Human topoisomerase I poisoning: docking protoberberines into a structure-based binding site model

Summary Using the X-ray crystal structure of the human topoisomerase I (top1) – DNA cleavable complex and the Sybyl software package, we have developed a general model for the ternary cleavable complex formed with four protoberberine alkaloids differing in the substitution on the terminal phenyl rings and covering a broad range of the top1-poisoning activities. This model has the drug intercalated with its planar chromophore between the −1 and +1 base pairs flanking the cleavage site, with the nonplanar portion pointing into the minor groove. The ternary complexes were geometry-optimized and relative interaction energies, computed by using the Tripos force field, were found to rank in correct order the biological potency of the compounds; in addition, the model is also consistent with the top1-poisoning inactivity of berberine, a major prototype of the protoberberine alkaloids. The model might serve as a rational basis for elaboration of the most active compound as a lead structure, in order to develop more potent top1 poisons as next generation anti-cancer drugs.     

ATRP grafting of styrene from benzyl chloride functionalized polysiloxanes: An AFM and TGA study of the Cu(0)/bpy catalyst

Various combinations of Cu(0), CuCl, 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy) and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) were used as catalysts for the grafting polymerizations of styrene from polysiloxane macroinitiators functionalized with benzyl chloride. While Cu(0)/bpy alone promotes the grafting, narrower polydispersities were obtained in the presence of CuCl. Analysis of the Cu(0) surface before and after polymerization by a combination of AFM, TGA and FTIR investigations reveals the formation of bpy or phen films on Cu(0). In the presence of CuCl, the ligand film appears decorated with CuCl particles which increase in size with increasing the CuCl concentration. The initial layer occurs most likely as a result of complexation between the ligands and the Cu(0) surface and acts as a support for the rest of the film. These observations are consistent with the film formation on Cu(0) from related nitrogen donors and indicate that the reactivity of the Cu surface may depend not only on its prior treatment but also on the deposition of ligands from the reaction mixture.     

catena‐Poly[[copper(II)‐μ‐2‐[bis­(2‐pyridylmeth­yl)amino]butyrato‐κ4N,N′,N′′,O:κO′] perchlorate]

The copper(II) ion in the syn–anti carboxyl­ate‐bridged one‐dimensional zigzag chain title complex, {[Cu(C₁₆H₁₈N₃O₂)]ClO₄}_n, exhibits a distorted trigonal–bipyramidal environment. Two N atoms and one carboxyl­ate O atom of the ligand form the basal plane, while the axial positions are filled by an N atom of the ligand and one O atom belonging to the carboxyl­ate group of an adjacent mol­ecule. The crystal packing is enhanced by C—H⋯O(perchlorate) hydrogen bonds.     

Long-range interaction in the D and D′ states of H2

The interaction energy between two hydrogen atoms in the D and D′ ¹Π_u states of the hydrogen molecule has been calculated for large internuclear distances (12 ? R ? 25 bohr). The variational method and a very flexible trial wave-function were used. The results indicate that for the states under consideration the Rayleigh-Schrödinger perturbation theory with the multipole expansion of the interaction hamiltonian gives reliable results only for R > 25 bohr i.e. in the region where the interaction energies are practically negligible.     

Simple Method for Simultaneous Determination of Selenium and Arsenic in Human Hair by Means of Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry with Hydride Generation Technique

This study describes a simple, rapid and reliable method for simultaneous determination of selenium and arsenic in human hair by means of atomic fluorescence spectrometry combined with a hydride generation technique (HG-AFS). The procedure developed encompasses microwave digestion of a sample in the nitric acid environment only. The interferences caused by nitrous oxides are eliminated by removing a gas from above the digested solution with a stream of argon. The sample is then chemically treated in a flow-through hydride generation system and exposed to measurements in a double-channel atomic fluorescence spectrometer. The method permits determining both analytes in the linear range of 0.5–100µgL^–1 with a detection limit equal to 0.2µgL^–1, as well as with very good repeatability not exceeding 1% for Se and 2% for As. No mutual interferences from either of the analytes in the concentrations ranges matching the hair composition were found. The method was verified in terms of accuracy with the use of a reference material and then applied to the analysis of the natural samples of human hair.     

Reaction of Trimethylbenzene over Alumina-Pillared Montmorillonite

The reaction of trimethylbenzene (TMB) over alumina-pillared montmorillonite (Al-PM) had been investigated in a fixed-bed flow reactor at 300 °C and atmospheric pressure. Al-PM calcined in the range 300-500 °C exhibited decreased layer distance, surface area and acid amount. The strong acid sites of Al-PM calcined at 500 °C were greatly diminished according to measurements of ammonia temperature-programmed desorption. Under our conditions the reaction proceeded mainly via isomerization and disproportionation with little dealkylation. The conversion of reactant decreased in the order 1,2,3-TMB ≥ 1,2,4-TMB > 1,3,5-TMB and the selectivity of isomerization in the order 1,2,3-TMB > 1,3,5-TMB > 1,2,4-TMB, corresponding to the order of diminishing thermal instability. Both the catalytic activity and the selectivity ratio of disproportionation to isomerization decreased with increased calcined temperature and time-on-stream. o-Xylene content in the total xylene produced from 1,2,4-TMB or 1,2,3-TMB greatly exceeded the composition at thermodynamic equilibrium. These results arc consistent with the decrease of both the strong acid sites and the pore size of Al-PM which exhibits the restricted transition state selectivity.     

TheSemmler-Wolff aromatization andSchmidt reaction applied to some pyrido[2′,3′:3,4]pyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]benzotriazines

Pyrido[2,3:3,4]pyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]benzotriazin-4(1H)ones were transformed via their oximes in aSemmler-Wolff aromatization process in the tetracyclic heteroaromatic amines4 or bySchmidt reaction into a mixture of the same amine4 and a ring enlarged lactam3. Syntheses of some halo pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridines and a photochemical transformation of 3-azidopyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine are also described.

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Über dieSemmler-Wolff- undSchmidt-Reaktion einiger Pyrido[2,3:3,4]pyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]benzotriazine

Zusammenfassung Pyrido[23:3,4]pyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]benzotriazin-4(1H)one werden über Oxime in einerSemmler-Wolff-Reaktion in die tetracyklischen aromatischen Amine4 umgewandelt. In einerSchmidt-Reaktion wurden dieselben Ketone in ein Gemisch aus Amin4 und Lactam3 übergeführt. Synthesen von halogensubstituierten Pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridinen und photochemische Umwandlung von 3-Azidopyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridin werden beschrieben.

     

Self-assembly of rectangles and prisms via a molecular "clip"

Aromatic molecular "clips" bearing two symmetrically bound platinum moieties have been prepared. The molecular "clip" 4 readily self-assembled with linear linkers such as 4,4'-bipyridyl, 1,4-bis[2-(4-isocyano-3,5-diisopropylphenyl)ethynyl]benzene, and nicotinic acid to form molecular rectangles. The overall dimensions of the rectangle 7 were 7.3 Angstroms x 15.3 Angstroms. The molecular "clip" also self-assembled with tritopic pyridyl and isocyanide ligands to form trigonal prismatic frameworks. The characterization of the supramolecules by multinuclear NMR, electrospray mass spectrometry, and X-ray crystal structures is also reported.     

A method for the palladium-catalyzed allylic oxidation of olefins

Olefins are converted into allylic acetates by treatment in acetic acid with a catalytic amount of palladium bis(trifluoroacetate) and one equivalent of benzoquinone as oxidant. The reaction is selective for oxidation of a terminal methyl group of geranylacetone.     

Preparation and characterization of electrodeposited Ni-Ru alloys: morphological and catalytic study

Nickel-ruthenium alloys with various compositions have been deposited by electrodeposition for the first time. Cyclic voltammetry and linear stripping voltammetry measurements show that codeposition of nickel with ruthenium is possible below the potential value of nickel reduction. High-quality alloys containing nickel and ruthenium can be plated at cathodic potentials ranging from − 0.5 to − 1.0 V vs SCE. Deposited coatings were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The diffractograms obtained show that an increase of nickel concentration in alloy will lead to a change in the phase composition and formation of NiRu (100) and (101) phases which is observed to be 78 mas.% Ni. SEM studies confirm the surface homogeneity and presence of small, regular grains. AFM observation allows the estimation of the real surface area of obtained alloys which increase with more negative electrodeposition potentials. Ni-Ru alloys were found to be highly electroactive in the water splitting process, which can be connected with the presence of the NiRu phase and a well-developed electroactive area.

Electrochemical deposition of Ni-Ru alloys with various composition and their catalytic activity in water splitting process