New stereoselective preparation of (Z)-3-perfluoroalkyl-3-magnesiated enoates by an iodine-magnesium exchange reaction

(Z)-Ethyl-3-perfluoroalkyl-3-magnesiated crotonates were prepared from (Z)-ethyl-3-perfluoroalkyl-3-iodo enoates by iodine-magnesium exchange reaction with isopropylmagnesium bromide in THF at -78 degrees C. These new reagents reacted with a range of electrophiles, leading to polyfunctional products bearing a perfluoroalkyl group.     

Mapping the potential energy surface of the tolylcarbene rearrangement in the inner phase of a hemicarcerand

Photolysis of p-tolyldiazirine (6) in the inner phase of a hemicarcerand with four butane-1,4-dioxy linker groups (5) in C(6)D(5)CD(3) at 77 K yields the 5-methylcycloheptatetraene hemicarceplex 5 circle 3b in 41% together with innermolecular reaction products resulting from an insertion of transient p-tolylcarbene (1b) into an acetal C-H or linker C-O bond of 5 and from the addition of 1b to an aryl unit of 5. The yield of incarcerated 3b increased up to 67% if 6 is photolyzed inside a hemicarcerand with deuterated spanners and butane-1,4-dioxy linker groups (d(48)-5). Hemicarceplex 5 circle 3b is not formed if the photolysis is carried out in CDCl(3). Incarcerated 3b is stable at room temperature in the absence of oxygen and is characterized by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. In the presence of oxygen, 3b reacts quantitatively to yield toluene and CO(2). Upon heating solutions of d(48)-5 circle 3b in C(6)D(5)CD(3), 3b rearranges to 1b and m-tolylcarbene (18). Both tolylcarbenes immediately react with the surrounding host. From a product analysis and the measured rate constants for the thermal decomposition of d(48)-5 circle 3b in the temperature range 70-102 degrees C, the activation parameters for the 3b to 1b and 3b to 18 rearrangements are calculated (3b to 1b: DeltaG(373)++ = 27.3 +/- 1.4 kcal/mol, DeltaH(373)++ = 26.4 +/- 1.0 kcal/mol, TDeltaS(373)++ = -0.9 +/- 1.0 kcal/mol; 3b to 18: DeltaG(373)++ = 27.8 +/- 1.4 kcal/mol, DeltaH(373)++ = 19.7 +/- 1.0 kcal/mol, TDeltaS(373)++ = 8.1 +/- 1.0 kcal/mol). These values are compared with those calculated by Geise and Hadad at the B3LYP/6-311+G** level of theory (Geise, C. M.; Hadad, C. M. J. Org. Chem. 2002, 67, 2532-2540). The slightly higher inner phase activation free energy of the 3b to 18 rearrangement is explained through steric constraints imposed by the surrounding hemicarcerand on the transition state. The enthalpy-entropy compensation observed for the 3b to 18 rearrangement is discussed and interpreted as a result of a hemicarcerand and solvent reorganization along the reaction coordinate. It is taken as indirect evidence for the intermediacy of 2-methylbicyclo[4.1.0]hepta-2,4,6-triene in the 3b to 18 rearrangement.     

Photosensitization of DNA damage by a new cationic pyropheophorbide derivative: sequence-specific formation of a frank scission

Pyropheophorbides are red-absorbing porphyrin-like photosensitizers that may interact with DNA either by intercalation or by external binding with self-stacking according to the value of the nucleotide to chromophore molar ratio (N/C). This article reports on the nature and sequence selectivity of the DNA damage photoinduced by a water-soluble chlorhydrate of aminopyropheophorbide. First, this pyropheophorbide is shown to induce on irradiation the cleavage of phiX174 DNA by both Type-I and -II mechanisms, suggested by scavengers and D2O effects. These conclusions are then improved by sequencing experiments performed on a 20-mer oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) irradiated at wavelengths >345 nm in the presence of the dye, N/C varying from 2.5 to 0.5. Oxidation of all guanine residues to the same extent is observed after piperidine treatment on both single- and double-stranded ODN. Moreover, unexpectedly, a remarkable sequence-selective cleavage occurring at a 5'-CG-3' site is detected before alkali treatment. This frank break is clearly predominant for a low nucleotide to chromophore molar ratio, corresponding to a self-stacking of the dye along the DNA helix. The electrophoretic properties of the band suggest that this lesion results from a sugar oxidation, which leads via a base release to a ribonolactone residue. The proposal is supported by high-performance liquid chromatography-matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization mass spectrometry experiments that also reveal other sequence-selective frank scissions of lower intensity at 5'-GC-3' or other 5'-CG-3' sites. This sequence selectivity is discussed with regard to the binding selectivity of cationic porphyrins.     

Light-induced degradation of the active layer of polymer-based solar cells

Polymer-based organic solar cells are known to offer a poor stability in real use conditions, and the photodegradation of the active organic layer plays an important role in the reduced lifetime of the devices. This paper focuses on the photodegradation of two conjugated polymers used in organic solar cells, namely poly(2-methoxy-5-(3′,7′-dimethyloctyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene (MDMO-PPV) and poly(3-hexyylthiophene) (P3HT), and their blends with [60]PCBM (methano-fullerene[6,6]-phenyl C61-butyric acid methyl ester), a fullerene derivative. MDMO-PPV and P3HT thin films were submitted to photoageing (λ > 300 nm) in the presence and in the absence of oxygen. The mechanisms by which these polymers degrade were elucidated. P3HT, pristine and blended with PCBM, was shown to be much more stable under illumination than MDMO-PPV. The results showed that, if deposited on an inert substrate and well protected from oxygen with a convenient encapsulation, P3HT:PCBM based active layer should be intrinsically stable for several years in use conditions.     

Selection of suitable operating conditions to minimize the gradient equilibration time in the separation of drugs by Ultra-High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography with volatile (mass spectrometry-compatible) buffers

Reversed phase gradient elution is the method of choice for pharmaceuticals analysis since it allows reducing the analysis time while improving both the quality of the separation and the detection limits. The current trends are towards faster separations which can be achieved thanks to equipments withstanding ultra-high pressures and/or high temperatures. Under such conditions, gradient separations can be carried out within a few minutes or even a few tens of seconds. A long equilibration time in addition to the gradient time can be therefore very detrimental. In this work, we investigated the extent to which the gradient equilibration time can be reduced and which parameters mainly affect the retention variability of ionizable compounds when using volatile buffers. We first found out an excellent repeatability between run-to-run experiments whatever the equilibration time and the operating conditions. We then pointed out the key operating parameters which allow achieving reproducible runs when varying the equilibration time between runs. With a view of reducing the equilibration time, the effects of various conditions were examined. The latter include the type of additive for mobile phase pH adjustment, the initial eluent composition, the type of stationary phase, the temperature and the flow-rate. Although much remains to be understood about the equilibration process, our study allows making progress in the knowledge of this phenomenon. Based on the present results, a beneficial effect of both temperature and flow-rate was highlighted and operating conditions leading to faster column equilibration are suggested.     

Chemistry of the versatile (hydroxymethyl)phosphinyl P(O)CH2OH functional group

(Hydroxymethyl)phosphorus compounds are well-known and valuable compounds in general; however the use of (hydroxymethyl)phosphinates R(1)P(O)(OR(2))CH(2)OH in particular has been much more limited. The potential of this functionality has not yet been fully realized because the mild unmasking of the hydroxymethyl group was not available. The mild oxidative conversion of R(1)P(O)(OR(2))CH(2)OH into R(1)P(O)(OR(2))H using the Corey-Kim oxidation is described. Other reactions preserving the methylene carbon are also reported.     

Atropoisomeric quinolinium salt promoting the access to both enantiomeric forms of methyl mandelate: a versatile NADH mimic

Asymmetric reduction of methyl benzoylformate by a new NADH mimic is reported; depending on the hydride source used to reduce the NAD+ precursor, NADH mimics so obtained lead to an inversion of enantioselectivity, affording either (R)-methyl mandelate in 88% ee or (S)-methyl mandelate in 78% ee.     

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.     

Analysis of basic compounds at high pH values by reversed-phase liquid chromatography

Reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography (RPLC) is currently the method of choice for the analysis of basic compounds. However, with traditional silica materials, secondary interactions between the analyte and residual silanols produce peak tailing which can negatively affect resolution, sensitivity, and reproducibility. In order to reduce these secondary interactions, which comprise ion exchange, hydrogen bonding, and London forces interactions, chromatographic analyses can be carried out at low or high pH values where silanol groups and basic compounds are mostly uncharged. The chromatographic behaviour of a particular bidentate stationary phase, Zorbax Extend C18, was studied with a set of basic and neutral compounds. Thanks to a higher chemical stability than traditional silica based supports, analyses were carried out with a high pH mobile phase, which represents a good alternative to the acidic mobile phases generally used to reduce ion exchange interactions. The performance of this bidentate stationary phase was also compared with that of other supports and it was proved that it is advantageous to work with high pH mobile phases when analyzing basic compounds.     

Very general formation of tetrahydropterin cation radicals during reaction of iron porphyrins with tetrahydropterins: model for the corresponding NO-synthase reaction

Electron transfer from tetrahydropterins to iron porphyrins, with formation of intermediate tetrahydropterin cation radicals, is a very general reaction that was shown to occur not only with tetrahydrobiopterin, as originally found in NO-synthases, but also with another important biological cofactor, tetrahydrofolate, and various iron porphyrins, either in their ferric state, or in the Fe(II)O(2) state, as in the first model of the corresponding NO-synthase reaction described in this paper.