Interaction of copper(II) and palladium(II) with linked 2,2′-dipyridylamine derivatives: Synthetic and structural studies

Interaction of copper(II) salts with 2,2′-dipyridylamine (1), N-cyclohexylmethyl-2,2′-dipyridylamine (2), di-2-pyridylaminomethylbenzene (3), 1,2-bis(di-2-pyridylaminomethyl)-benzene (4), 1,3-bis(di-2-pyridylaminomethyl)benzene (5), 1,4-bis(di-2-pyridylaminomethyl)benzene (6), 1,3,5-tris(di-2-pyridylaminomethyl)benzene (7) and 1,2,4,5-tetrakis(di-2-pyridylaminomethyl)benzene (8) has yielded the following complexes: [Cu(2)(μ-Cl)Cl]₂, [Cu(3)(μ-Cl)Cl]₂ · H₂O, [Cu₂(4)(NO₃)₄], [Cu₂(5)(NO₃)₄] · 2CH₃OH, [Cu₂(6)(CH₃OH)₂(NO₃)₄], [Cu₄(8)](NO₃)₄] · 4H₂O while complexation of palladium(II) with 1, 4, 5 and 6 gave [Pd(1)₂](PF₆)₂ · 2CH₃OH, [Pd₂(4)Cl₄], [Pd₂(4)(OAc)₄], [Pd₂(5)Cl₄], [Pd₂(6)Cl₄] and [Pd₂(6)(OAc)₄] · CH₂Cl₂, respectively. X-ray structures of [Cu(2)(μ-Cl)Cl]₂, [Cu(3)(μ-Cl)Cl]₂ · 2C₂H₅OH, [Cu₂(6)(CH₃OH)₂(NO₃)₄], [Pd(1)₂](PF₆)₂ · 2CH₃OH, [Pd₂(4)(OAc)₄] · 4H₂O and [Pd₂(6)(OAc)₄] · 2CH₂Cl₂ are reported. In part, the inherent flexibility of the respective ligands has resulted in the adoption of a diverse range of coordination geometries and lattice arrangements, with the structures of [Pd₂(4)(OAc)₄] · 4H₂O and [Pd₂(6)(OAc)₄] · 2CH₂Cl₂, incorporating the isomeric ligands 4 and 6, showing some common features. Liquid–liquid (H₂O/CHCl₃) extraction experiments involving copper(II) and 1–3, 5, 7and 8 show that the degree of extraction depends markedly on the number of dpa-subunits (and concomitant lipophilicity) of the ligand employed with the tetrakis-dpa derivative 8 acting as the most efficient extractant of the six ligand systems investigated.     

Amino-terminal dimerization of an erythropoietin mimetic peptide results in increased erythropoietic activity

Background: Erythropoietin (EPO), the hormone involved in red blood cell production, activates its receptor by binding to the receptor's extracellular domain and presumably dimerizing two receptor monomers to initiate signal transduction. EPO-mimetic peptides, such as EMP1, also bind and activate the receptor by dimerization. These mimetic peptides are not as potent as EPO, however. The crystal structure of the EPO receptor (EBP) bound to EMP1 reveals the formation of a complex consisting of two peptides bound to two receptors, so we sought to improve the biological activity of EPO-mimetic peptides by constructing covalent dimers of EMP1 and other peptide mimetics linked by polyethylene glycol (PEG).Results: The potency of the PEG-dimerized EPO peptide mimetics both in vitro and in vivo was improved up to 1,000-fold compared to the corresponding peptide monomers. The dinners were constructed using peptide monomers which have only one reactive amine per molecule, allowing us to conclude that the increase in potency can be attributed to a structure in which two peptides are linked through their respective amino termini to the difunctional PEG molecule. In addition, an inactive peptide was converted into a weak agonist by PEG-induced dimerization.Conclusions: The potency of previously isolated peptides that are modest agonists of the EPO receptor was dramatically increased by PEG-induced dimerization. The EPO receptor is thought to be dimerized during activation, so our results are consistent with the proposed 2:2 receptor : peptide stoichiometry. The conversion of an inactive peptide into an agonist further supports the idea that dimerization can mediate receptor activation.     

Sulfate‐Selective Recognition by Using Neutral Dipeptide Anion Receptors in Aqueous Solution

The synthesis of six small peptide anion receptors based on thiourea and squaramide recognition moieties is described. These new receptors bind to tetrahedral sulfate anions with remarkable affinity and selectivity in aqueous solution as shown by NMR spectroscopy. Molecular modelling suggests that selectivity is mediated by a hydrogen bond network incorporating the amide backbone protons in a manner similar to that found in the sulfate‐binding protein.     

Neutral (bis-beta-diketonato) iron(III), cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II) and zinc(II) metallocycles: structural, electrochemical and solvent extraction studies

Neutral dimeric metallocyclic complexes of type [M(2)(L(1))(2)B(n)] (where M = cobalt(II), nickel(II) and zinc(II), L(1) is the doubly deprotonated form of a 1,3-aryl linked bis-beta-diketone ligand of type 1,3-bis(RC(O)CH(2)C(O))C(6)H(4) (R=Me, n-Pr, t-Bu) and B is pyridine (Py) or 4-ethylpyridine (EtPy)) have been synthesised, adding to similar complexes already reported for copper(II). New lipophilic ligand derivatives with R = octyl or nonyl were also prepared for use in solvent extraction experiments. Structural, electrochemical and solvent extraction investigations of selected metal complex systems from the above series are reported, with the X-ray structures of [Co(2)(L(1))(2)(Py)(4)] x 2.25CHCl(3) x 0.5H(2)O (R=Pr), [Co(2)(L(1))(2)(EtPy)(4)] (R=t-Bu), [Ni(2)(L(1))(2)(EtPy)(4)] (R=t-Bu), [Zn(2)(L(1))(2)(EtPy)(2)] (R=Me) and [Zn(2)(L(1))(2)(EtPy)(4)] (R=t-Bu) being presented. The electrochemistry of H(2)L(1) (R=t-Bu) and of [Fe(2)(L(1))(3)], [Co(2)(L(1))(2)(Py)(4)], [Ni(2)(L(1))(2)(Py)(4)], [Cu(2)(L(1))(2)] and [Zn(2)(L(1))(2)(Py)(2)] has been examined. Oxidative processes for the complexes are dominantly irreversible, but several examples of quasireversible behaviour were observed and support the assignment of an anodic process, seen between +1.0 and +1.6 V, as a metal-centred oxidation. The reduction processes for the respective metal complexes are not simple, and irreversible in most cases. Solvent extraction studies (water/chloroform) involving variable concentrations of metal, bis-beta-diketone and heterocyclic base have been performed for cobalt(II) and zinc(II) using a radiotracer technique to probe the stoichiometries of the extracted species in each case. Synergism was observed when 4-ethylpyridine was added to the bis-beta-diketone ligand in the chloroform phase. Competitive extraction studies show a clear uptake preference for copper(II) over cobalt(II), nickel(II), zinc(II) and cadmium(II).     

Hybrid cyclic peptide-thiourea cryptands for anion recognition

Two cyclic peptide derived cryptands incorporating thioureas in the framework were synthesised as neutral anion receptors and bind acetate ions with high affinity and, in one case, good selectivity.     

An expanded neutral M4L6 cage that encapsulates four tetrahydrofuran molecules

A large 4,4'-biphenylene-spaced bis-β-diketone ligand is demonstrated to form a neutral tetrahedral M(4)L(6) metal-organic cage that encloses a volume of 844 ?(3) and encapsulates four tetrahydrofuran guest molecules.     

Liquid�Cliquid extraction studies with 4,4��-biphenylene-spaced bis-��-diketones

4,4??-biphenylene spaced lipophilic bis-??-diketone ligands of the type 4,4??-bis(RC(O)CH₂C(O))C₁₂H₈ (R = Pr, Ph, hexyl, octyl, nonyl) have been prepared and used for the liquid?Cliquid extraction of d-block metal ions. These ligands are expected to interact with divalent metal ions to form charge-neutral trinuclear metallocycles of type [M₃(L ³ )₃(solvent)] as has been demonstrated with the previously reported derivative of H₂ L ³ (R =  ^t Bu), the X-ray structure of which is reported. Liquid?Cliquid extraction studies were performed in a two-phase water/chloroform system employing a radiotracer technique for cobalt(II) and zinc(II). These experiments involved the systematic variation of ligand, metal and 4-ethylpyridine concentrations to probe the stoichiometries of the species extracted. Synergistic extraction was observed when 4-ethylpyridine was present with the ligand in the organic phase. Competitive extraction studies demonstrated the ligands are highly selective for copper(II) over cobalt(II), nickel(II), zinc(II) and cadmium(II).