Analytical evaluation of three-center nuclear-attraction integrals over s-Slater orbitals for asymmetrical conformations of the centers

Analytical formulas for three-center nuclear-attraction integrals over Slater orbitals are given for any location of the three atomic centers. In the mathematical derivations the Neumann expansion has been used and new general auxiliary integrals which depend on the elliptical coordinates of one of the centers are defined. The orbital exponents within the integrals may be different.     

A new specifically designed calix[8]arene for the synthesis of functionalized, nanometric and subnanometric Pd, Pt and Ru nanoparticles

A new thioester functionalized calix[8]arene derivative is used for the synthesis of metallic Pd, Pt and Ru nanoparticles, exhibiting several interesting features such as stability and remarkable surface functionalization. Crystalline particles of very small dimensions and good dispersion have been obtained.     

Synthetic approaches to N(delta)-methylated L-arginine, N(omega)-hydroxy-L-arginine, L-citrulline, and N(delta)-cyano-L-ornithine

Nomega-Methylated arginines such as asymmetric dimethyl-L-arginine (ADMA) and monomethyl-l-arginine (NMMA) are known as potent physiological inhibitors of nitric oxide synthases (NOSs). To explore a possible physiological and pharmaceutical relevance of N(delta)-methylated analogues, a synthetic scheme had to be developed that would not lead to N(delta)-methyl-L-arginine only but also to its presumed metabolites of NOS catalysis. Two basic synthetic approaches have been pursued to obtain N(delta)-methylated derivatives of L-ornithine, L-citrulline, L-arginine, and N(omega)-hydroxy-L-arginine. A first attempt utilized conventionally protected L-ornithine, i.e., the tert-butyl ester and Boc-amine, and led to three end compounds in excellent yields. Simultaneous protection of the alpha-amino acid moiety by formation of boroxazolidinones, particularly by employing 9-borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane (9-BBN-H), proved to be a convenient option to perform side chain modifications and led to all of the desired end compounds. Additionally, enantiomeric excess (ee, %) of crucial synthetic intermediates and end compounds was determined by chiral HPLC.     

(N-Arylaminomethyl)pyridine-N-oxides: Synthesis and characterization of potential ligand systems and the formation of their N,O-chelate aluminum complexes

Pyridine-N-oxide-2-carbaldehyde (4a) was converted to the corresponding imine (5a) by treatment with 2,6-diisopropylaniline. Subsequent reduction with a sodium borohydride gave the corresponding (N-arylaminomethyl)pyridine-N-oxide derivative (6a). A series of analogous compounds was prepared starting from the respective (aldimino)quinoline-N-oxide (4b) or (ketimino)pyridine-N-oxide (10) systems. Deprotonation of the (aminomethyl)pyridine-N-oxides resulted in a series of unexpected reactions, such as coupling, internal redox reactions or fragmentation. Eventually, the N,O-chelate aluminum complexes (22, 23) derived from the (aminoethyl)pyridine-N-oxide ligand systems could be obtained by treatment of the respective iminopyridine-N-oxides with trimethylaluminum. Many products were characterized by X-ray diffraction.     

Molecular analysis of the kirromycin biosynthetic gene cluster revealed beta-alanine as precursor of the pyridone moiety

Kirromycin is a complex linear polyketide that acts as a protein biosynthesis inhibitor by binding to the bacterial elongation factor Tu. The kirromycin biosynthetic gene cluster was isolated from the producer, Streptomyces collinus Tü 365, and confirmed by targeted disruption of essential biosynthesis genes. Kirromycin is synthesized by a large hybrid polyketide synthase (PKS)/nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) encoded by the genes kirAI-kirAVI. This complex involves some very unusual features, including the absence of internal acyltransferase (AT) domains in KirAI-KirAV, multiple split-ups of PKS modules on separate genes, and swapping in the domain organization. Interestingly, one PKS enzyme, KirAVI, contains internal AT domains. Based on in silico analysis, a route to pyridone formation involving PKS and NRPS steps was postulated. This hypothesis was experimentally proven by feeding studies with [U-13C3(15)N]beta-alanine and NMR and MS analyses of the isolated pure kirromycin.     

SERS--a single-molecule and nanoscale tool for bioanalytics

Surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) at extremely high enhancement level turns the weak inelastic scattering effect of photons on vibrational quantum states into a structurally sensitive single-molecule and nanoscale probe. The effect opens up exciting opportunities for applications of vibrational spectroscopy in biology. The concept of SERS can be extended to two-photon excitation by exploiting surface enhanced hyper-Raman scattering (SEHRS). This critical review introduces the physics behind single-molecule SERS and discusses the capabilities of the effect in bioanalytics (100 references).     

Anchoring of histidine-tagged proteins to molecular printboards: self-assembly, thermodynamic modeling, and patterning

In this paper the multivalent binding of hexahistidine (His6)-tagged proteins to beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) by using the nickel(II) complex of a hetero-divalent orthogonal adamantyl nitrilotriacetate linker (4) is described. Nonspecific interactions were suppressed by using monovalent adamantyl-hexa(ethylene glycol) derivative 3. With the mono-His6-tagged maltose binding protein (His6-MBP), thermodynamic modeling based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) titration data showed that the MBP molecules in solution were linked, on average, to Ni.4 in 1:1 stoichiometry. On the surface, however, the majority of His(6)-MBP was complexed to surface-immobilized beta-CDs through three Ni.4 complexes. This difference is explained by the high effective beta-CD concentration at the surface and is a new example of supramolecular interfacial expression. In a similar adsorption scheme, SPR proved that the alpha-proteasome could be attached to beta-CD SAMs in a specific manner. Patterning through microcontact printing of (His6)4-DsRed-fluorescent timer (DsRed-FT), which is a tetrameric, visible autofluorescent protein, was carried out in the presence of Ni.4 Fluorescence measurements showed that the (His6)4-DsRed-FT is bound strongly through Ni.4 to the molecular printboard.     

Hierarchical self-assembly of aminopyrazole peptides into nanorosettes in water

Self-association of aminopyrazole peptide hybrid 1 leads to stacked nanorosettes. This remarkable, well-ordered structure obeys the laws of nucleic acid self-assembly. In a strictly hierarchical process, formation of aminopyrazole "base" triplets via a hydrogen bond network is accompanied by pi-stacking with a second rosette and final dimerization of two double rosettes to a four-layer superstructure, stabilized by a six-fold half-crown alkylammonium lock. The final complex is soluble in organic as well as in aqueous solution. It was characterized in the solid state by X-ray crystallography, in water by NMR spectroscopy, and in silico by quantum chemical shift calculation. All these methods provide strong evidence for the same hexameric complex geometry. Its structural features bear striking similarity to nucleic acid architectures and their peptidic counterparts, especially alanyl-PNA. The whole self-assembly process is highly solvent- and temperature-dependent and occurs with a high degree of cooperativity--no intermediates are observed. Formation and dissociation of the nanorosette, however, are kinetically slow. The limitation to a hexameric aggregate can be explained by six sterically demanding valine residues, whose replacement by alanines may result in formation of infinite fibers.     

Reactivity of Pt0 complexes toward gallium(III) halides: synthesis of a platinum gallane complex and oxidative addition of gallium halides to Pt0

The reaction of [Pt(PCy 3) 2] and GaCl 3 resulted in quantitative formation of the adduct [(Cy 3P) 2Pt-GaCl 3], the first known platinum gallane complex. Although similar reactivity with GaBr 3 and GaI 3 was expected, NMR spectroscopic data revealed a different reaction course. Crystal structure determination proved that, in the latter case, the product of the oxidative addition was formed. The resulting platinum gallyl complexes represent the first example of an oxidative addition of gallium(III) halides to low-valent transition metals.     

Accurate Extraction of Nanometer Distances in Multimers by Pulse EPR

Pulse electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) is gaining increasing importance in structural biology. The PELDOR (pulsed electron–electron double resonance) method allows extracting distance information on the nanometer scale. Here, we demonstrate the efficient extraction of distances from multimeric systems such as membrane‐embedded ion channels where data analysis is commonly hindered by multi‐spin effects.