Photochemical structuring and fixing of structures in binary polymer brush layers via 2pi+2pi photodimerization

Binary polymer brushes grafted to Si wafers were prepared from hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymer components, which allow switching the surface properties (as revealed by contact angles) by exposure to varying solvents. The hydrophilic component was poly-2-vinylpyridine; the hydrophobic component was a copolymer of styrene and 2-(4-vinylphenyl)indene containing the photodimerizable phenylindene chromophore. The brushes were prepared via thermal and via photochemical grafting-to methods, which led to distinct layer thicknesses. Structural patterns differing in surface properties were produced and fixed via crosslinking the hydrophobic component by 2pi+2pi photodimerization of phenylindene moieties. The patterns were visually observable.     

Protein Prenylation: An (Almost) Comprehensive Overview on Discovery History, Enzymology, and Significance in Physiology and Disease

Summary. Since 1979, when prenylation has been first discovered as chemical oddity of a yeast mating factor, the two forms of this posttranslational modification of proteins (farnesylation and geranylgeranylation) have been found as wide spread among proteins from Eukarya and their viruses. This review attempts to summarize as comprehensively as possible the enzymological processes of prenylation and the various aspects of their biological significance. The substrate proteins of prenyltransferases are known to carry a sequence signal composed of a cysteine-containing 4–5 residue stretch at the utmost C-terminal end that is N-terminally preceded by a flexible and polar linker region of ca. 10 residues. Postprenylation processing of substrate proteins can involve C-terminal proteolysis, C-terminal carboxyl methylation, and other steps of maturation. The prenyl anchor functions as module for membrane attachment or for protein–protein interaction. Prenyl anchor carrying proteins fulfill a large array of functions in signaling and regulation of cellular processes. Therefore, they are involved in the pathogenesis of a variety of human diseases, the most prominent one being cancer. Farnesyltransferase inhibitors show surprisingly high efficiency in controlling tumor growth in model systems but, so far, clinical trials with human patients have remained without the desired success. Interference into prenylation pathways appears also a promising treatment principle in a variety of parasitic diseases.     

Synthese von 15-Hydroxy[9]metacyclophan

Synthesis of 15-Hydroxy[9]metacyclophane 3-(1-Nitro-2-oxocyclododecyl)propanal ( 1 ) was converted to 15-hydroxy[9]metacyclophane ( 3 ) on two different routes. In the first case the internal aldol reaction product of 1 was treated with K₂CO₃/THF to give 3 in 29 % yield with regard to cyclododecanone. Alternatively, the aldehyde 1 reacted with a primary amine to form e.g. 4 which gave 3 in the presence of CH₃I/K₂CO₃ in 48 % yield.     

Phospholipid mesophases at solid interfaces: in-situ X-ray diffraction and spin-label studies

In this work, we report on recent investigations, both on the global and on the local molecular architecture of supported phospholipid model membranes. A brief theoretical introduction explains how global structural information on supramolecular lipid ensembles can be retrieved from surface X-ray diffraction measurements as well as how spin-label electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR) provides complementary information on the local environment of probe molecules. The combination of especially designed X-ray cells with the technique of small- and wide-angle X-ray surface scattering makes it possible to explore various fields of lipid research and its applications. Examples for different physico-chemical conditions are presented: (i) in situ chemistry under excess of water conditions demonstrating how solid-supported lipid films sense salinity, (ii) the 3D electron density reconstruction of a vesicle-fusion intermediate under controlled humidity, and (iii) complementary temperature and pressure effects on oriented phospholipid samples. Further, special attention has been given to the influence of different film preparation techniques with respect to quality and the defect structure manifestation. To resolve the proportions and local properties of defects in a hydrated lipid-deposited surface, spin-label EPR was applied. The results from 9.6 GHz EPR as well as from 1.2 GHz EPR suggest the alignment to be in the range between 30% and 80%. In addition, slow time-dependent EPR measurements point to nano-structural rearrangements due to water flow and reduction of alignment quality.     

1H detection in MAS solid-state NMR spectroscopy of biomacromolecules employing pulsed field gradients for residual solvent suppression

In this communication, we demonstrate the feasibility of 1H detection in MAS solid-state NMR for a microcrystalline, uniformly 2H,15N-labeled sample of a SH3 domain of chicken alpha-spectrin, using pulsed field gradients for suppression of water magnetization. Today, B0 gradients are employed routinely in solution-state NMR for coherence order selection and solvent suppression. We suggest to use gradients to purge water magnetization which cannot be suppressed using conventional water suppression schemes. The achievable gain in sensitivity for 1H detection is in the order of 5 compared to the 15N detected version of the experiment (at a MAS rotation frequency of 13.5 kHz). We expect that this labeling concept which achieves high sensitivity due to 1H detection, in combination with the possibility to measure long range 1H-1H distances as we have shown previously, to be a useful tool for the determination of protein structures in the solid state.     

Konstitution und absolute Konfiguration der Rhoeadin-Alkaloide (+)-Alpinigenin und (+)-cis-Alpinigenin

The constitution and absolute configuration of the rhoeadine alkaloids (+)-alpinigenine and (+)-cis-alpinigenine. The fundamental structure of the hemi-acetal phenylbenzazepine alkaloid (+)-alpinigenine ( 1 ), isolated from Papaver bracteatum LINDL ., was derived essentially from ¹H-NMR.- and mass-spectra of 1 and its derivatives 7, 10 and 14 (cf. Scheme 2). The positioning of the four methoxy groups in the two aromatic rings could be deduced from the ¹H-NMR.-spectra of the N-oxides 14 and 15 in which, as a result of favourable sterical and conformational behaviour, an interaction exists between the N-oxide oxygen atom and one of the two ortho protons in ring C. The B/D-trans-fused 1 undergoes isomerization in 1N HCl to cis-alpinigenine ( 16 ). A stereochemical correlation between bases in the trans-and cis-series was enabled via an Emde degradation of the corresponding methylacetal-methyliodides 21 resp. 19 leading to the enantiomeric isochroman derivatives 22 resp. 23 which are achiral at C (2) (Scheme 4). The configuration at C (14) in the hemi-acetals (eg. 1 and 16 ) and the methyl ethers (eg. 7 and 8 ) is discussed in detail (cf. Scheme 7). (+)-Alpinigenine ( 1 ) has the (1S, 2R, 14R) configuration and (+)-cis-alpinigenine ( 16 ), in chloroform or acetone solution, the (1R, 2R, 14R) configuration.     

Enamides via Long‐Distance Migration of Double Bonds

A new method for preparation of enamides (N‐(alken‐1‐yl) amides) by means of the ‘long‐distance' migration of the double bond in unsaturated amides in the presence of [Fe(CO)₅] is described. The method is shown to be particularly useful for the isomerization of N‐(but‐3‐enyl)amides, while, in the case of N‐(pent‐4‐enyl) and N‐(hex‐5‐enyl) amides the mixture of products was formed and the yield of the enamide was relatively low.     

Tritium in Lebensmitteln

In order to test the method of tritium determination and to determine the tritium activity, foods of known origin were investigated. The accuracy of the method over a prolonged period of time is confirmed by the statistical evaluation of the background values and of the counting efficiency. An average value of 600–800 pCi of tritium in one litre of water was found in milk, potatoes and apples. Drinking water contained very different activities of tritium, depending on its origin as ground or surface water. Food samples from the environment of nuclear reactors were not different in their tritium content when compared to those of other origin.     

Hexaphosphapentaprismane: a new gateway to organophosphorus cage compound chemistry

Several independent synthetic routes are described leading to the formation of a novel unsaturated tetracyclic phosphorus carbon cage compound tBu4C4P6 (1), which undergoes a light-induced valence isomerization to produce the first hexaphosphapentaprismane cage tBu4C4P6 (2). A second unsaturated isomer tBu4C4P6 (9) of 1 and the bis-[W(CO)5] complex 13 of 1 are stable towards similar isomerization reactions. Another starting material for the synthesis of the hexaphosphapentaprismane cage tBu4C4P6 (2) is the trimeric mercury complex [(tBu4C4P6)Hg]3 (11), which undergoes elimination of mercury to afford the title compound 2. Single-crystal X-ray structural determinations have been carried out on compounds 1, 2, 9, 11, and 13.