Cubane and step-form structures of dilithium bis(aryloxy)phosphines

The lithium complexes RP(3,5-tBu2C6H2OLi)2(THF)4, where R = Ph or i Pr, (R[OPO]Li2)2(THF)4, synthesized by reaction of the 2-bromo-4,6-di-tert-butylphenol with BuLi and the appropriate dichlorophosphine, possess solid state structures composed of lithium oxide tetragons arranged in a step-form or face sharing half-cubane arrangements. Incorporation of excess lithium aryloxide results in the formation of complexes that display an extended step-form structure, [Ph[OPO]Li2(ArOLi)]2, or a distorted cubane arrangement of tetragons, [iPr[OPO]Li3Cl(ArOLi)](THF)3.     

Antiplatelet aggregation coumarins from the leaves of Murraya omphalocarpa

Using a bioactivity-guided fractionation method, two coumarins: minumicroline acetonide (1) and epimurpaniculol senecioate (2), were isolated from the leaves of Murraya omphalocarpa Hayata (Rutaceae). Compound 1 had been previously synthesized and was now isolated from natural sources for the first time, and compound 2, possessing a negative optical rotation value, is new. The structures and their stereochemistry were fully elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic and X-ray crystallographic techniques. Both compounds 1 and 2 are active in the antiplatelet aggregation assay. Interestingly, the possible acetonide artifact 1 displayed significant antiplatelet aggregation induced not only by AA and collagen but also by platelet activating factor (PAF).     

Porphyrin complexes containing coordinated BOB groups: synthesis, chemical reactivity and the structure of [BOB(tpClpp)]2+

The reactions of boron halides with free base porphyrins under conditions where partial hydrolysis of the boron halides can occur give diboron porphyrin complexes containing BOB moieties in which each boron is bonded to two porphyrin nitrogen atoms. BF(3).OEt(2) with H(2)(por) gives B(2)OF(2)(por) (por = tpp, ttp, tpClpp, oep) which has an asymmetric structure in which one boron lies in the porphyrin plane (B(ip)) while the other lies above it (B(oop)). BCl(3).MeCN with H(2)(por) gives B(2)O(2)(BCl(3))(2)(por) which contains a four-membered B(2)O(2) ring and is stable only in the presence of excess BCl(3). BBr(3) with Li(2)(tpClpp) gives the dicationic complex [B(2)O(tpClpp)](2+) as its [BBr(4)](-) salt, and is the first example of a boron porphyrin containing three-coordinate boron to be structurally characterised. B(2)O(2)(BCl(3))(2)(por) can be chromatographed on basic alumina to give the hydroxyboron complex B(2)O(OH)(2)(por), which is deduced from its NMR spectra and DFT calculations to have a structure analogous to B(2)OF(2)(por). The OH protons are shifted upfield to near delta -4 (B(oop)-OH) and -10 (B(ip)-OH) by the diamagnetic porphyrin ring current. The reaction of either B(2)O(2)(BCl(3))(2)(por) or B(2)O(OH)(2)(por) (por = ttp, tpClpp) with alcohols (ROH, R = Et, 4-C(6)H(4)CH(3)) gives B(2)O(OR)(2)(por), which can in turn be converted to B(2)O(OR)(OH)(por) by repeated chromatography. The reaction of PhBCl(2) with H(2)(por) (por = ttp, tpClpp) gives B(2)O(Ph)(OH)(por) which has been characterised by spectroscopy in concert with DFT calculations. It is a further example of the B(2)OF(2)(por) structural type, in which the phenyl group is coordinated to the out-of-plane boron and the OH group to the in-plane boron, as are its derivatives B(2)O(Ph)(X)(tpClpp) (X = F, OEt). Steric drivers for the facile hydrolysis of haloboron porphyrins relative to their dipyrromethene and expanded porphyrin counterparts are discussed.     

Ultrafast excited state dynamics controlling photochemical isomerization of N-methyl-4-[trans-2-(4-pyridyl)ethenyl]pyridinium coordinated to a {Re I(CO)3(2,2'-bipyridine)} chromophore

Two multifunctional photoactive complexes [Re(Cl)(CO)(3)(MeDpe(+))(2)](2+) and [Re(MeDpe(+))(CO)(3)(bpy)](2+) (MeDpe(+)=N-methyl-4-[trans-2-(4-pyridyl)ethenyl]pyridinium, bpy=2,2'-bipyridine) were synthesized, characterized, and their redox and photonic properties were investigated by cyclic voltammetry; ultraviolet-visible-infrared (UV/Vis/IR) spectroelectrochemistry, stationary UV/Vis and resonance Raman spectroscopy; photolysis; picosecond time-resolved absorption spectroscopy in the visible and infrared regions; and time-resolved resonance Raman spectroscopy. The first reduction step of either complex occurs at about -1.1 V versus Fc/Fc(+) and is localized at MeDpe(+). Reduction alone does not induce a trans-->cis isomerization of MeDpe(+). [Re(Cl)(CO)(3)(MeDpe(+))(2)](2+) is photostable, while [Re(MeDpe(+))(CO)(3)(bpy)](2+) and free MeDpe(+) isomerize under near-UV irradiation. The lowest excited state of [Re(Cl)(CO)(3)(MeDpe(+))(2)](2+) has been identified as the Re(Cl)(CO)(3)-->MeDpe(+ 3)MLCT (MLCT=metal-to-ligand charge transfer), decaying directly to the ground state with lifetimes of approximately 42 (73 %) and approximately 430 ps (27 %). Optical excitation of [Re(MeDpe(+))(CO)(3)(bpy)](2+) leads to population of Re(CO)(3)-->MeDpe(+) and Re(CO)(3)-->bpy (3)MLCT states, from which a MeDpe(+) localized intraligand (3)pipi* excited state ((3)IL) is populated with lifetimes of approximately 0.6 and approximately 10 ps, respectively. The (3)IL state undergoes a approximately 21 ps internal rotation, which eventually produces the cis isomer on a much longer timescale. The different excited-state behavior of the two complexes and the absence of thermodynamically favorable interligand electron transfer in excited [Re(MeDpe(+))(CO)(3)(bpy)](2+) reflect the fine energetic balance between excited states of different orbital origin, which can be tuned by subtle structural variations. The complex [Re(MeDpe(+))(CO)(3)(bpy)](2+) emerges as a prototypical, multifunctional species with complementary redox and photonic behavior.     

Underpotential surface reduction of mesoporous CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanoparticle films

The formation of variable-thickness CeO₂ nanoparticle mesoporous films from a colloidal nanoparticle solution (approximately 1–3-nm-diameter CeO₂) is demonstrated using a layer-by-layer deposition process with small organic binder molecules such as cyclohexanehexacarboxylate and phytate. Film growth is characterised by scanning and transmission electron microscopies, X-ray scattering and quartz crystal microbalance techniques. The surface electrochemistry of CeO₂ films before and after calcination at 500 °C in air is investigated. A well-defined Ce(IV/III) redox process confined to the oxide surface is observed. Beyond a threshold potential, a new phosphate phase, presumably CePO₄, is formed during electrochemical reduction of CeO₂ in aqueous phosphate buffer solution. The voltammetric signal is sensitive to (1) thermal pre-treatment, (2) film thickness, (3) phosphate concentration and (4) pH. The reversible ‘underpotential reduction’ of CeO₂ is demonstrated at potentials positive of the threshold. A transition occurs from the reversible ‘underpotential region’ in which no phosphate phase is formed to the irreversible ‘overpotential region’ in which the formation of the cerium(III) phosphate phase is observed. The experimental results are rationalised based on surface reactivity and nucleation effects.     

Phenanthrene-fused boron-dipyrromethenes as bright long-wavelength fluorophores

A new class of boron-dipyrromethene (BDP or BODIPY) dyes was obtained by phenanthrene fusion to the beta-pyrrole positions, absorbing in the wavelength range of important laser sources. Despite a 'propeller-like' distorted structure in the crystalline state, the chromophore absorbs (log epsilon > or = 5) and fluoresces (Phif > or = 0.8) strongly and can be easily turned into a fluorescence light-up probe. Incorporation into latex beads produces bright and photostable single-dye and F?rster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) particles for microscopy applications.     

New bioactive natural products from Coprinus micaceus

Chemical studies on the crude methanolic extract of Coprinus micaceus, collected from the Canadian Prairie region, have resulted in the isolation of two new natural products, micaceol (1), a sterol and (Z,Z)-4-oxo-2,5-hetpadienedioic acid (2). Compound 2 was isolated for the first time as a natural product. Structures of these new compounds were established with the aid of extensive NMR spectroscopic studies. Compound 1 has shown anti-bacterial activity against Corynebacterium xerosis and Staphylococcus aureus, whereas compound 2 exhibited glutathione S-transferase inhibition.     

Heterologous expression, purification, refolding, and structural-functional characterization of EP-B2, a self-activating barley cysteine endoprotease

We describe the heterologous expression in Escherichia coli of the proenzyme precursor to EP-B2, a cysteine endoprotease from germinating barley seeds. High yields (50 mg/l) of recombinant proEP-B2 were obtained from E. coli inclusion bodies in shake flask cultures following purification and refolding. The zymogen was rapidly autoactivated to its mature form under acidic conditions at a rate independent of proEP-B2 concentration, suggesting a cis mechanism of autoactivation. Mature EP-B2 was stable and active over a wide pH range and efficiently hydrolyzed a recombinant wheat gluten protein, alpha2-gliadin, at sequences with known immunotoxicity in celiac sprue patients. The X-ray crystal structure of mature EP-B2 bound to leupeptin was solved to 2.2 A resolution and provided atomic insights into the observed subsite specificity of the endoprotease. Our findings suggest that orally administered proEP-B2 may be especially well suited for treatment of celiac sprue.     

Phototoxicity of a core-modified porphyrin and induction of apoptosis

A core-modified porphyrin, 5-phenyl-10,15-bis(carboxylatomethoxyphenyl)-20-(2-thienyl)-21,23-dithiaporphyrin (IY69) was studied in vitro for photodynamic activity under a variety of experimental protocols. Variables included the cell line (the rodent mammary tumor cell line R3230AC or the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7), light fluence, time of exposure of the cell cultures to IY69, and the time post-irradiation for cell counting. The length of time cell cultures were exposed to IY69 impacted cellular accumulation and cellular localization, phototoxicity, and the apparent mode of cell death - apoptosis vs. necrosis.