A Photochemical/Thermal Switch Based on 4,4′-Bis(benzimidazolio)stilbene: Synthesis and Supramolecular Properties.

Stilbene derivatives are well-recognised substructures of molecular switches based on photochemically and/or thermally induced (E)/(Z) isomerisation. We combined a stilbene motif with two benzimidazolium arms to prepare new sorts of supramolecular building blocks and examined their binding properties towards cucurbit[n]urils (n=7, 8) and cyclodextrins (β-CD, γ-CD) in water. Based on the ¹H NMR data and molecular dynamics simulations, we found that two distinct complexes with different stoichiometry, i. e., guest@β-CD and guest@β-CD₂, coexist in equilibrium in a water solution of the (Z)-stilbene-based guests. We also demonstrated that the bis(benzimidazolio)stilbene guests can be transformed from the (E) into the (Z) form via UV irradiation and back via thermal treatment in DMSO.     

Database Survey of Single-and-Half Phosphorus–Oxygen Bonds in Salts with the C2PO2 Segment: Crystal Structure of [NH2C5H4NH][(C6H5)2P(O)(O)]⋅2H2O

Crystallography Reports - For structures with a C2PO2 skeleton, a comparison of “single-and-half” phosphorus–oxygen bonds with single and double phosphorus–oxygen bonds is...     

Mechanism of enhanced conversion of 1,2,3-trichloropropane by mutant haloalkane dehalogenase revealed by molecular modeling

1,2,3-Trichloropropane (TCP) is a highly toxic, recalcitrant byproduct of epichlorohydrin manufacture. Haloalkane dehalogenase (DhaA) from Rhodococcus sp. hydrolyses the carbon–halogen bond in various halogenated compounds including TCP, but with low efficiency (k _cat/K _m = 36 s^-1 M^-1). A Cys176Tyr-DhaA mutant with a threefold higher catalytic efficiency for TCP dehalogenation has been previously obtained by error-prone PCR. We have used molecular simulations and quantum mechanical calculations to elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved in the improved catalysis of the mutant, and enantioselectivity of DhaA toward TCP. The Cys176Tyr mutation modifies the protein access and export routes. Substitution of the Cys residue by the bulkier Tyr narrows the upper tunnel, making the second tunnel “slot” the preferred route. TCP can adopt two major orientations in the DhaA enzyme, in one of which the halide-stabilizing residue Asn41 forms a hydrogen bond with the terminal halogen atom of the TCP molecule, while in the other it bonds with the central halogen atom. The differences in these binding patterns explain the preferential formation of the (R)- over the (S)-enantiomer of 2,3-dichloropropane-1-ol in the reaction catalyzed by the enzyme.     

Evaluation of photodynamic therapy (PDT) procedures using microfluidic system

A hybrid PDMS/glass microfluidic system for evaluation of the efficiency of photodynamic therapy is presented. 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) was used as a precursor of photosensitizer. The geometry of the microdevice presented in this paper enables to test different concentrations of the photosensitizer in a single assay. The viability of the A549 cells was determined 24 h after PDT procedure (irradiation with light which induced a photosensitizer accumulated in carcinoma cells, λ = 625 nm). The presented results confirmed the possibility to perform the photodynamic therapy process in vitro in microscale and the possibility to assess its effectiveness. Moreover, because two identical microstructures on a single chip were performed, the microchip can be used for examination simultaneously various cell lines (carcinoma and normal) or various photosensitizers.     

Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence in a Y3N@C80 Endohedral Fullerene: Time‐Resolved Luminescence and EPR Studies

The endohedral fullerene Y₃N@C₈₀ exhibits luminescence with reasonable quantum yield and extraordinary long lifetime. By variable‐temperature steady‐state and time‐resolved luminescence spectroscopy, it is demonstrated that above 60 K the Y₃N@C₈₀ exhibits thermally activated delayed fluorescence with maximum emission at 120 K and a negligible prompt fluorescence. Below 60 K, a phosphorescence with a lifetime of 192±1 ms is observed. Spin distribution and dynamics in the triplet excited state is investigated with X‐ and W‐band EPR and ENDOR spectroscopies and DFT computations. Finally, electroluminescence of the Y₃N@C₈₀/PFO film is demonstrated opening the possibility for red‐emitting fullerene‐based organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs).     

Synthesis,characterization and crystal structures of new Zinc(II) and Nickel(II) complexes containing morpholine moiety and their antibacterial studies

The ligand 1,2-dimorpholinoethane (DME) was used to prepare Zn(II) and Ni(II) complexes of the general formulation MLX₂ (L = DME, X = Cl or NO₃). Zinc(II) complex exhibits spectral properties indicative of a distorted tetrahedral geometry, with DME coordinating through two nitrogen atoms and two chlorides completing the tetrahedron. This is in contrast to the six-coordinated, distorted octahedral geometry exhibited by nickel(II) complex of DME when NO₃ was used as counter ions. The X-ray diffraction confirms the structures of two complexes and shows that the ligand coordinates through two nitrogen atoms while the two ether linkages are not involved in complexation, which would have been the case if the morpholine rings were in the boat form. The ligand and related complexes have antibacterial activity against the five Gram-positive bacteria: Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538, Bacillus cereus NRRL-B-3711, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 and Streptococcus pyogenes and also against the three Gram-negative bacteria: Escherichia coli ATCC 11230, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 15442 and Klebsiella pneumonia ATCC 70063. The results showed that in some cases the antibacterial activity of the complexes exceeded the one of sulfisoxazole used as a standard.     

Synthesis of novel azanorbornylpurine derivatives

Azanorbornylpurine derivatives were prepared by Mitsunobu reaction of appropriate hydroxyazanorbornane derivative with 6-chloropurine or construction of purine base at azanorbornylamines. The prepared target compounds were evaluated for antiviral activity and effect on neuronal and muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.     

Total Synthesis of (+)- and (−)-Ononitol

Abstract

A practical, five-step synthetic sequence for conversion of myo-inositol into enantiomerically pure (+)- and (?)-ononitols in 17% and 18% overall yield, respectively, has been developed.