Nonlinear optical and structural properties of langmuir-blodgett films of thiohelicenebisquinones

We provide a detailed investigation of the second-order nonlinear optical and structural properties of Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films of nonracemic thiohelicenebisquinone (THBQ). We prepare both X- and Y-type films of different thicknesses and characterize them using optical second-harmonic generation and atomic-force microscopy (AFM). We find that the overall nonlinear properties of the samples are essentially independent of the film thickness and the deposition type and arise from susceptibility tensor components associated with chirality. Both X- and Y-type films can be described by D2 symmetry, which is a higher symmetry than the previously assumed C2 of LB films of THBQ and a similar helicenebisquinone (HBQ). However, the two types of films are shown to differ significantly with respect to the orientation of the in-plane axis. For Y type, the axis follows the direction of vertical sample deposition, but for X type, the direction of the axis varies randomly and significantly between different samples. The Y-type samples are therefore more ordered than the X-type samples. This was confirmed by AFM measurements in which the Y type exhibits uniform ordering into columnar structures. Similar structures in X type, on the other hand, are shorter and more randomly oriented, like those earlier observed for racemic samples of HBQ [Verbiest, T., et al. Science 1998, 282, 913]. The common nonlinear properties and different high-level ordering observed here for two different types of nonracemic samples reinforces that the nonlinearity of THBQ (and probably HBQ, as well) originates from the low-level columnar aggregation of the molecules with the higher-level structures playing a lesser role. In addition, within the columns, the molecules likely assume fairly random azimuthal orientations so that the columns themselves exhibit approximate Dinfinity symmetry.     

Conditions for sulfite stabilization and determination by ion chromatography

The efficiencies of three groups of potential sulfite-stabilizing compounds were found to be in the order: carbonyls > alcohols = saccharides. A mole ratio of 1:1 between formaldehyde and sulfite was sufficient for stabilizing a sulfite solution for at least 72 h. The lower stabilizing efficiencies of the alcohols and saccharides examined could be compensated by using large excesses of these compounds. For example, if a 100-fold excess of glycerol over sulfite was used, the recovery of sulfite was 96% after 72 h compared with only 40% without addition of stabilizer. During separations by ion chromatography, almost no oxidation of the sample occurs provided the sample solution is directly injected into a deaerated eluent. For formaldehyde, the peak heights were found to depend on the molar ratio of the stabilizer to sulfite as well as on the concentration of sulfite. This effect was not found for the other stabilizers tested.     

Nonadiabatic alignment of asymmetric top molecules: rotational revivals

The rotational revival structure of asymmetric top molecules, following irradiation by an intense picosecond laser pulse, is explored theoretically and experimentally. Numerically we solve nonperturbatively for the rotational dynamics of a general asymmetric top subject to a linearly polarized intense pulse, and analyze the dependence of the dynamical alignment on the field and system parameters. Experimentally we use time-resolved photofragment imaging to measure the alignment of two molecules with different asymmetry, iodobenzene, and iodopentafluorobenzene. Our numerical results explain the experimental observations and generalize them to other molecules. The rotational revival structure of asymmetric tops differs qualitatively from the intensively studied linear top case. Potentially it provides valuable structural information about molecules.     

Highly diastereoselective conjugate additions of monoorganocopper reagents to chiral imides

Stereoselective conjugate additions to chiral N-enoyl amides employing various monoorganocuprate reagents, Li[RCuI], are described. The presence of TMSI in the addition of Li[RCuI] in THF provided the highest stereoselectivities. Reversed major diastereomeric ratios were obtained employing Li[RCuI] in ether or conventional copper-promoted Grignard reagents. The results presented support the favored anti-s-cis conformation of the substrates using Li[RCuI]/TMSI in THF, while the copper-promoted Grignard reagents or the Li[RCuI] reagents in ether favor the opposite syn-s-cis conformation. Influence of lithium ions on the stereoselective conjugate addition of the monoorganocuprate reagent, Li[BuCuI], has been investigated and two different mechanistic pathways are presented. The results show that iodotrimethylsilane (TMSI) is crucial for the asymmetric conjugate addition of the copper reagent, but only in THF or when 12-crown-4 is used. The reaction is thought not to involve any halosilane in any critical steps in the organocopper mechanisms conducted in ether. The (CuI)₄(SMe₂)₃ complex precursor plays an instrumental role for the conjugate addition using monoorganocopper reagents.     

Activity-based chemical proteomics accelerates inhibitor development for deubiquitylating enzymes

Converting lead compounds into drug candidates is a crucial step in drug development, requiring early assessment of potency, selectivity, and off-target effects. We have utilized activity-based chemical proteomics to determine the potency and selectivity of deubiquitylating enzyme (DUB) inhibitors in cell culture models. Importantly, we characterized the small molecule PR-619 as a broad-range DUB inhibitor, and P22077 as a USP7 inhibitor with potential for further development as a chemotherapeutic agent in cancer therapy. A striking accumulation of polyubiquitylated proteins was observed after both selective and general inhibition of cellular DUB activity without direct impairment of proteasomal proteolysis. The repertoire of ubiquitylated substrates was analyzed by tandem mass spectrometry, identifying distinct subsets for general or specific inhibition of DUBs. This enabled identification of previously unknown functional links between USP7 and enzymes involved in DNA repair.     

Pseudoceramines A-D, new antibacterial bromotyrosine alkaloids from the marine sponge Pseudoceratina sp

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the CH(2)Cl(2)/MeOH extract of the Australian marine sponge Pseudoceratina sp. resulted in the purification of four new bromotyrosine alkaloids, pseudoceramines A-D (1-4), along with a known natural product, spermatinamine (5). The structures of 1-5 were determined by spectroscopic methods. Pseudoceramines A (1) and B (2) feature a rare bromotyrosyl-spermine-bromotyrosyl sequence, and pseudoceramine C (3) is the first example of bromotyrosine coupled with an N-methyl derivative of spermidine. Compounds 1-5 were screened for inhibition of toxin secretion by the type III secretion (T3S) pathway in Yersinia pseudotuberculosis. Compounds 2 and 5 inhibited secretion of the Yersinia outer protein YopE (IC(50) = 19 and 6 μM, respectively) and the enzyme activity of YopH (IC(50) = 33 and 6 μM, respectively).     

Action of HCl on 3-hydroxypyrazolo(iso)quinolines to give 1-chloropyrazoles: evidence for an addition–elimination mechanism by ab initio calculations in gas phase and water

 Addition–elimination reactions involving a nucleophile and a remote leaving group [S^H _N(AE)^tele] are well-known under basic conditions, especially amongst electron-poor six-membered heterocycles, but are less commonly encountered for five-membered heterocycles and are rare under acidic conditions. Concentrated HCl converts 1-hydroxy-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c] isoquinoline and 1-hydroxy-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]quinoline into 3-chloro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]isoquinoline and 3-chloro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]quinoline, respectively. However, apparently neither the isomeric 1-hydroxy-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c](iso)-quinolines nor the parent 1-hydroxypyrazole undergo this reaction. Additionally, all these systems are refractory under basic conditions. We present a plausible mechanism for the reaction, involving the 3-addition of Cl^- to the diprotonated heterocycle, followed by the elimination of water. Calculations of the initial transition states and intermediates, using optimisation at B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p), including thermochemistry [HF/6-31+G(d)], and single-point Poisson–Boltzmann self-consistent reaction field determination of the free energy of solvation (Jaguar Poisson–Boltzmann self-consistent reaction field), support this mechanism and reproduce the observed order of reactivity, the addition step being 2–4 kcal less favourable for the isomeric 1-hydroxy-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c](iso)quinolines and provide a rationalisation for the role of strong acid. Received: 27 June 2002 / Accepted: 6 September 2002 / Published online: 14 February 2003     

MM-PBSA free energy analysis of endo-1,4-xylanase II (XynII)-substrate complexes: binding of the reactive sugar in a skew boat and chair conformation

The binding of xylotetraose in different conformations to the active site of endo-1,4-beta-xylanase II (XynII) from Trichoderma reesei was studied using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and free energy analyses employing the MM-PBSA (Molecular Mechanics-Poisson-Boltzmann Surface Area) method. MD simulations of 1 ns were done for the substrate xylotetraose having the reactive sugar, which is bound in the -1 subsite of XynII in the 4C1 (chair) and 2So (skew boat) ground state conformations, and for the transition state of the XynII catalysed hydrolysis of the beta-glycosidic linkage. According to the simulations and free energy analysis, XynII binds the substrate with the -1 sugar in the 2So conformation 59.8 kJ mol(-1) tighter than the substrate with the sugar in the 4C1 conformation. The reactive 2So conformation resembles closely the reaction transition state and has the breaking glycosidic bond in a pseudo-axial orientation ready for facile bond cleavage. The transition state was calculated to be bound 77.1 kJ mol(-1) tighter than the 4C1 ground state conformation. The molecular mechanical interaction energy between the enzyme and the reactive pyranoside unit at the -1 subsite was 75.7 kJ mol(-1) more favorable for the binding of the 2So conformation than the 2C1 conformation, explaining the clearly tighter binding of the reactive structure The results of this study indicate that in the Michaelis complex XynII, a member of the family 11 xylanase, the substrate is bound in a skew boat conformation and in the catalytic reaction, the -1 sugar proceeds from the 4C1 conformation through 2So to the transition state with the -1 sugar in the 2,5B conformation.     

Association of bound states of the coulomb potential with resonances of the coulomb potential perturbed by a barrier

In the present article we show how the bound states of the Coulomb potential may be associated with resonances that occur when this potential is perturbed by a barrier potential. The main idea is to trace the bound states on successive switching on of the barrier perturbation. It is found that those bound states that are localized inside the barrier are highly sensitive to variation with respect to the barrier height, whereas those that are localized outside are less sensitive. However, there are certain intervals for the barrier height when the role of being “a state localized inside the barrier” is shifted from one bound state to another. The result can be pictured as a “relay race,” where the “deliveries of the baton” are carried out over corresponding avoided crossings. The baton is ultimately handed over to a shape-type resonance state.     

Cone motion viscosity and optical second harmonic generation of ferroelectric liquid crystalline dendrimers

We report second harmonic generation in a ferroelectric liquid crystalline trimer and ferroelectric liquid crystalline dendrimers of first, second and third generation. Thin cells were filled with the compounds by capillary forces at elevated temperature, and cooled from the surface stabilized ferroelectric state to below the glass transition temperature, while kept in an electric field. The cone motion viscosity and the threshold electric field for unwinding of the helix axis of the chiral tilted smectic mesophases were studied separately at elevated temperature, and these data were used to optimize the preparation of the films. The measured response time was between 0.3 and 3ms, which corresponds to a cone motion viscosity between 0.5 and 50 Pa s. Second harmonic generation was studied both at elevated temperature with an electric field and at room temperature with and without electric field. The first generation dendrimer exhibited a strong increase in the second order non-linear optical response with time at room temperature. The d ₂₃-coefficient of this dendrimer was approximately four times larger than for the other macromolecules and was 0.045 pm V^-1. The relatively large d-coefficient of the first generation dendrimer is ascribed to crystallization, which improved the orientation of the molecular dipoles.