A rotaxane mimic of the photoactive yellow protein chromophore environment: effects of hydrogen bonding and mechanical interlocking on a coumaric amide derivative

Hydrogen bonding in a [2]rotaxane is shown to stabilise the phenolate anion of a coumaric amide chromophore by almost 3 pKa units; however, the effect on the UV spectral shift in the anion is small and, significantly given the photochemistry of PYP, despite the hydrogen bonding olefin photoisomerisation in the anionic rotaxane remains heavily suppressed.     

Enantioselective hydrogenation with self-assembling rhodium phosphane catalysts: influence of ligand structure and solvent

Three sets of new and related chiral phospholane and phosphepine ligands have been prepared for Rh-catalyzed enantioselective hydrogenation. The size and substitution pattern of the cyclic monophosphanes were varied. More importantly, the ligands differ in the nature of the heterocyclic group linked to the trivalent phosphorus atom: 2-pyridone or 2-alkoxypyridine. In the corresponding Rh complexes, the pyridone units of two monodentate P ligands can assemble by hydrogen bonding and form chelates. In contrast, synthetic precursors bearing alkoxypyridine appendages are not able to aggregate via intramolecular hydrogen bonds. The nature of self-assembly is dependent on the nature of the P ligand and the solvent used for the hydrogenation (CH2Cl2 vs. MeOH). These features affect the rate of the reaction as well as the enantioselectivity, which varied in the range of 0-99 % ee Complexation studies and DFT calculations were performed to explain these differences.     

Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry of a novel family of complexes in which various nitroso compounds are stabilized via coordination to [IrCl5]2-

Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS) data of a unique family of complexes of nitroso compounds coordinated to pentachloroiridate(III), [Cl5IrN(O)XR]2- (X=NH, S, CH and R=alkyl, aryl) are presented. These novel complexes are obtained by nucleophilic attack of primary amines, thiols. and alkenes to the coordinated nitrosyl. Despite their lability and low volatility, MS analysis of complexes of the type MN(O)X was done for the first time, complementing other spectroscopic techniques. The intrinsic dissociation chemistry of the gaseous diagnostic ions was studied via ESI-MS/MS and found to be very useful to confirm the proposed connectivities of the parent complexes. In particular, ESI-MS of their solutions allows the detection of series of diagnostic ions, mainly, [M-Cl]-, [M+K]-, [M-NO]-*, and [M-Cl+AcN]- (AcN=acetonitrile), which confirmed the identity of the analyzed complexes to be M=[Cl5IrN(O)XR]2-. Major fragments were formed by losses of NO or N(O)XR. ESI-MS and ESI-MS/MS measurements are therefore shown to be the proper techniques to complement the spectroscopic characterization of this important class of nitroso complexes. An interesting rearrangement that does not take place in solution was observed in the gaseous phase, and a plausible mechanism is discussed.     

Determination of poorly fluorescent carbamate pesticides in water, bendiocarb and promecarb, using cyclodextrin nanocavities and related media

The effect of native cyclodextrins (alpha, beta, or gammaCD with six, seven and eight glucose units, respectively), hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HPCD), chitosan (CHT) and glucose in water solution or water with n-propylamine (PA) as co-solvent upon the UV-vis and fluorescence properties of poorly fluorescent N-methyl carbamates pesticides (C) as bendiocarb (2,2-dimethyl-1,3-benzodioxol-4-ol methylcarbamate, BC) and promecarb (3-methyl-5-(1-methylethyl)phenol methylcarbame, PC) was examined. Fluorescent enhancement was found for both substrates with all CDs in water or PA-water except from PC with alphaCD. The addition of CHT increases the fluorescence of BC but decreases the fluorescence of PC, and glucose addition gives in both cases no spectral changes. Host-guest interaction was clearly determined by fluorescence enhancement with betaCD and HPCD with a 1:1 stoichiometry for the complexes (C:CD). The values obtained for the association constants (K(A), M(-1)) were (6+/-2)x10(2) and (2.3+/-0.3)x10(2) for BC:betaCD and BC:HPCD complexes, respectively. For PC:betaCD and PC:HPCD the values of K(A) were (19+/-2)x10(2) and (21+/-2)x10(2), respectively. The ratio of the fluorescence quantum yields for the bound and free substrates (phi(CCD)/phi(C)) was in the range 1.74-3.8. The limits of detection (L(D), microg mL(-1)) for the best conditions were (0.57+/-0.02) for BC with HPCD and (0.091+/-0.002) for PC with betaCD in water. Application to the analysis in pesticide spiked samples of tap water and fruit yields satisfactory apparent recoveries (84-114%), and for the extraction procedure in fruits and a commercial formulation, recoveries were of 81-98% and 104%, respectively. The method is rapid, simple, direct, sensitive and useful for pesticide analysis.     

Matrix isolation spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations for 2,7,12,17-tetra-tert-butylporphycene in argon and xenon

Electronic absorption spectra of 2,7,12,17-tetra-tert-butylporphycene (TTPC) have been recorded in low-temperature argon and xenon matrices for various deposition conditions. In the region of the S(0)-S(1) electronic transition, the spectra of TTPC in argon reveal a rich site structure, characterized by a series of more than 30 absorption peaks. Studies of the temperature dependence of the electronic spectra in solid argon demonstrated remarkable spectral changes, resulting in the broadening of all bands with increasing temperature. These temperature-induced spectral changes are, to a large degree, reversible, so lowering of temperature is accompanied by the recovery of the original fine-line spectrum. The absorption spectra in xenon reveal broad bands, on which a rich pattern of lines becomes superimposed at low temperatures. Trapping site distribution and the structure of the microenvironment around the TTPC chromophore, embedded in argon and xenon hosts, have been analyzed using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The MD results show that the trapping of TTPC in rare-gas solids is influenced by favorable embedding of the bulky tert-butyl groups inside the matrix cage. The crucial role of the tert-butyl groups for the thermodynamics and kinetics of matrix deposition is demonstrated by comparing the results with those obtained for the parent, unsubstituted porphycene.     

Asymmetric synthesis of fluorinated amino macrolactones through ring-closing metathesis

The synthesis of new chiral fluorinated amino and azamacrolactones of types 1 and 2 is described. A ring-closing metathesis (RCM) reaction constitutes the key step in this methodology, which uses fluorinated amino alcohols 7 as starting materials. The influence of the CF2 group, which is located in the alpha-position relative to the carbon bearing the amino group, on the efficiency of the RCM reaction is noteworthy. This method allows for the preparation of the desired fluorinated macrolactones in excellent yields.     

Multiscale Modeling of the Interphase Interactions in the Mechanics of Materials

The consistent and correct model of media taking into account scale effects (cohesion and adhesive interactions) is constructed as a special case of the Cosserat's pseudocontinuum model. The variant of the interphase layer theory is elaborated, which includes the following moments: formal mathematical statement, physical constitutive equations, numerical estimations of an interphase layer influence on the stress state and energy density distribution in a composite. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Comparative Study of Antioxidant and Pro-Oxidant Properties of Homoleptic and Heteroleptic Copper Complexes with Amino Acids,Dipeptides and 1,10-Phenanthroline: The Quest for Antitumor Compounds

In a search for new antitumoral agents, a series of homoleptic copper(II) complexes with amino acids and dipeptides, as well as heteroleptic complexes containing both dipeptides and 1,10-phenanthroline, were studied. Furthermore, a single-crystal structure containing alanyl-leucinato ([Cu₃(AlaLeu)₃(H₂O)₃(CO₃)]·PF₆·H₂O), which is the first homotrinuclear carbonato-bridged copper(II) complex with a dipeptide moiety, is presented. To assess possible antitumor action mechanisms, we focused on the comparative analysis of pro- and antioxidant behaviors. Pro-oxidant activity, in which the reactive oxygen species (ROS) formed by the reaction of the complexes with H₂O₂ produce oxidative damage to 2-deoxy-d-ribose, was evaluated using the TBARS method. Additionally, the antioxidant action was quantified through the superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity, using a protocol based on the inhibitory effect of SOD on the reduction of nitrobluetetrazolium (NBT) by the superoxide anion generated by the xanthine/xanthine oxidase system. Our findings show that Cu–amino acid complexes are strong ROS producers and moderate SOD mimics. Conversely, Cu–dipeptide–phen complexes are good SOD mimics but poor ROS producers. The activity of Cu–dipeptide complexes was strongly dependent on the dipeptide. A DFT computational analysis revealed that complexes with high SOD-like activity tend to display a large dipole moment and condensed-to-copper charge, softness and LUMO contribution. Moreover, good ROS producers have higher global hardness and copper electrophilicity, lower copper softness and flexible and freely accessible coordination polyhedra.     

Entrapment of α‐Chymotrypsin into Hollow Polyelectrolyte Microcapsules

Stable hollow polyelectrolyte capsules were produced by the layer‐by‐layer assembling of non‐biodegradable polyelectrolytes – poly(allylamine) and poly(styrenesulfonate) on melamine formaldehyde microcores followed by the core decomposition at low pH. A proteolytic enzyme, α‐chymotrypsin, was encapsulated into these microcapsules with high yields of up to 100%. The encapsulation procedure was based on the protein adsorption onto the capsule shells and on the pH‐dependent opening and closing of capsule wall pores. The protein in the capsules retained a high activity, and thermo‐ and storage stability. The nanostructured polyelectrolyte shell protected the proteinase from a high molecular weight inhibitor. Such enzyme‐loaded capsules can be used as microreactors for biocatalysis.     

4-Azidocinnoline—Cinnoline-4-amine Pair as a New Fluorogenic and Fluorochromic Environment-Sensitive Probe

A new type of fluorogenic and fluorochromic probe based on the reduction of weakly fluorescent 4-azido-6-(4-cyanophenyl)cinnoline to the corresponding fluorescent cinnoline-4-amine was developed. We found that the fluorescence of 6-(4-cyanophenyl)cinnoline-4-amine is strongly affected by the nature of the solvent. The fluorogenic effect for the amine was detected in polar solvents with the strongest fluorescence increase in water. The environment-sensitive fluorogenic properties of cinnoline-4-amine in water were explained as a combination of two types of fluorescence mechanisms: aggregation-induced emission (AIE) and excited state intermolecular proton transfer (ESPT). The suitability of an azide–amine pair as a fluorogenic probe was tested using a HepG2 hepatic cancer cell line with detection by fluorescent microscopy, flow cytometry, and HPLC analysis of cells lysates. The results obtained confirm the possibility of the transformation of the azide to amine in cells and the potential applicability of the discovered fluorogenic and fluorochromic probe for different analytical and biological applications in aqueous medium.