Photochemical Reactivity of Naphthol-Naphthalimide Conjugates and Their Biological Activity

Quinone methide precursors 1a–e, with different alkyl linkers between the naphthol and the naphthalimide chromophore, were synthesized. Their photophysical properties and photochemical reactivity were investigated and connected with biological activity. Upon excitation of the naphthol, Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) to the naphthalimide takes place and the quantum yields of fluorescence are low (Φ_F ≈ 10⁻²). Due to FRET, photodehydration of naphthols to QMs takes place inefficiently (Φ_R ≈ 10⁻⁵). However, the formation of QMs can also be initiated upon excitation of naphthalimide, the lower energy chromophore, in a process that involves photoinduced electron transfer (PET) from the naphthol to the naphthalimide. Fluorescence titrations revealed that 1a and 1e form complexes with ct-DNA with moderate association constants K_a ≈ 10⁵–10⁶ M⁻¹, as well as with bovine serum albumin (BSA) K_a ≈ 10⁵ M⁻¹ (1:1 complex). The irradiation of the complex 1e@BSA resulted in the alkylation of the protein, probably via QM. The antiproliferative activity of 1a–e against two human cancer cell lines (H460 and MCF 7) was investigated with the cells kept in the dark or irradiated at 350 nm, whereupon cytotoxicity increased, particularly for 1e (>100 times). Although the enhancement of this activity upon UV irradiation has no imminent therapeutic application, the results presented have importance in the rational design of new generations of anticancer phototherapeutics that absorb visible light.     

Mass spectrometry of some 2-styryl- and 2,5-distyrylfuran and -thiophene derivatives

Mass spectra of fourteen 2-styryl- and 2,5-distyrylfuran and -thiophene derivatives are reported. Each styryl substituent has an α-carboxylic acid or methyl carboxylate substituent. Although the parent ion is the base peak for the styryl and distyryl derivatives, the distyryl species showed less fragmentation than the styryl species. In addition to simple bond cleavages, loss of formic acid or methyl formate was important in many of the species, presumably forming acetylenic fragments.     

Preparation of thioamide building blocks via microwave-promoted three-component kindler reactions

A microwave-enhanced variation of the Kindler thioamide synthesis is introduced. Taking advantage of the sealed vessel capabilities of a dedicated single-mode microwave reacto,r a diverse selection of 13 aldehyde and 12 amine precursors was utilized in the construction of a representative 34-member library of substituted thioamides. The three-component condensations of aldehydes, amines, and elemental sulfur were carried out using 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) as solvent employing microwave flash heating at 110-180 degrees C for 2-20 min. A simple workup protocol allows the isolation of synthetically valuable primary, secondary, and tertiary thioamide building blocks in 83% average yield and >90% purity.     

Synthesis and spectroscopic characterisation of BODIPY based fluorescent off-on indicators with low affinity for calcium

Two fluorescent off-on Ca2+ indicators based on APTRA (o-aminophenol-N,N,O-triacetic acid) as low-affinity ligand for Ca2+ and BODIPY(4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene) as a fluorophore were synthesized. The new BODIPY-APTRA compounds absorb in the visible spectrum, with absorption maxima from 505 nm to 570 nm, and have fluorescence spectra that span the visible spectrum, with emission maxima ranging from 525 nm to 625 nm dependent on the substituents at the alpha-positions to the nitrogen atoms. The indicators show a large increase of the fluorescence quantum yield upon increasing Ca2+ concentration. The ground-state dissociation constants Kd estimated at 20 degrees C in 100 mM KCl aqueous buffered solution, pH 7.20, for the two complexes with Ca2+ were found to be around 100 microM.     

alpha-phenylpropionic acid derivatives. Synthesis and dethiation of 5-benzoylbenzo[b]thiophene-3-carboxylic acid

The total synthesis of the title compound 8 started with p-thiocresol which was acylated with oxalyl chloride to give compound 1 . This product underwent a condensation reaction with chloroacetic acid under basic conditions yielding compound 2 . Two different synthetic pathways were used to convert compound 2 into the title compound 8 . The first consisted in decarboxylation of 2 to 3 , which was then converted to the ester 4 , which was brominated and the product 5 was subjected to a Friedel-Craft's reaction with benzene. The resulting benzyl derivative 6 was oxidized to the benzoyl stage i.e. compound 7 , which was finally hydrolyzed to 8 . The second pathway was similar to the first one so that the steps of esterification, bromination, Friedel-Craft's alkylation and oxidation started with the dicarboxylic acid 2 . Thus compounds 12–16 were obtained, and the last product was decarboxylated to 8 . The yields in both procedures were similar. Finally, the dethiation of compound 8 with Raney nickel afforded compounds 18, 19 and 20 .     

CARBOXYLATION OF FORMIC ACID IN AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF U.V.-LIGHT

Abstract— Carboxylation of various organic substances by dissolved carbon dioxide or bicarbonate is achieved by the action of U.V. -Light of 184.9 and 253.1 mμ on water. The transformation of formic acid to oxalic acid was investigated in more detail as a function of u.v.-dose, pH-values and the formate concentration. For an irradiation period of 12 hr of 0.1 M formate, a yield of about 2 m mol.1^--¹ oxalic acid was obtained. A reaction mechanism for the photochemical carboxylation process is presented. The results are of some interest in respect of the synthesis of organic compounds under the primitive earth conditions.     

Structure, magnetism and optical properties of achiral and chiral two-dimensional oxalate-bridged anionic networks with symmetric and asymmetric ammonium cations

A series of two-dimensional (2D) oxalate-based compounds, namely [N(n-C4H9)4][M(II)Cr(III)(ox)3] (M(II) = Mn, Fe; ox = C2O4(2-)) and [N(C2H5)(n-C3H7)(n-C4H9)(n-C5H11)][M(II)M(III)(ox)(3)] ((M(II), M(III)) =(Mn, Cr), (Fe, Cr), (Mn, Fe)) were synthesised starting from racemic tris(oxalato)metalate: rac-[M(III)(ox)3]3- (M(III) = Cr, Fe). For Cr(III), the synthesis has been undertaken starting from resolved (Delta)- or (Lambda)-[Cr(III)(ox)3]3-. The natural circular dichroism measurements assess the enantioselectivity of the synthesis. X-Ray powder diffraction analysis has revealed that, when racemic reagents are used to synthesise Mn(II) containing compounds, a R3c achiral space group is found. In contrast a P6(3) chiral space group is found when starting from (Delta)- or (Lambda)-[Cr(III)(ox)3]3-. Surprisingly, whatever the optical purity of the starting building block, all Fe(II) containing compounds crystallise in the P6(3) chiral space group. The magnetic properties of the synthesised compounds confirm that these compounds are ferromagnets for M(III)= Cr. For M(II)= Mn, Theta ranges between 9 and 11 K and T(c) equals 6 K. For M(II)= Fe, Theta ranges between 14 and 16 K and Tc between 11 and 12 K. [N(C2H5)(n-C3H7)(n-C4H9)(n-C5H11)][Mn(II)Fe(III)(ox)3] is an antiferromagnet with Theta = - 107 K and T(N) = 29 K.     

Unequal-sphere packing model for simulation of the uniaxially compressed iodine adlayer on Au(111)

A simple unequal-sphere packing (USP) model, based on pure geometrical principles, was applied to study the centered-rectangular iodine c(px radical3)R30 degrees adlayer on the Au(111) surface, well-known from surface X-ray structure (SXS), low energy electron diffraction (LEED), and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) experiments. To reproduce the exact patterns observed in experiments, two selective conditions-minimum average adsorbate height and minimum adlayer roughness-were imposed. As a result, a series of adlayer patterns with c(px radical3)R30 degrees symmetry (2.3 < p < 3), with precise structural details, including atomic registry and identification of the p-bisector as the most likely trajectory for the iodine adatom movement during the so-called uniaxial compression phenomenon, were identified. In addition, using the same model, the difference between the iodine adlayer arranged in hexagonal and centered-rectangular c(px radical3)R30 degrees patterns, as in the case of Pt(111) and Au(111) surfaces, was investigated. Qualitative and quantitative comparison shows that iodine adatoms in these two arrangements differ significantly in atomic registry, distance from the substrate, and the adlayer corrugation. Our findings could be of special interest in the study of the nature of the iodine adatom bonding to different substrates (i.e., Au vs Pt).     

Absolute and relative emission cross sections for electron impact on CH3F,CH2F2 and CHF3

Emission spectra following electron impact on CH₃F, CH₂F₂ and CHF₃ at various energies have been investigated in the spectral region from 200 nm to 700 nm. Emission thresholds and excitation functions for atomic and molecular fragments have been determined. Absolute emission cross sections were obtained for two band systems, ^{A 2} Δ → X ² Π, C ² Σ⁺ → X ² Π, observed in the emission spectrum of CH₃F and for the H-Balmer radiation, H _α ? H _γ, in the spectra of all compounds. The continuous emission between 200 nm and 400 nm in the spectra of CH₂F₂ and CHF₃ has been examined systematically. It was found that CF₂(Ã) is the main precursor in both spectra.