Gram‐Scale Synthesis of Chiral Cyclopropane‐Containing Drugs and Drug Precursors with Engineered Myoglobin Catalysts Featuring Complementary Stereoselectivity

Engineered hemoproteins have recently emerged as promising systems for promoting asymmetric cyclopropanations, but variants featuring predictable, complementary stereoselectivity in these reactions have remained elusive. In this study, a rationally driven strategy was implemented and applied to engineer myoglobin variants capable of providing access to 1‐carboxy‐2‐aryl‐cyclopropanes with high trans‐(1R,2R) selectivity and catalytic activity. The stereoselectivity of these cyclopropanation biocatalysts complements that of trans‐(1S,2S)‐selective variants developed here and previously. In combination with whole‐cell biotransformations, these stereocomplementary biocatalysts enabled the multigram synthesis of the chiral cyclopropane core of four drugs (Tranylcypromine, Tasimelteon, Ticagrelor, and a TRPV1 inhibitor) in high yield and with excellent diastereo‐ and enantioselectivity (98–99.9% de; 96–99.9% ee). These biocatalytic strategies outperform currently available methods to produce these drugs.     

The impact of tripodal chelates on water exchange kinetics and mechanisms: a variable temperature and pressure 17O NMR study to clarify the structure-reactivity relationship in [Fe(II)(L)(H2O2](-) complexes

The effect of temperature and pressure on the water exchange reaction of [Fe(II)(NTA)(H2O)2](-) and [Fe(II)(BADA)(H2O)2](-) (NTA = nitrilotriacetate; BADA = beta-alanindiacetate) was studied by 17O NMR spectroscopy. The [Fe(II)(NTA)(H2O)2](-) complex showed a water exchange rate constant, k(ex), of (3.1 +/- 0.4) x 10(6) s(-1) at 298.2 K and ambient pressure. The activation parameters DeltaH( not equal), DeltaS( not equal) and DeltaV( not equal) for the observed reaction are 43.4 +/- 2.6 kJ mol(-1), + 25 +/- 9 J K(-1) mol(-1) and + 13.2 +/- 0.6 cm(3) mol(-1), respectively. For [Fe(II)(BADA)(H2O)2](-), the water exchange reaction is faster than for the [Fe(II)(NTA)(H2O)2](-) complex with k(ex) = (7.4 +/- 0.4) x 10(6) s(-1) at 298.2 K and ambient pressure. The activation parameters DeltaH( not equal), DeltaS( not equal) and DeltaV( not equal) for the water exchange reaction are 40.3 +/- 2.5 kJ mol(-1), + 22 +/- 9 J K(-1) mol(-1) and + 13.3 +/- 0.8 cm(3) mol(-1), respectively. The effect of pressure on the exchange rate constant is large and very similar for both systems, and the numerical values for DeltaV( not equal) suggest in both cases a limiting dissociative (D) mechanism for the water exchange process.     

Host–guest complexes of mixed glycol-phenanthroline cryptands: prediction of ion selectivity by quantum chemical calculations IV

Abstract Structures and complex-formation energies, calculated with DFT (B3LYP/LANL2DZp) for the cryptands [2.2.phen] and [2.phen.phen] with endohedrally complexed alkali and alkaline earth metal ions, were utilized to predict their ion selectivity. Both cryptands [2.2.phen] and [2.phen.phen] have a cavity size smaller than [2.2.2], [phen.phen.phen] and [bpy.bpy.bpy], and prefer to bind K⁺ and Sr²⁺, whereas [2.2.phen] that is larger than [2.phen.phen], has a preference for Ba²⁺, and [2.phen.phen] favours Na⁺ and Ca²⁺. The cryptand flexibility is mainly attributed to the presence of CH₂–N_SP3···N_SP3–CH₂ groups. Graphical abstract Host–Guest Complexes of mixed Glycol-Phenanthroline Cryptands—Prediction of Ion Selectivity by Quantum Chemical Calculations III Ralph Puchta* and Rudi van Eldik Keywords Cation selectivity Host–guest DFT DFT-studies allow a sensitive analysis of selectivity and cage size. Calculations predict a favourable binding of K⁺, Sr²⁺ and Ba²⁺ by [2.2.phen], and binding of K⁺, Na⁺, Ca²⁺ and Sr²⁺ by [2.phen.phen]. The cryptands fold around the ions by twisting their torsion angles in order to reach the best coordination mode for each cation. For “Prediction of ion selectivity by quantum chemical calculations III” see, R. Puchta, R. van Eldik. Aust. J. Chem. 60, 889–897 (2007).     

Interplay between acetate ions, peripheral groups, and reactivity of the core nitrogens in transmetalation of tetrapyrroles

The mechanism of acetate-assisted transmetalation of tetrapyrroles was investigated in a model system consisting of chlorophyll a and copper(II) acetate in organic solvents by using a spectroscopic and kinetic approach. Surprisingly, acetate ions bind to the central Mg in chlorophyll much more strongly than do acetonitrile, methanol and even pyridine, one of the best ligands in chlorophyllic systems. This exceptionally strong non-symmetrical axial ligation of the central Mg by acetate causes its out-of-plane displacement and deformation of the tetrapyrrole ring, thus facilitating the interaction with an incoming CuII complex. This mechanism is controlled by a keto-enol tautomerism of the chlorophyll isocyclic ring. Additionally, depending on solvent, acetate activates the incoming metal ions. These new insights allow to suggest a mechanism for the acetate method of metal exchange in tetrapyrrolic macrocycles, which resembles biological insertion of metal ions into porphyrins. It also provides a guideline for the design of more efficient methods for the metalation of porphyrins and related macrocycles.     

Kinetic studies on the reactions of [Pd(dach)(X-Y)] complexes with some DNA constituents

The kinetics of complex-formation reactions of six Pd(dach) complexes, dach = 1,2-trans-R,R-diaminocyclohexane, viz. [Pd(dach)Cl2], [Pd(dach)(H2O)2]2+, and four complexes with different chelating leaving groups X-Y, viz. [Pd(dach)(O,O-cyclobutane-1,1-dicarboxylate)], [Pd(dach)(N,O-glycine)](+), [Pd(dach)(N,S-methionine)]+ and [Pd(dach)(O,O-oxalate)], were studied. The effect of the leaving group on the lability of the resulting Pd(ii) complexes was studied for the nucleophiles inosine, inosine-5'-monophosphate and guanosine-5'-monophosphate under pseudo-first-order conditions as a function of nucleophile concentration, temperature and pressure using stopped-flow techniques. Two consecutive reaction steps, which both depend on the nucleophile concentration, were observed. The rate constants for all reactions indicate a direct substitution of the X-Y chelate by the selected nucleophiles, thereby showing that the nature of the chelate, viz. O-O (cbdca), (ox), N-O (gly) or S-N (l-met), plays an important role in the kinetic and mechanistic behavior of the Pd(ii) complexes. The mechanism of the substitution reactions is associative in nature as supported by the large and negative values of DeltaS(double dagger) and DeltaV(double dagger).     

Kinetics and mechanism of O-O bond cleavage in the reaction of [RuIII(edta)(H2O)]- with hydroperoxides in aqueous solution

The reactions of [Ru(III)(edta)(H(2)O)](-) (1) (edta = ethylenediaminetetraacetate) with tert-butylhydroperoxide ((t)BuOOH) and potassium hydrogenpersulfate (KHSO(5)) were studied kinetically as a function of oxidant concentration and temperature (10-30 degrees C) at a fixed pH of 6.1 using stopped-flow techniques. Kinetic results were analyzed by using global kinetic analysis techniques. The reaction was found to consist of two steps involving the rapid formation of a [Ru(III)(edta)(OOR)](2-) intermediate, which subsequently undergoes heterolytic cleavage to form [(edta)Ru(V)=O](-). Since [(edta)Ru(V)=O](-) was produced almost quantitatively in the reaction of 1 with the hydroperoxides (t)BuOOH and KHSO(5), the common mechanism is one of heterolytic scission of the O-O bond. The water soluble and easy to oxidize substrate 2,2'-azobis(3-ethylbenzithiazoline-6-sulfonate (ABTS), was employed to substantiate the mechanistic proposal. Reactions were carried out under pseudo-first order conditions for [ABTS] > [hydroperoxide] > [1], and were monitored as a function of time for the formation of the one-electron oxidation product ABTS (*+). The detailed suggested mechanism is consistent with the reported rate and activation parameters, and discussed in reference to the results reported for the reaction of [Ru(II)(edta)(H(2)O)](-) with H(2)O(2).     

A Colorimetric Biosensing Platform with Aptamers,Rolling Circle Amplification and Urease-Mediated Litmus Test

Here we report on an ultra-sensitive colorimetric sensing platform that takes advantage of both the strong amplification power of rolling circle amplification (RCA) and the high efficiency of a simple urease-mediated litmus test. The presence of a target triggers the RCA reaction, and urease-labelled DNA can hybridize to the biotinylated RCA products and be immobilized onto streptavidin-coated magnetic beads. The urease-laden beads are then used to hydrolyze urea, leading to an increase in pH that can be detected by a simple litmus test. We show this sensing platform can be easily integrated with aptamers for sensing diverse targets via the detection of human thrombin and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) utilizing structure-switching aptamers as well as SARS-CoV-2 in human saliva using a spike-binding trimeric DNA aptamer. Furthermore, we demonstrate that this colorimetric sensing platform can be integrated into a simple paper-based device for sensing applications.     

Novel iron(III) porphyrazine complex. Complex speciation and reactions with NO and H2O2

The complex [iron(III) (octaphenylsulfonato)porphyrazine] (5-), Fe (III)(Pz), was synthesized. The p K a values of the axially coordinated water molecules were determined spectrophotometrically and found to be p K a 1 = 7.50 +/- 0.02 and p K a 2 = 11.16 +/- 0.06. The water exchange reaction studied by (17)O NMR as a function of the pH was fast at pH = 1, k ex = (9.8 +/- 0.6) x 10 (6) s (-1) at 25 degrees C, and too fast to be measured at pH = 10, whereas at pH = 13, no water exchange reaction occurred. The equilibrium between mono- and diaqua Fe (III)(Pz) complexes was studied at acidic pH as a function of the temperature and pressure. Complex-formation equilibria with different nucleophiles (Br (-) and pyrazole) were studied in order to distinguish between a five- (in the case of Br (-)) or six-coordinate (in the case of pyrazole) iron(III) center. The kinetics of the reaction of Fe (III)(Pz) with NO was studied as a model ligand substitution reaction at various pH values. The mechanism observed is analogous to the one observed for iron(III) porphyrins and follows an I d mechanism. The product is (Pz)Fe (II)NO (+), and subsequent reductive nitrosylation usually takes place when other nucleophiles like OH (-) or buffer ions are present in solution. Fe (III)(Pz) also activates hydrogen peroxide. Kinetic data for the direct reaction of hydrogen peroxide with the complex clearly indicate the occurrence of more than one reaction step. Kinetic data for the catalytic decomposition of the dye Orange II by H 2O 2 in the presence of Fe (III)(Pz) imply that a catalytic oxidation cycle is initiated. The peroxide molecule first coordinates to the iron(III) center to produce the active catalytic species, which immediately oxidizes the substrate. The influence of the catalyst, oxidant, and substrate concentrations on the reaction rate was studied in detail as a function of the pH. The rate increases with increasing catalyst and peroxide concentrations but decreases with increasing substrate concentration. At low pH, the oxidation of the substrate is not complete because of catalyst decomposition. The observed kinetic traces at pH = 10 and 12 for the catalytic cycle could be simulated on the basis of the obtained kinetic data and the proposed reaction cycle. The experimental results are in good agreement with the simulated ones.     

Effect of chelate dynamics on water exchange reactions of paramagnetic aminopolycarboxylate complexes

Because of our interest in evaluating a possible relationship between complex dynamics and water exchange reactivity, we performed (1)H NMR studies on the paramagnetic aminopolycarboxylate complexes Fe (II)-TMDTA and Fe (II)-CyDTA and their diamagnetic analogues Zn (II)-TMDTA and Zn (II)-CyDTA. Whereas a fast Delta-Lambda isomerization was observed for the TMDTA species, no acetate scrambling between in-plane and out-of-plane positions is accessible for any of the CyDTA complexes because the rigid ligand backbone prevents any configurational changes in the chelate system. In variable-temperature (1)H NMR studies, no evidence of spectral coalescence due to nitrogen inversion was found for any of the complexes in the available temperature range. The TMDTA complexes exhibit the known solution behavior of EDTA, whereas the CyDTA complexes adopt static solution structures. Comparing the exchange kinetics of flexible EDTA-type complexes and static CyDTA complexes appears to be a suitable method for evaluating the effect of ligand dynamics on the overall reactivity. In order to assess information concerning the rates and mechanism of water exchange, we performed variable-temperature and -pressure (17)O NMR studies of Ni (II)-CyDTA, Fe (II)-CyDTA, and Mn (II)-CyDTA. For Ni (II)-CyDTA, no significant effects on line widths or chemical shifts were apparent, indicating either the absence of any chemical exchange or the existence of a very small amount of the water-coordinated complex in solution. For [Fe (II)(CyDTA)(H 2O)] (2-) and [Mn (II)(CyDTA)(H 2O)] (2-), exchange rate constant values of (1.1 +/- 0.3) x 10 (6) and (1.4 +/- 0.2) x 10 (8) s (-1), respectively, at 298 K were determined from fits to resonance-shift and line-broadening data. A relationship between chelate dynamics and reactivity seems to be operative, since the CyDTA complexes exhibited significantly slower reactions than their EDTA counterparts. The variable-pressure (17)O NMR measurements for [Mn (II)(CyDTA)(H 2O)] (2-) yielded an activation volume of +9.4 +/- 0.9 cm (3) mol (-1). The mechanism is reliably assigned as a dissociative interchange (I d) mechanism with a pronounced dissociation of the leaving water molecule in the transition state. In the case of [Fe (II)(CyDTA)(H 2O)] (2-), no suitable experimental conditions for variable-pressure measurements were accessible.     

Cross-response in correlated financial markets: individual stocks

Previous studies of the stock price response to trades focused on the dynamics of singlestocks, i.e. they addressed the self-response. We empirically investigate the priceresponse of one stock to the trades of other stocks in a correlated market, i.e. thecross-responses. How large is the impact of one stock on others and vice versa? – Thisimpact of trades on the price change across stocks appears to be transient instead ofpermanent as we discuss from the viewpoint of market efficiency. Furthermore, we comparethe self-responses on different scales and the self- and cross-responses on the samescale. We also find that the cross-correlation of the trade signs turns out to be ashort-memory process.