Synergistic Biophysical Techniques Reveal Structural Mechanisms of Engineered Cationic Antimicrobial Peptides in Lipid Model Membranes

In the quest for new antibiotics, two novel engineered cationic antimicrobial peptides (eCAPs) have been rationally designed. WLBU2 and D8 (all 8 valines are the d -enantiomer) efficiently kill both Gram-negative and -positive bacteria, but WLBU2 is toxic and D8 nontoxic to eukaryotic cells. We explore protein secondary structure, location of peptides in six lipid model membranes, changes in membrane structure and pore evidence. We suggest that protein secondary structure is not a critical determinant of bactericidal activity, but that membrane thinning and dual location of WLBU2 and D8 in the membrane headgroup and hydrocarbon region may be important. While neither peptide thins the Gram-negative lipopolysaccharide outer membrane model, both locate deep into its hydrocarbon region where they are primed for self-promoted uptake into the periplasm. The partially α-helical secondary structure of WLBU2 in a red blood cell (RBC) membrane model containing 50 % cholesterol, could play a role in destabilizing this RBC membrane model causing pore formation that is not observed with the D8 random coil, which correlates with RBC hemolysis caused by WLBU2 but not by D8.     

Synthesis of poly(ester‐amide) dendrimers based on 2,2‐Bis(hydroxymethyl) propanoic acid and glycine

Water‐soluble, biodegradable, and biocompatible poly(ester‐amide) dendrimers with hydroxyl functional groups are synthesized from previously prepared AB₂ adduct of 2,2‐bis(hydroxymethyl) propanoic acid (bis‐MPA) and glycine as a repeating unit. Two esterification procedures using different coupling reagent/catalyst systems (DCC/DPTS or EDC/DMAP) are studied with respect to efficiency, ease of products purification, and quality of the final products. Both procedures have their own benefits and drawbacks, depending on dendrimer generation. The synthesized poly(ester‐amide) dendrimers as well as commercially available bis‐MPA dendrimers, poly(ester‐amide) hyperbranched polymer, and poly(vinyl alcohol) are used for preparation of solid dispersions of sulfonylurea antidiabetic drug glimepiride to improve its poor water‐solubility. In vitro dissolution studies show in comparison with pure glimepiride in crystalline or amorphous form, to the same extent improved glimepiride solubility for solid dispersions based on dendritic polymers, but not for poly(vinyl alcohol). The amount of glimepiride complexed with both dendrimer types increases with dendrimer generation. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 3292–3301     

Controlling the Length of Cooperative Supramolecular Polymers with Chain Cappers

The design and the characterization of supramolecular additives to control the chain length of benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide (BTA) cooperative supramolecular polymers under thermodynamic equilibrium is unraveled. These additives act as chain cappers of supramolecular polymers and feature one face as reactive as the BTA discotic to interact strongly with the polymer end, whereas the other face is nonreactive and therefore impedes further polymerization. Such a design requires fine tuning of the conformational preorganization of the amides and the steric hindrance of the motif. The chain cappers studied are monotopic derivatives of BTA, modified by partial N-methylation of the amides or by positioning of a bulky cyclotriveratrylene cage on one face of the BTA unit. This study not only clarifies the interplay between structural variations and supramolecular interactions, but it also highlights the necessity to combine orthogonal characterization methods, spectroscopy and light scattering, to elucidate the structures and compositions of supramolecular systems.     

Photocontrolled Release of Chemicals from Nano‐ and Microparticle Containers

A benzoin‐derived diol linker was synthesized and used to generate biocompatible polyesters that can be fully decomposed on demand upon UV irradiation. Extensive structural optimization of the linker unit was performed to enable the defined encapsulation of diverse organic compounds in the polymeric structures and allow for a well‐controllable polymer cleavage process. Selective tracking of the release kinetics of encapsulated model compounds from the polymeric nano‐ and microparticle containers was performed by confocal laser scanning microscopy in a proof‐of‐principle study. The physicochemical properties of the incorporated and released model compounds ranged from fully hydrophilic to fully hydrophobic. The demonstrated biocompatibility of the utilized polyesters and degradation products enables their use in advanced applications, for example, for the smart packaging of UV‐sensitive pharmaceuticals, nutritional components, or even in the area of spatially selective self‐healing processes.     

Self-organizing oligothiophene-nucleoside conjugates: versatile synthesis via "click"-chemistry

A versatile synthesis of novel oligothiophene-nucleoside conjugates based on Cu(I)-catalyzed alkyne-azide cycloaddition ("click-reaction") has been developed. Complementary thymidine- and adenosine-functionalized quaterthiophenes form recognition-driven superstructures via hydrogen bonding and other competing intermolecular forces. Self-aggregated fibers up to 30 microm in length were characterized with atomic force microscopy.     

The influence of ethylene glycol chains on the thermodynamics of hydrogen-bonded supramolecular assemblies in apolar solvents

Substitution of hydrogen bond directed supramolecular assemblies with ethylene glycol chains leads to a reduction in the association constant in apolar solvents, where the reduction of the association constant is dependent on the length of the aliphatic spacer connecting the hydrogen bonds and the ethylene glycol chain.     

Pb(18‐crown‐6)Cl2 and Hg(18‐crown‐6)I2: Molecular Dihalides Trapped in a Crown Ether

Pb(18‐crown‐6)Cl₂ and Hg(18‐crown‐6)I₂ are obtained as transparent colourless crystals of needle and hexagonal shape, respectively, by isothermal evaporation of their dichloromethane solutions. Pb(18‐crown‐6)Cl₂ crystallizes with the trigonal crystal system [ , no. 148, a = b = 1176.3(2), c = 1191.8(3) pm, V = 1428.2(5) 10⁶·pm³, Z = 3] whereas Hg(18‐crown‐6)I₂ crystallizes with the orthorhombic crystal system (Pnma, no. 62, a = 1613.9(2) pm, b = 2822.2(5) pm, c = 841.3(1) pm, V = 3832(1)10⁶·pm³, Z = 8). Both compounds are characterized by linear MX₂ (HgI₂ or PbCl₂) molecular units which are encrypted by the crown ether. In both cases, the divalent metal ion resides in the middle of the crown ether resulting in a hexagonal bipyramidal coordination environment for the metal cations. The molecular symmetry comes close to D_3d. Hg(18‐crown‐6)I₂ and Pb(18‐crown‐6)Cl₂ differ in the way the single MX₂@18‐crown‐6 units are packed. Whereas the Hg(18‐crown‐6)I₂ molecules are arranged in a (distorted) cubic closest packing, the Pb(18‐crown‐6)Cl₂ molecules adopt a hexagonal closest packing.     

Siloxanediolates of the Rare Earth Elements – An Eight‐Membered Inorganic Ring System containing Ytterbium

Treatment of anhydrous YbCl₃ with LiN(SiMe₃)₂ followed by reaction with 1 equivalent of 1,1,3,3,5,5‐hexaphenyl‐1,3,5‐trisiloxanediol afforded the first mono(trisiloxanediolate) complex of a rare earth element. The compound [Ph₂Si(OSiPh₂O)₂]Yb(THF)(μ‐Cl)₃Li₂(THF)₃ ( 1 ) was isolated in the form of colorless crystals in very high yield (93%). A single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction study confirmed the presence of an eight‐membered inorganic ring system containing ytterbium. Coordination of one THF ligand and retention of two equivalents of lithium chloride lead to formation of an “ate” complex.     

Strukturen von polaren Magnesiumorganylen: Synthese und Struktur von Basen‐Addukten des Bis(cyclopentadienyl)magnesiums

Structures of Polar Magnesium Organyls: Synthesis and Structure of Base Adducts of Bis(cyclopentadienyl)magnesium Eight donor‐acceptor complexes of bis(cyclopentadienyl)magnesium ( 1 ) with N‐ and O‐donor Lewis bases have been synthesized and characterized by X‐ray structure analysis. With acetonitrile, dimethoxyethane, diethyleneglycoldimethylether, dioxane, and tetramethylethylenediamine simple 1:1 adducts are formed ( 2 – 6 ). In some cases a change of the hapticity of one cyclopentadienylring from η⁵ to η² or η¹ is observed ( 4 – 6 ). In the adduct with pentamethyldiethylenetriamine ( 7 ) one C₅H₅‐ring is removed from the magnesium atom forming the cation [Mg(C₅H₅)(PMDTA)]⁺ and an uncoordinated five‐ring anion. With the crown ether 15‐crown‐5 the two ionic Mg compounds 8 and 9 are formed which have a [Mg(15‐crown‐5)L₂]²⁺‐cation [L = pyridine, THF] and two uncoordinated cyclopentadienyl anions. Cyclopentadienyl‐methyl‐magnesium reacts with 15‐crown‐5 to the salt [Mg(CH₃)(15‐crown‐5)]⁺ C₅H₅^? ( 10 ) which has also a free cyclopentadienyl anion.