Incorporation of Bulky and Cationic Cyclam-Triazole Moieties into Marimastat Can Generate Potent MMP Inhibitory Activity without Inducing Cytotoxicity

The synthesis and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitory activity of a cyclam–marimastat conjugate and its metal complexes are described. The conjugate, synthesized with a copper(I)-catalyzed Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition (“click” reaction), contains two zinc-binding groups (ZBGs). The metal complexation behavior with copper(II) and zinc(II) was investigated using UV/Vis spectrophotometry and ¹H NMR spectroscopy, respectively, demonstrating that the first equivalent of the metal ion was chelated by the cyclam-triazole moiety rather than the hydroxamic acid site. Thus, the corresponding mononuclear metal–cyclam complexes were successfully prepared with one equivalent of the metal salt. Both the cyclam–marimastat conjugate and its metal complexes exhibited slightly reduced potency against MMP-1, but essentially identical inhibitory activity against MMP-3. The conjugate and its metal complexes displayed little or no cytotoxicity, further supporting their potential suitability for imaging MMP localization and activity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report that describes the incorporation of metal complexes into an MMP inhibitor without influencing the preexisting ZBG, and the first report of the evaluation of structures containing more than one ZBG as MMP inhibitors.     

A two-step,single pot procedure for the synthesis of substituted dihydropyrazolo-pyrimidines

In this study, we report a two-step, one pot tandem microwave-assisted reaction of 3-formylchromones with aminopyrazoles followed by a tin-free radical addition. A library of alkyl substituted dihydropyrazolopyrimidines was prepared using this new process.     

Chirality and Polarity in the f‐Block Borates M4[B16O26(OH)4(H2O)3Cl4] (M=Sm,Eu, Gd,Pu, Am,Cm, and Cf)

The reactions of trivalent lanthanides and actinides with molten boric acid in high chloride concentrations result in the formation of M₄[B₁₆O₂₆(OH)₄(H₂O)₃Cl₄] (M=Sm, Eu, Gd, Pu, Am, Cm, Cf). This cubic structure type is remarkably complex and displays both chirality and polarity. The polymeric borate network forms helical features that are linked via two different types of nine‐coordinate f‐element environments. The f–f transitions are unusually intense and result in dark coloration of these compounds with actinides.     

Infrared spectroscopy of the mineralogy of coprolites from Brean Down: evidence of past human activities and animal husbandry

The mineralogy of 11 concretions from the Bronze Age settlement horizons at Brean Down near Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, UK, has been examined by infrared spectroscopy. The concretions are found to contain calcite and apatite and, in some cases, quartz. Four further concretions from the later Iron Age Meare Village, soil samples from Brean Down and mineralised samples of known faecal origin from a cesspit within the Tudor Merchant's house in Tenby have been similarly examined. It is found that all samples contain calcite, but only the concretions and the Tenby cesspit samples contain apatite. None of the soil samples contain apatite, although these are relatively high in quartz. This suggests that the concretions are coprolites and that the apatite has a biological origin in small bone fragments. The infrared study is backed up by scanning electron microscopy which confirms the presence of phosphorus in the coprolite samples and shows a morphology suggestive of the presence of bone fragments; it is likely, therefore, that the coprolites result from a carnivore--most probably from dogs. The findings show the usefulness of infrared spectroscopy for the rapid identification of mineralised coprolitic material from archaeological sites.     

Spin-trapping evidence for the formation of alkyl, alkoxyl, and alkylperoxyl radicals in the reactions of dialkylzincs with oxygen

The reactions of dialkylzincs (Me(2)Zn, Et(2)Zn, and nBu(2)Zn) with oxygen have been investigated by EPR spectroscopy using spin-trapping techniques. The use of 5-diethoxyphosphoryl-5-methyl-1-pyrrroline N-oxide (DEPMPO) as a spin-trap has allowed the involvement of alkyl, alkylperoxyl, and alkoxyl radicals in this process to be probed for the first time. The relative ratio of the corresponding spin-adducts depends strongly on the nature of the R group, which controls the C-Zn bond dissociation enthalpy, and on the experimental conditions (excess of spin-trap compared with R(2)Zn and vice versa). The results have demonstrated that Et(2)Zn and, to a lesser extent, nBu(2)Zn are much better traps for oxygen-centered species than Me(2)Zn. When the dialkylzincs were used in excess with respect to the spin-trap, the concentration of the oxygen-centered radical adducts of DEPMPO was much lower for Et(2)Zn and nBu(2)Zn than for Me(2)Zn. A detailed reaction mechanism is discussed and C-Zn, O-Zn, and O-O bond dissociation enthalpies for the proposed reaction intermediates were calculated at the UB3LYP/6-311++G(3df,3pd)//UB3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level of theory to support the rationale.     

Mineralised organic remains from cesspits at the Roman town of Silchester: processes and preservation

Mineralised organic remains (including apple pips and cereal grains) collected during the ongoing excavations of Insula IX at the Roman town of Silchester, Hampshire have been analysed by a combination of SEM-EDX, powder XRD and IR spectroscopy. The experiments included mapping experiments using spatially resolved versions of each technique. IR and powder XRD mapping have been carried out utilising the synchrotron source at The Daresbury Laboratory on stations 11.1 and 9.6. It is concluded that these samples are preserved by rapid mineralisation in the carbonate-substituted calcium phosphate mineral, dahllite. The rapid mineralisation leads to excellent preservation of the samples and a small crystal size. The value of IR spectroscopy in studying materials like this where the crystal size is small is demonstrated. A comparison is made between the excellent preservation seen in this context and the much poorer preservation of mineralised remains seen in Context 5276 or Cesspit 5251. Comments on the possible mechanism of mineralisation of these samples are made.     

顺式效应的起源: 双取代乙烯衍生物的密度泛函理论研究

一般情况下双取代乙烯衍生物的反式构象要比顺式构象稳定. 但是例外也存在, 例如1,2-二氟乙烯和1,2-二氯乙烯. 这种双取代乙烯衍生物顺式构象的超常稳定性被称之为顺式效应. 该效应的起源和本质目前仍没有定论. 本文以12 个体系(XHC=CHY (X, Y=F, Cl, Br, CN, CH₃, C₂H₆, OCH₃))为例, 对顺式效应的有效性、起源和本质进行系统的密度泛函理论研究, 其中9个体系存在顺式效应, 另外3个为正常体系没有该效应. 采用一系列泛函和基组研究其有效性, 并运用四种分析手段, 如自然键轨道(NBO)、能量分量分析(EDA)、密度泛函活性理论(DFRT)和非共价相互作用(NCI)分析, 剖析该效应的起源和本质. 发现在顺式构象的两个取代基之间存在一种微弱的非共价相互吸引作用. 能量分析表明, 静电效应、立体效应等对顺式效应的存在都起着重要作用, 但是它们均不能单独用来解释顺式效应的起源. 也就是说顺式效应没有一个简单的起源, 它是多种作用合力的结果. 本文采用双变量解释得到比较合理的相关回归系数R²=0.86-0.87,较好地解释了顺式效应的本质和起源.