Three-coordinate [Cu(II)X(3)](-) (X=Cl, Br), trapped in a molecular crystal

Mixtures of [Ph(3)PNPPh(3)](+)Cl(-) with CuBr(2) (or CuBr(2)+CuCl(2)) in ethanol/dichloromethane yield crystals containing three-coordinate copper(II) with mixed chloride and bromide ligands, namely [Ph(3)PNPPh(3)](+)[CuCl(0.9)Br(2.1)](-) (1) and [Ph(3)PNPPh(3)](+)[CuCl(2.4)Br(0.6)](-) (2). The trigonal-planar coordination of copper(II) is angularly distorted but unambiguous, as there is no other halide ligand within 6.7 A of the copper atom. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations on planar [CuClBr(2)](-) show that the energy surface for angle bending is very soft. Crystallisation in the presence of CH(3)CN yields [Ph(3)PNPPh(3)](+)[CuCl(0.7)Br(2.3)(NCCH(3))](-) (3), in which there is additional secondary coordination by NCCH(3) (Cu-N 2.44 A). DFT calculations of the potential energy surface for this secondary coordination show that it is remarkably flat (<3 kcal mol(-1) for a variation of Cu-N by 0.8 A). The crystal packing in 1, 2 and 3, which involves multiple phenyl embraces between [Ph(3)PNPPh(3)](+) ions and numerous C-H...Cl and C-H...Br motifs, is associated with intermolecular energies that are larger than the variations in intramolecular energies. For reference, the crystal structures of [Ph(3)PNPPh(3)(+)](2)[Cu(2)Cl(6)](2-) (4) and [Ph(3)PNPPh(3)(+)](2)[Cu(2)Br(6)](2-) (5) are described. We conclude 1) that three-coordinate copper(II) with monatomic halide ligands, although uncommon, can be regarded as normal, 2) that steric control by ligands is not necessary to enforce three-coordination, 3) that a hydrophobic aryl environment stabilises [Cu(Cl/Br)(3)](-), and 4) that the energy change in the transition from three- to four-coordinate copper(II) is very small (ca 5 kcal mol(-1)).     

Use of the tubulin bound paclitaxel conformation for structure-based rational drug design

A new computational docking protocol has been developed and used in combination with conformational information inferred from REDOR-NMR experiments on microtubule bound 2-(p-fluorobenzoyl)paclitaxel to delineate a unique tubulin binding structure of paclitaxel. A conformationally constrained macrocyclic taxoid bearing a linker between the C-14 and C-3'N positions has been designed and synthesized to enforce this "REDOR-taxol" conformation. The novel taxoid SB-T-2053 inhibits the growth of MCF-7 and LCC-6 human breast cancer cells (wild-type and drug resistant) on the same order of magnitude as paclitaxel. Moreover, SB-T-2053 induces in vitro tubulin polymerization at least as well as paclitaxel, which directly validates our drug design process. These results open a new avenue for drug design of next generation taxoids and other microtubule-stabilizing agents based on the refined structural information of drug-tubulin complexes, in accordance with typical enzyme-inhibitor medicinal chemistry precepts.     

Nucleosides. Part LX. Synthesis and Characterization of Monomeric Cordycepin-Vitamin and Cordycepin-Lipid Conjugates Model Substances for Biodegradable Ester and Carbonate Linkages in Conjugates and Potential Inhibitors of HIV-1 Replication

Monomeric 3′-deoxyadenosine (cordycepin) was modified at the 2′-O- ( 13–18 ) and 5′-O-position ( 25–29 ) by the vitamins E, D₂, and A and by the two lipids 1,2-di-O-palmitoylglycerol and 1,2-di-O-hexadecylglycerol via succinate or carbonate linkages. The base-labile conjugates afforded protection groups like the 2-(4-nitro-phenyl)ethoxycarbonyl (npeoc) and monomethoxytrityl group (MeOTr) that are cleavable without harming the ester and carbonate bonds, respectively. Monomeric conjugates of cordycepin and vitamin E, vitamin D₂, 1,2-di-O-palmitoylglycerol, and 1,2-di-O-hexadecylglycerol (see 13, 14, 17, 18, 25, 26, 28 , and 29 ) inhibited HIV-1-induced syncytia formation 1.7 to 6.2 fold compared to 1.5-fold for cordycepin (see Table); IC₅₀ values for 25 and 28 were 257 and 267 m?M , respectively. In addition, the monomeric cordycepin-vitamin and -lipid conjugates inhibited HIV-1 RT activity 28–49% which compares with a 13% inhibition of HIV-1 RT observed for cordycepin. The minimal inhibition of HIV-1-induced syncytia formation and HIV-1 RT activity did not proceed by the activation of RNase L. The monomeric conjugates tested ( 13, 14 ) increased PKR expression.     

First metallamacrocyclic complexes of Pt(iv) with 3,3,3',3'-tetraalkyl-1,1'-phenylenedicarbonylbis(thioureas): synthesis by direct or electrolytic oxidative addition of I(2), Br(2) and Cl(2)

Elemental I(2) and Br(2) cleanly react with the 3:3 Pt(ii) metallamacrocycle of 3,3,3',3'-tetra(n-butyl)-1,1'-terephthaloylbis(thiourea)(cis-[Pt(II)(3)(L(p)(1)-S,O)(3)]3), in chloroform at room temperature, to yield oxidative addition products; (195)Pt NMR studies reveal that a stepwise oxidative addition readily occurs to each of the Pt(ii) centres in the metallamacrocycle to yield the mixed valence species cis-[Pt(II)(2)Pt(IV)I(2)(L(p)(1)-S,O)(3)] and cis-[Pt(II)Pt(IV)(2)I(4)(L(p)(1)-S,O)(3)], and the fully oxidised cis-[Pt(IV)(3)I(6)(L(p)(1)-S,O)(3)] in solution, depending on the mole ratio I(2):3. Similar results are obtained on treatment of solutions of 3 with elemental Br(2). Treatment of the corresponding 2:2 Pt(ii) complex of 3,3,3',3'-tetraethyl-1,1'-isophthaloylbis(thiourea)(cis-[Pt(II)(2)(L(m)(1)-S,O)(2)]4) with iodine, results in facile oxidative addition to yield cis-[Pt(IV)(2)(L(m)(1)-S,O)(2)I(4)], with a trans-Pt(iv)-iodo arrangement. Molecules in the crystal structure of 5 have their trans-Pt(iv)-iodo axes essentially aligned, with very close intermolecular iodide contacts (3.775(1)A), resulting in chains of weakly bound metallamacrocycles in the solid. An alternative electrolytic synthesis method, using a simple two-compartment glass cell containing 4 and a chosen halide salt in dichloromethane, led to the formation of cis-[Pt(IV)(2)(L(m)(1)-S,O)(2)Br(4)] 6 and cis-[Pt(IV)(2)(L(m)(1)-S,O)(2)Cl(4)] 7, completing characterization of a series of first-reported trans-Pt(iv)-X (X=I, Br, Cl) metallamacrocyclic complexes.     

Mixed-metal cluster chemistry. 28. Core enlargement of tungsten-iridium clusters with alkynyl, ethyndiyl, and butadiyndiyl reagents

Reaction of [WIr3(mu-CO)3(CO)8(eta-C5Me5)] (1c) with [W(C[triple bond]CPh)(CO)3(eta-C5H5)] afforded the edge-bridged tetrahedral cluster [W2Ir3(mu4-eta2-C2Ph)(mu-CO)(CO)9(eta-C5H5)(eta-C5Me5)] (3) and the edge-bridged trigonal-bipyramidal cluster [W3Ir3(mu4-eta2-C2Ph)(mu-eta2-C=CHPh)(Cl)(CO)8(eta-C5Me5)(eta-C5H5)2] (4) in poor to fair yield. Cluster 3 forms by insertion of [W(C[triple bond]CPh)(CO)3(eta-C5H5)] into Ir-Ir and W-Ir bonds, accompanied by a change in coordination mode from a terminally bonded alkynyl to a mu4-eta2 alkynyl ligand. Cluster 4 contains an alkynyl ligand interacting with two iridium atoms and two tungsten atoms in a mu4-eta2 fashion, as well as a vinylidene ligand bridging a W-W bond. Reaction of [WIr3(CO)11(eta-C5H5)] (1a) or 1c with [(eta-C5H5)(CO)2 Ru(C[triple bond]C)Ru(CO)2(eta-C5H5)] afforded [Ru2WIr3(mu5-eta2-C2)(mu-CO)3(CO)7(eta-C5H5)2(eta-C5R5)] [R = H (5a), Me (5c)] in low yield, a structural study of 5a revealing a WIr3 butterfly core capped and spiked by Ru atoms; the diruthenium ethyndiyl precursor has undergone Ru-C scission, with insertion of the C2 unit into a W-Ir bond of the cluster precursor. Reaction of [W2Ir2(CO)10(eta-C5H5)2] with the diruthenium ethyndiyl reagent gave [RuW2Ir2{mu4-eta2-(C2C[triple bond]C)Ru(CO)2(eta-C5H5)}(mu-CO)2(CO)6(eta-C5H5)3] (6) in low yield, a structural study of 6 revealing a butterfly W2Ir2 unit capped by a Ru(eta-C5H5) group resulting from Ru-C scission; the terminal C2 of a new ruthenium-bound butadiyndiyl ligand has been inserted into the W-Ir bond. Reaction between 1a, [WIr3(CO)11(eta-C5H4Me)] (1b), or 1c and [(eta-C5H5)(CO)3W(C[triple bond]CC[triple bond]C)W(CO)3(eta-C5H5)] afforded [W2Ir3{mu4-eta2-(C2C[triple bond]C)W(CO)3(eta-C5H5)}(mu-CO)2(CO)2(eta-C5H5)(eta-C5R5)] [R = H (7a), Me (7c); R5 = H4Me (7b)] in good yield, a structural study of 7c revealing it to be a metallaethynyl analogue of 3.     

Physicochemical properties of enhanced-fluidity liquid solvents

Enhanced fluidity (EF) liquid mixtures are advantageous as mobile phases for the separation of moderate to polar compounds in liquid chromatography (reversed-phase, normal, size exclusion, size exclusion, and chiral separations). The low viscosities and high diffusivities of EF mixtures allow highly efficient separations to be achieved in a small amount of time. The best use of enhanced-fluidity liquids is only possible when their physicochemical properties are known. Herein, the techniques used to measure the physicochemical properties (phase diagram, diffusivity, solvent strength and pH) of EF liquids are described. For each technique, the experiment design and the care necessary to insure the quality of the collected data are described. Finally, the impact of the measured physicochemical properties on the chromatography is also highlighted.     

Platination of [3-X-7,8-Ph2-7,8-nido-C2B9H8] (X=Et, F): Synthesis and characterisation of slipped and 1,2→1,7 isomerised products

The reaction of the labelled carborane ligand [3-Et-7,8-Ph₂-7,8-nido-C₂B₉H₈]²⁻ with a source of {Pt(PMe₂Ph)₂}²⁺ affords non-isomerised 1,2-Ph₂-3,3-(PMe₂Ph)₂-6-Et-3,1,2-closo-PtC₂B₉H₈ (1). The analogous reaction between [3-F-7,8-Ph₂-7,8-nido-C₂B₉H₈]²⁻ and {Pt(PMe₂Ph)₂}²⁺ yields 1,8-Ph₂-2,2-(PMe₂Ph)₂-4-F-2,1,8-closo-PtC₂B₉H₈ (3). Compound 1 has a heavily slipped structure (Δ 0.72 Å), which to some degree obviates the need for C atom isomerisation. However, that it is a kinetic product of the reaction is evident from the fact that it reverts to isomerised 1,8-Ph₂-2,2-(PMe₂Ph)₂-4-Et-2,1,8-closo-PtC₂B₉H₈ (2) slowly at room temperature but more rapidly with gentle warming. The heteroatom and labelled-B atom positions in the isomerised compounds 2 and 3 may be explained most simply by the rotation of a CB₂ face of an intermediate based on the structure of 1. Compounds 1–3 were characterised by a combination of spectroscopic and crystallographic techniques.     

Determination of 19-norandrosterone in CCQM-P68. NIST results using an isotope dilution liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method

The US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) participated in an international interlaboratory study under the auspices of the Consultative Committee for Amount of Substance (CCQM) for the determination of 19-norandrosterone (19-NA) in urine, the principal metabolite of nandrolone and certain other synthetic testosterone substitutes banned for use by the World Antidoping Agency (WADA). Prior to this study, NIST developed a candidate reference measurement procedure based upon isotope dilution liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. This method was applied to a urine sample distributed to the participants in the study by the Australian National Measurement Institute, Pymble, Australia (NMIA). The NIST results were in very good agreement with those from the other participants, all of whom used methods based upon gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. All known significant sources of uncertainty were evaluated, resulting in a relative expanded uncertainty of less than 5% (coverage factor k = 2).     

Intermolecular interactions in (arene)chromium carbonyl compounds: prediction of chiral crystal packing from racemate structure

Six X-ray crystal structures are reported, all containing substituted triphenylmethanol derivative 4 either alone or as its mono or bis(chromium tricarbonyl) complexes. All four chromium complexes studied crystallize with two independent molecules in the crystallographic asymmetric unit. It is demonstrated that from the X-ray crystal structure of the acentric racemic (+/-)-(1pR,1' 'R)(1pS,1' 'S)-[Cr(CO)(3)(eta(6)-t-BuC(6)H(3)(CMeOMe)CPh(2)OH)], (+/-)-3, it is possible to deduce the 4-fold helical structure of the chiral (-)-(1pR,1' 'R) isomer, (-)-3. The bimetallic derivatives demonstrate the ability to control intermolecular interactions by the positioning of relative stereochemistry.     

CONFORMATIONAL CHANGES OF BOVINE LENS CRYSTALLINS IN A PHOTODYNAMIC SYSTEM

Abstract— Conformational changes of bovine lens crystallins in a photodynamic system generating singlet oxygen, have been investigated. The formation of intersubunit crosslinks was observed in all three classes (α-, β and γ-) of crystallins by irradiation in the presence of the photosensitizer methylene blue. Near-UV circular dichroism (CD) spectra of the crystallins were significantly altered by irradiation under these conditions, indicating changes in tertiary structure but the far-UV CD remained unchanged suggesting that the secondary structure ((β-sheet conformation) remains unchanged. Significant changes in the absorption and fluorescence spectra were also observed. Measurement of total sulfhydryl content showed a decrease of 27%, 50% and 37% for α-, β- and γ-crystallins respectively, after irradiation. Fluorescence lifetime measurements of N-iodoacetyl-N'-(5-sulfo-l-naphthyl)ethylenediamine-labeled crystallins showed a significant decrease of the lifetime of the major decay components of the label bound to sulfhydryl groups of α- and γ-crystallins, but showed no change in the microenvironment of the sulfhydryl groups of β-crystallin. The results are consistent with the microenvironments of the tryptophan and sulfhydryl groups predicted from sequence studies.