Low-frequency vibrations specific for conformers of 1-aminoindan studied by UV-UV hole-burning spectroscopy

The UV-UV hole-burning spectra of the jet-cooled 1-aminoindan were measured for the first time. Complicated spectral features observed in the laser-induced fluorescence excitation spectrum due to two conformers, R and B, were firmly separated. On the basis of fluorescence measurements and B3LYP/cc-pVTZ calculations, low-frequency ring twisting and ring puckering modes were assigned. These modes are coupled in the S1 state due to the Duschinsky rotation. The Duschinsky matrix was calculated from the normal modes predicted by quantum chemical calculations. The coupling between the twisting and puckering modes for conformer B is stronger than that for conformer R. The twisting mode was observed at 0+99 cm(-1) in the S1 state for conformer B, while not for conformer R. The Franck-Condon activity of the twisting mode substantially differs between the two conformers. The transition to the twisting level for conformer B would be allowed by the Duschinsky rotation. The fluorescence lifetime of conformer vibronic levels was also measured and differed for each conformer.     

Synthesis of a new bifunctionalised fluorescent label and physical properties of the bound form on model peptide of troponin C

A new bifunctional fluorescent label, BRos, was synthesised in order to monitor protein dynamics using fluorescence microscopy, and the photophysical properties were compared with those of bifunctionalised rhodamine, BRho. In a labelling experiment with a model peptide of troponin C, which regulates muscle contraction and relaxation, it was found that BRos was bound to the peptide through two linkages and provided a homogeneous compound, whereas BRho gave a pair of diastereomers having different physical properties in NMR and HPLC analyses.     

Methylenecyclopropanes in [4+1] cycloaddition with enones

A nickel-catalyzed [4+1] cycloaddition of enones with methylenecyclopropanes leading to dihydrofurans was developed. The reaction outcome is attributed to the transformation of methlenecyclopropane, which is incorporated into a five-membered ring as a one-carbon fragment.     

Chiral amines as reagents for HPLC-MS enantioseparation of chiral carboxylic acids

Mass spectrometry (MS) has become a popular analytical technique because of its high sensitivity and specificity. Therefore, the use of a chiral derivatization reagent for the MS detection seems to be efficient for the enantiomeric separation of racemates. However, the number of chiral reagents for the liquid chromatography (LC)-tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) analysis is very limited. The applicability of commercially available chiral amines as the derivatization reagents for the enantiomeric separation of chiral carboxylic acids is reported in this paper by using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), i.e. ibuprofen, flurbiprofen, and loxoprofen. The efficiency of the chiral reagents was evaluated in terms of tagging easiness, separation by reversed-phase chromatography, and detection sensitivity by electrospray ionization (ESI)-MS/MS. Among the tested eight chiral amines, i.e. (R)-(+)-4-(3-aminopyrrolidin-1-yl)-7-(N,N-dimethylaminosulfonyl)-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole (DBD-APy), (S)-(+)-1-(2-pyrrolidinylmethyl)-pyrrolidine (PMP), L-prolinamide, (3R)-(-)-1-benzyl-3-aminopyrrolidine, (S)-(+)-1-cyclohexyl-ethylamine, (3R)-(+)-3-(trifluoroacetamido)-pyrrolidine (TFAP), (R)-(-)-1-aminoindan (AI), and (S)-(+)-tetrahydrofurfuryl-amine, DBD-APy, PMP, AI, and TFAP could be used as the chiral reagents for the enantiomeric separation of the NSAIDs. The Rs values and the detection limits of the derivatives were in the range of 1.29-3.85 and 0.57-0.96 fmol, respectively. These four reagents were applied for the determination of the NSAIDs in rat plasma.     

Detection of cellular damage by hydrogen peroxide using SV40-T2 cells on shear horizontal surface acoustic wave (SH-SAW) sensor

The rat lung epithelial cell line SV40-T2 was used to develop a cellular biosensing system to assay for environmental toxicants. The novel approach on which this system is based involves direct attachment of cultured rat or human cells onto a cell-adhesive matrix on the device through which shear horizontal surface acoustic waves (SH-SAW) are transmitted using 50 MHz SAW resonator. This novel design enables sensitive monitoring of changes of the electrophysical characteristics of cells, such as their conductivity and relative permittivity. A time-dependent change of phase of SAW and change of insertion loss (change of amplitude) were observed when the cells were treated with 0.5 or 1.0 mM H₂O₂. The change of insertion loss was biphasic, with an early phase (1–3 h) and a late phase (3–6 h). The late phase coincided with the destruction of cell–cell tight junctions detected by measurement of the transepithelial electrical resistance and paracellular permeability; in contrast, the early phase coincided with the destruction of intracellular actin filaments by H₂O₂. The early-phase effect of H₂O₂ on phase shift may be attributable to the change of intracellular permittivity by a change of cellular polarity. Immunofluorescence microscopy showed the disappearance of zonula occludens protein 1 from the region of cell–cell contact. These results suggest the correlation between the change of insertion loss as an SAW parameter and the destruction of tight junctions of the cells on the SH-SAW device in the late phase.     

A Ferromagnetic Interaction between Cu(2+) Centers through a [CrO(4)](2-) Bridge: Crystal Structures and Magnetic Properties of [{Cu(acpa)}(2)(&mgr;-MO(4))] (M = Cr, Mo) (Hacpa = N-(1-Acetyl-2-propyridene)(2-pyridylmethyl)amine)

The reaction of [Cu(acpa)](+) with [MO(4)](2)(-) (Hacpa = N-(1-acetyl-2-propyridene)(2-pyridylmethyl)amine and M = Cr and Mo) in water-methanol or water-acetonitrile solution affords dinuclear copper(II) complexes with metalate bridges, [{Cu(acpa)}(2)(&mgr;-CrO(4))].4CH(3)OH.4H(2)O (1) and [{Cu(acpa)}(2)(&mgr;-MoO(4))].4H(2)O (2), respectively. The crystal structures and the magnetic properties have been studied. Complexes 1 and 2 are isomorphous and the structures are made up of discrete dimers in which two copper(II) ions are bridged by the [MO(4)](2)(-) anion. The coordination geometry about the copper(II) ions is square planar with a N(2)O chelate group from acpa and an oxygen atom from [MO(4)](2)(-). Magnetic susceptibility measurements for 1 revealed that a ferromagnetic interaction between copper(II) ions is propagated through the [CrO(4)](2)(-) bridge and the coupling constant (2J) was evaluated to be 14.6(1) cm(-)(1) (H = -2JS(1).S(2)). In 2, two copper(II) ions bridged by [MoO(4)](2)(-) anion are antiferromagnetically coupled with the 2J value of -5.1(4) cm(-)(1). The ferromagnetic interaction in 1 is explained by means of the orbital topology of frontier orbitals. Crystal data: 1, monoclinic, space group P2(1)/m, a = 8.349(2) ?, b = 17.616(3) ?, c = 10.473 ?, beta = 107.40(2) degrees, Z= 2; 2, monoclinic, space group P2(1)/m, a = 8.486(2) ?, b = 18.043(3) ?, c = 9.753(2) ?, beta = 95.82(2) degrees, Z = 2.     

Rational principles for modulating fluorescence properties of fluorescein

Rational design strategies based on practical fluorescence modulation mechanisms would enable us to rapidly develop novel fluorescence probes for target molecules. Here, we present a practical and general principle for modulating the fluorescence properties of fluorescein. We hypothesized that (a) the fluorescein molecule can be divided into two moieties, i.e., the xanthene moiety as a fluorophore and the benzene moiety as a fluorescence-controlling moiety, even though there is no obvious linker structure between them, and (b) the fluorescence properties can be modulated via a photoinduced electron transfer (PeT) process from the excited fluorophore to a reducible benzene moiety (donor-excited PeT; d-PeT). To evaluate the relationship between the reduction potential of the benzene moiety and the fluorescence properties, we designed and synthesized various derivatives in which the reduction potential of the benzene moiety was fine tuned by introducing electron-withdrawing groups onto the benzene moiety. Our results clearly show that the fluorescence properties of fluorescein derivatives were indeed finely modulated depending upon the reduction potential of the benzene moiety. This information provides a basis for a practical strategy for rational design of novel functional fluorescence probes.     

Complexed bridging ligand,Cu(bptap)2, as a ferromagnetic coupler

A novel complexed bridging ligand [Cu(bptap)2] which acts as a ferromagnetic coupler forms one dimensional chain consisting of tri-copper(II) [Cu2(Cu(bptap)2)]4+ units in which adjoining copper(II) ions are ferromagnetically coupled.     

Tough epoxy resins cured with aminimides

Aminimide compounds ( 1–4 ) thermally generating isocyanates and tertiary amines were found to be excellent curing agents for epoxy resin. Tensile behavior, glass transition temperature, and degree of curing for the combination of EPIKOTE 828 prepolymer with a series of curing agents ( 1–4 ) are reported. The resins exhibit a large elongation at breakage and a high fracture energy per unit volume. The epoxy resins (EP-AI) cured with 3 or 4 containing no hydroxyl group showed larger ultimate elongations (up to 15%) and higher fracture energies (ca. 8 J/cm³) than the resins (EP–AI_OH) cured with 1 or 2 . The curing reaction depends on the structure of aminimide (presence of hydroxyl group and generation of mono- or bisisocyanates). The origin of toughness and dependence of physical properties on the curing condition and the structure of aminimides were discussed. It was concluded that relatively slow curing at elevated temperature controlled by thermal decomposition of aminimides was a reason for the toughness.