Supramolecular chirogenesis in zinc porphyrins: interaction with bidentate ligands,formation of tweezer structures,and the origin of enhanced optical activity

The complexation behavior, binding properties, and spectral parameters of supramolecular chirality induction in the achiral host molecule, syn (face-to-face conformation) ethane-bridged bis(zinc porphyrin), upon interaction with chiral bidentate guests (diamines and amino alcohols) have been studied by means of UV-vis, CD, fluorescence, (1)H NMR, and ESI MS techniques. It was found that the guest structure plays a decisive role in the chirogenesis pathway. The majority of bidentate ligands (except those geometrically unsuitable) exhibit two major equilibria steps: the first guest ligation leading to formation of the 1:1 host-guest tweezer structure (K(1)) and the second guest molecule ligation (K(2)) forming the anti bis-ligated species (1:2). The second ligation is much weaker (K(1) > K(2)) due to the optimal geometry and stability of the 1:1 tweezer complex. The enhanced conformational stability of the tweezer complex ensures an efficient chirality transfer from the chiral guest to the achiral host, consequently inducing a remarkably high optical activity in the bis-porphyrin.     

Evaluation of the DNA Alkylation Properties of a Chlorambucil-Conjugated Cyclic Pyrrole-Imidazole Polyamide

Hairpin pyrrole-imidazole polyamides (hPIPs) and their chlorambucil (Chb) conjugates (hPIP-Chbs) can alkylate DNA in a sequence-specific manner, and have been studied as anticancer drugs. Here, we conjugated Chb to a cyclic PIP (cPIP), which is known to have a higher binding affinity than the corresponding hPIP, and investigated the DNA alkylation properties of the resulting cPIP-Chb using the optimized capillary electrophoresis method and conventional HPLC product analysis. cPIP-Chb conjugate 3 showed higher alkylation activity at its binding sites than did hPIP-Chb conjugates 1 and 2 . Subsequent HPLC analysis revealed that the alkylation site of conjugate 3 , which was identified by capillary electrophoresis, was reliable and that conjugate 3 alkylates the N3 position of adenine as do hPIP-Chbs. Moreover, conjugate 3 showed higher cytotoxicity against LNCaP prostate cancer cells than did conjugate 1 and cytotoxicity comparable to that of conjugate 2 . These results suggest that cPIP-Chbs could be novel DNA alkylating anticancer drugs.     

Saccharide Recognition by a Three-Arm-Shaped Host Having Preorganized Three-Dimensional Hydrogen-Bonding Sites

Generally, cage-shaped hosts for saccharides can bind strongly to guest molecules because of the three-dimensional preorganized hydrogen-bonding sites. However, the preparation of cage molecules is often difficult because of the low yield of the macrocyclization step. Here, we report a three-arm-shaped molecule possessing pyridine-acetylene-phenol units as a new kind of host having a preorganized three-dimensional hydrogen-bonding site. This three-arm-shaped host was readily prepared compared to a cage-shaped analogue. This host associated with lipophilic glycosides to form chiral complexes, and the association constants were sufficiently high as to be comparable to those of the cage-shaped analogue. Furthermore, this host extracted native monosaccharides into a lipophilic solvent.     

Mapping analyses of Fe-diffused mc-Si using M?ssbauer microscope and photoluminescence

Twenty CK chondrites collected in the Antarctica Continent were characterized by inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), prompt gamma ray analysis (PGA), instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and ⁵⁷Fe-M?ssbauer spectroscopy. As a result of elemental analysis, it was revealed that 18.2~26.4 mass% of iron was included in the each chondrite. M?ssbauer spectrum of LEW86258, classified as a typical CK chondrite, was found to be composed of two paramagnetic doublets and two magnetic sextets. M?ssbauer spectra were assigned to the absorption due to forsterite (Mg_1.36Fe_0.64SiO₄) and magnetite (Fe₃O₄), as also confirmed by XRD. XRD study of LAP03834, reclassified from CK to R chondrite, revealed the presence of crystalline phase due to forsterite. These results indicate that LAP03834 and related chondrites, i.e., MET01149, LAP03923 and MAC02453, should be reclassified as R or LL chondrite.     

Synthesis of green organogelators with a sulfide linkage via solvent-free Michael addition: soft templates for the preparation of size-controlled gold nanoparticles

Green organogelators with a sulfide linkage and free amino groups were synthesized via phase transfer catalysis using a N-benzylcinchonidinium bromide catalyst. Their self-assemblies in various common solvents were examined. These compounds exhibit high gelation ability especially in aromatic and highly polar solvents with a low critical gelation of 0.1 wt %. The organogels were analyzed by ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) and Fourier transfer-infrared spectroscopies (FT-IR), and their phase transition temperatures were determined by differential scanning calorimetry. The homogeneity of the gel networks was examined by field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A lamellar structure was also confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. The organogels were employed as soft-templates for the in situ generation of stable gold nanoparticles dispersed in the gel matrix, and the resulting GNP dispersions were studied by ¹H NMR and UV–vis absorption. Transmission electron microscopy showed that GNPs assemble into a thin membrane-like structure.     

Room-Temperature Phosphorescence from a Series of 3-Pyridylcarbazole Derivatives

Exploration of pure metal-free organic molecules that exhibit strong room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) is an emerging research topic. In this regard, unveiling the design principles for an efficient RTP molecule is an essential, but challenging, task. A small molecule is an ideal platform to precisely understand the fundamental role of each functional component because the parent molecule can be easily derivatized. Here, the RTP behaviors of a series of 3-pyridylcarbazole derivatives are presented. Experimental studies in combination with theoretical calculations reveal the crucial role of the n orbital on the central pyridine ring in the dramatic enhancement of the intersystem crossing between the charge-transfer-excited singlet state and the locally excited triplet states. Single-crystal X-ray crystallographic studies apparently indicate that both the pyridine ring and fluorine atom contribute to the enhancement of the RTP because of the restricted motion owing to weak C−H⋅⋅⋅N and H⋅⋅⋅F hydrogen-bonding interactions. The single crystal of the fluorine-substituted derivative shows an ultra-long phosphorescent lifetime (τ_P) of 1.1 s and a phosphorescence quantum yield (Φ_P) of 1.2 %, whereas the bromine-substituted derivative exhibits τ_P of 0.15 s with a Φ_P of 7.9 %. We believe that this work provides a fundamental and universal guideline for the generation of pure organic molecules exhibiting strong RTP.     

Synthetic Studies on Spirolides A and B: Formation of the Upper Carbon Framework Based on a Lewis Acid Template-Catalyzed Diels–Alder Reaction

The upper fragment of spirolides A and B, which are marine phycotoxins that exhibit strong antagonistic activities on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, was constructed. The functionalized cyclohexene in spirolides was stereoselectively synthesized from the bicyclic lactone, which could be readily accessed by the Lewis acid template-catalyzed asymmetric Diels–Alder reaction of the pentadienol and methyl acrylate.     

A Nonenzymatic Kinetic Resolution of (±)-trans-2-Arylcyclohexanols via Esterification Using Polymer-Supported DCC,DMAP, and 3β-Acetoxyetienic Acid

A nonenzymatic kinetic resolution of (±)-trans-2-arylcyclohexanols was carried out by esterification using polymer-supported N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC), dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP), and 3β-acetoxyetienic acid. The efficiency of the kinetic resolution was comparable to the enzymatic method when arylcyclohexanols bearing a condensed-aromatic ring were used.

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