Photocontrolled release and uptake of a porphyrin guest by dithienylethene-tethered beta-cyclodextrin host dimers

Two photoswitchable dithienylethene-tethered beta-cyclodextrin dimers were synthesized to function as host molecules with an externally controllable binding affinity. The cyclodextrin cavities of these dimers are linked through their secondary sides by a photochromic dithienylethene unit that is connected to the secondary rim either directly (4) or through propyl spacers (9). Irradiation with light switches these dimers between a relatively flexible (open) and a rigid (closed) form. The binding properties of the dimers depend on the configuration of the dithienylethene spacer, as is shown by microcalorimetry performed with tetrakis-sulfonatophenyl porphyrin (TSPP) as a guest molecule. The differences in binding properties are most pronounced for the more rigid dimer 4, which binds TSPP 35 times more strongly in the open form (4 a) than in the closed form (4 b). The values found for the enthalpy of binding (deltaH degrees ) indicate that this difference in binding is due to the loss of cooperativity between the two beta-cyclodextrin cavities in the closed form. Molecular modeling shows that 4 b is not able to bind TSPP effectively in both cyclodextrin cavities. The open and closed forms of the more flexible dimer 9 show no substantial difference in their binding of TSPP. Thermodynamic values indicative of strong binding of TSPP by two beta-cyclodextrin cavities were measured for both forms of the dimer, and molecular modeling confirms that both are flexible enough to tightly bind TSPP. The binding differences between the forms of dimer 4 allow the photocontrolled release and uptake of TSPP, which renders control of the ratio of complexed to free TSPP in solution possible.     

MAS NMR structure of a microcrystalline Cd-bacteriochlorophyll d analogue

Solid-state NMR is an emerging method to obtain structural information in molecular biology and nanotechnology for systems that are inaccessible to solution NMR or diffraction methods. While solution NMR generally converges upon families of structures in a bottom-up approach, solid NMR structure determination will have to take into account the top-down constraints that follow from the additional requirement that the entire 3D space must be packed in an orderly fashion. We used MAS NMR together with molecular modeling calculations in steps to establish a detailed model of the local crystal structure of an aggregate of uniformly 13C- and 15N-labeled Cd-chlorophyllide d, a model for the chlorosomal antennae. In this way we converge upon a space group P21 with a = 14.3 A, b = 27.3 A, c = 6.4 A, beta = 147.2 degrees and Z = 2.     

MAGIC ANGLE SPINNING NMR STUDIES ON THE METARHODOPSIN II INTERMEDIATE OF BOVINE RHODOPSIN: EVIDENCE FOR AN UNPROTONATED SCHIFF BASE

Magic angle spinning (MAS)13C-NMR spectra of the metarhodopsin II intermediate have been obtained using bovine rhodopsin regenerated with retinal 13C-labeled at the C-13 and C-15 positions to investigate the protonation state of the retinal Schiff base linkage. The 13C-labeled rhodopsin was reconstituted into 1,2-dipalmitoleoylphosphatidylcholine bilayers to increase the amount of meta II trapped at low temperature. Both the 13C-15 (159.2 ppm) and 13C-13 (144.0 ppm) isotropic chemical shifts are characteristic of an unprotonated Schiff base, while the 13C-15 shift is significantly different from that of retinal (191 ppm) or a tetrahedral carbinolamine group (70-90 ppm) previously proposed as an intermediate in the hydrolysis of the Schiff base at the meta II stage. This rules out the possibility that meta II non-covalently binds retinal or is a carbinolamine intermediate and provides convincing evidence that Schiff base deprotonation occurs in the meta I-meta II transition, an event that is likely to be important in triggering the activation of transducin.     

Toward poly(aminophthalimide), structures of dimers and trimers

Poly(aminophthalimide) (PAP) dimers and trimers have been synthesized by palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of 3-aminophthalimides with 3-chloro- and 3,6-dichlorophthalimide, respectively. When Pd(OAc)₂, XPhos (2-dicyclohexylphosphino-2′,4′,6′-triisopropylbiphenyl), and K₃PO₄ are used, the C-N bond-forming reactions proceed quantitatively. The structures of those oligomers are examined by experimental and theoretical techniques including NMR, IR, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and DFT calculations. The strong preference for cisoid structure of the diphthalimidylamine unit bearing a bifurcate hydrogen bonding is disclosed. Therefore, the aminophthalimide backbone is a highly promising candidate for the construction of a dynamically ordered helical structure.     

Electronic structure and bonding of the metal cluster compound Au55(PPh3)12Cl6

We discuss the electronic structure, bonding and physical properties of the gold cluster compound Au₅₅(PPh₃)₁₂Cl₆. Results from our experimental measurements, including EXAFS, specific heat, Mössbauer, UV-visible and photoelectron spectroscopy, are combined with those of other work to form a consistent physical picture of the system. The bonding in Au₅₅(PPh₃)₁₂Cl₆ is much more delocalised and non-directional than in smaller gold cluster molecules. The Au₅₅ cluster exhibits a substantial degree of metallic bonding, while displaying some of the characteristics of a discrete energy level spectrum.     

Structural Aspects of Lithium Arenethiolate Complexes with Intramolecular Coordinating Amine Donors

Reaction of aryllithium reagents LiR (R = C(6)H(4)((R)-CH(Me)NMe(2))-2 (1a), C(6)H(3)(CH(2)NMe(2))(2)-2,6 (1b), C(6)H(4)(CH(2)N(Me)CH(2)CH(2)OMe)-2 (1c)) with 1 equiv of sulfur (1/8 S(8)) results in the quantitative formation of the corresponding lithium arenethiolates [Li{SC(6)H(4)((R)-CH(Me)NMe(2))-2}](6) (3), [Li{SC(6)H(3)(CH(2)NMe(2))(2)-2,6}](6) (4), and [Li{SC(6)H(4)(CH(2)N(Me)CH(2)CH(2)OMe)-2}](2) (5). Alternatively, 3 can be prepared by reacting the corresponding arenethiol HSC(6)H(4)((R)-CH(Me)NMe(2))-2 (2) with (n)BuLi. X-ray crystal structures of lithium arenethiolates 3 and 4, reported in abbreviated form, show them to have hexanuclear prismatic and hexanuclear planar structures, respectively, that are unprecedented in lithium thiolate chemistry. The lithium arenethiolate [Li{SC(6)H(4)(CH(2)N(Me)CH(2)CH(2)OMe)-2}](2) (5) is dimeric in the solid state and in solution, and crystals of 5 are monoclinic, space group P2(1)/c, with a = 17.7963(9) ?, b = 8.1281(7) ?, c = 17.1340(10) ?, beta = 108.288(5) degrees, Z = 4, and final R = 0.047 for 4051 reflections with F > 4sigma(F). Hexameric 4 reacts with 1 equiv of lithium iodide and 2 equiv of tetrahydrofuran to form the dinuclear adduct [Li(2)(SAr)(I)(THF)(2)] (6). Crystals of 6 are monoclinic, space group P2(1)/c, with a = 13.0346(10) ?, b = 11.523(3) ?, c = 16.127(3) ?, beta = 94.682(10) degrees, Z = 4, and final R = 0.059 for 3190 reflections with F > 4sigma(F).     

Polarographic and liquid chromatographic methods for the determination of sulfur residues on grapes and wheat

Sampled d.c. and differential pulse polarography are used, in batch mode, to determine sulfur in methanol/0.1 M ammonium acetate (pH 5.0). A two-electron reaction (reduction of sulfur to sulfide) is shown to be involved. Differential pulse polarography is sensitive for the determination of sulfur in relatively clean solutions; the detection limit is 7.2 μg l^?1. The interference of heavy metals (Pb and Cd) is avoided by addition of EDTA. For complex matrices, such as extracts of wheat and grapes, matrix effects are serious. For such samples, reversed-phase liquid chromatography with amperometric detection (dropping mercury electrode) gives excellent results. A relatively simple procedure is described for the determination of sulfur residues in wheat and grapes at levels ? 0.5 mg kg ^?1; linear response is obtained up to ca. 7 mg kg^?1.