Filtered backprojection for the reconstruction of a high-resolution (4,2)D CH3-NH NOESY spectrum on a 29 kDa protein

Projection-reconstruction (PR) NMR enables rapid collection of multidimensional NMR data. NOESY represents a particularly difficult challenge for currently existing reconstruction algorithms, as it requires the quantitative reconstruction of an unknown number of peaks, at full sensitivity. We have demonstrated the successful application of PR-NMR to NOESY by determining the 4D methyl/amide NOESY spectrum of a 29 kDa protein, human carbonic anhydrase II, from 2D projections, using filtered backprojection for reconstruction. Compared with a 3D control spectrum, all expected peaks were faithfully reconstructed, with correct volumes and with no artifacts. Filtered backprojection thus provides a way to obtain high-resolution 4D NOESY data in the time required for conventional 3D data collection.     

Design and characterization of libraries of molecular fragments for use in NMR screening against protein targets

We have designed four generations of a low molecular weight fragment library for use in NMR-based screening against protein targets. The library initially contained 723 fragments which were selected manually from the Available Chemicals Directory. A series of in silico filters and property calculations were developed to automate the selection process, allowing a larger database of 1.79 M available compounds to be searched for a further 357 compounds that were added to the library. A kinase binding pharmacophore was then derived to select 174 kinase-focused fragments. Finally, an additional 61 fragments were selected to increase the number of different pharmacophores represented within the library. All of the fragments added to the library passed quality checks to ensure they were suitable for the screening protocol, with appropriate solubility, purity, chemical stability, and unambiguous NMR spectrum. The successive generations of libraries have been characterized through analysis of structural properties (molecular weight, lipophilicity, polar surface area, number of rotatable bonds, and hydrogen-bonding potential) and by analyzing their pharmacophoric complexity. These calculations have been used to compare the fragment libraries with a drug-like reference set of compounds and a set of molecules that bind to protein active sites. In addition, an analysis of the overall results of screening the library against the ATP binding site of two protein targets (HSP90 and CDK2) reveals different patterns of fragment binding, demonstrating that the approach can find selective compounds that discriminate between related binding sites.     

Synthesis of pyridine and 2,2′-bipyridine derivatives from the aza Diels-Alder reaction of substituted 1,2,4-triazines

Amidrazone 1a and the tricarbonyl derivatives 2b-d reacted in boiling ethanol in the presence of 2,5-norbornadiene 5 giving the pyridine derivatives 6b-d respectively (59-72%) and in the presence of 2,3-dihydrofuran 7 yielding the lactones 10b-d (39-44%). The 2,2′-bipyridine derivatives 6e-g were similarly obtained in good yield (81-87%) from the reaction of amidrazone 1b and tricarbonyl derivatives 2b-d in the presence of 2,5-norbornadiene 5.     

The photochemical rearrangement of a steroidal dienol triflate

Photolysis of the steroidal dienol triflate in pyridine solution using a medium pressure mercury lamp leads to the formation of 6β-trifluoromethyl enone in 78% yield. The structure of compound was confirmed by x-ray analysis.     

Poly(butyl methacrylate-g-methoxypoly(ethylene glycol)) and poly(methyl methacrylate-g-methoxypoly(ethylene glycol)) graft copolymers: preparation and aqueous solution properties

A series of water-soluble, amphiphilic graft copolymers has been prepared by free-radical copolymerization of methoxypoly(ethylene glycol) macromonomers, with either methyl methacrylate or butyl methacrylate as the comonomers, in water/ethanol solvent mixtures. Lower molecular weight copolymers were obtained by increasing the concentration of the initiator, azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN), used in the polymerization reaction. However, the route used also led to the formation of significant quantities of tetramethylsuccinodinitrile, a toxic byproduct resulting from the cage reaction of AIBN. Static fluorescence measurements using pyrene as a probe, along with 1H NMR experiments, showed that the graft copolymers form aggregates in water at very low concentrations (approximately 0.01 g l(-1)) with the pendant hydrophilic graft chains forming a stabilizing shell around the hydrophobic backbone. An increase in the hydrophile-lipophile balance of the graft copolymers was found to lead to smaller aggregates with lower aggregation numbers and highly swollen hydrophilic shells, as revealed by small angle neutron scattering (SANS).     

Novel peripherally functionalized seco-porphyrazines: synthesis, characterization and spectroscopic evaluation

Co-macrocyclizations of 2,3-dipropylmaleonitrile and 2,3-di-(4-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl)maleonitrile, respectively, with N,N′-dibenzyl-N,N′-di-(11-tetrahydropyranyloxy-3,6,9-trioxo-undecyl))maleonitrile and N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylmaleonitrile were used to prepare derivatives of the 4,5-diamino-porphyrazine systems including the zinc(II) complexes. Subsequent oxidation of the macrocycles with potassium permanganate gave the corresponding seco-porphyrazines. These were shown to be efficient sensitizers for the production of singlet oxygen (Φ_Δ=0.15-0.57) by the determination of their photophysical properties.     

Equilibrium and kinetic aspects of the uptake of poly(ethylene oxide) by copolymer microgel particles of N-isopropylacrylamide and acrylic acid

The use of microgels for controlled uptake and release has been an area of active research for many years. In this work copolymer microgels of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) and acrylic acid (AAc), containing different concentrations of AAc and also cross-linking monomer, have been prepared and characterized. These microgels are responsive to pH and temperature. As well as monitoring the equilibrium response to changes in these variables, the rates of swelling/de-swelling of the microgel particles, on changing either the pH or the temperature, have also been investigated. It is shown that the rate of de-swelling of the microgel particles containing AAc is much faster than the rate of swelling, on changing the pH appropriately. This is explained in terms of the relative mobilities of the H(+) and Na(+) ions, in and out of the particles. It was observed that the microgels containing AAc, at pH 8, de-swelled relatively slowly on heating to 50 degrees C from 20 degrees C. This is attributed to the resistance to collapse associated with the large increase in counterion concentration inside the microgel particles. The swelling and de-swelling properties of these copolymer microgels have also been investigated in aqueous poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) solutions, of different MW (2000-300 000). The corresponding absorbed amounts of PEO from solution onto the microgels have also been determined using a depletion method. The results, as a function of AAc content, cross-linker concentration, PEO MW, pH, and temperature, have been rationalized in terms of the ease and depth of penetration of the PEO chains into the various microgel particles and also the H-bonding associations between PEO and either the -COOH of the AAc moeities and/or the H of the amide groups (much weaker). Finally, the adsorption and desorption of the PEO molecules in to and out of the microgel particles have been shown to be extremely slow compared to normal diffusion time scales for polymer adsorption onto rigid surfaces.     

Self-selection in olefin cross-metathesis: the effect of remote functionality

Olefin cross-metathesis (CM) is potentially an attractive method for generating dynamic combinatorial libraries (DCLs). In order for the CM reaction to be useful for DCL production, the course of the reaction and product distribution must be relatively insensitive to functionality remote from the reacting centers. We report on the CM of a series of allyl- and homoallylamides that are strongly dependent on remote functionality. This includes an unusual example of a cis-selective CM. [Reaction: see text]     

Syntheses, structures, and reactivity of new pentamethylcyclopentadienyl-rhodium(III) and -iridium(III) 4-acyl-5-pyrazolonate complexes

New [CpM(Q)Cl] complexes (M = Rh or Ir, Cp = pentamethylcyclopentadienyl, HQ = 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4R(C=O)-pyrazol-5-one in general, in detail HQ(Me), R = CH(3); HQ(Et), R = CH(2)CH(3); HQ(Piv), R = CH(2)-C(CH(3))(3); HQ(Bn), R = CH(2)-(C(6)H(5)); HQ(S), R = CH-(C(6)H(5))(2)) have been synthesized from the reaction of [CpMCl(2)](2) with the sodium salt, NaQ, of the appropriate HQ proligand. Crystal structure determinations for a representative selection of these [CpM(Q)Cl] compounds show a pseudo-octahedral metal environment with the Q ligand bonded in the O,O'-chelating form. In each case, two enantiomers (S(M)) and (R(M)) arise, differing only in the metal chirality. The reaction of [CpRh(Q(Bn))Cl] with MgCH(3)Br produces only halide exchange with the formation of [CpRh(Q(Bn))Br]. The [CpRh(Q)Cl] complexes react with PPh(3) in dichloromethane yielding the adducts CpRh(Q)Cl/PPh(3) (1:1) which exist in solution in two different isomeric forms. The interaction of [CpRh(Q(Me))Cl] with AgNO(3) in MeCN allows generation of [CpRh(Q(Me))(MeCN)]NO(3).3H(2)O, whereas the reaction of [CpRh(Q(Me))Cl] with AgClO(4) in the same solvent yields both [CpRh(Q(Me))(H(2)O)]ClO(4) and [CpRh(Cl)(H(2)O)(2)]ClO(4); the H(2)O molecules derive from the not-rigorously anhydrous solvents or silver salts.     

Influence of surface states on electron transport through intrinsic Ge nanowires

Solution-grown single-crystal Ge nanowires were used as conductive channels in field effect transistor devices to study the influence of surface states on their electron transport properties. Nanowires contacted with Pt electrodes using focused ion beam metal deposition exhibited linear current-voltage (IV) curves at room temperature with apparent resistivities ranging from 10(1) to 10(-1) Omega cm. In all cases, the nanowire conductance decreased with positive external electric fields applied perpendicular to the nanowire surface by a gate electrode, characteristic of p-type carrier accumulation at the nanowire surface. The field-induced change in conductance exhibited a time-dependent relaxation, with response time and magnitude of current decrease that depended on the nanowire surface chemistry. Nanowires treated with an organic passivation layer using a thermally initiated hydrogermylation reaction exhibited 2 orders of magnitude slower current relaxation and a smaller decrease in current relative to "bare" nanowires with oxidized surfaces.