Acyl- und Alkylidenphosphane. XXII [1]. Synthese und Struktur des 1, 3-Dimethyl-2,2,4,4-tetrakis-(trimethylsilylsulfano)-1,3-diphosphetans

Acyl- and Alkylidenephosphines. XXII. Synthesis and Structure of 1, 3-Dimethyl-2,2,4,4-tetrakis(trimethylsilylsulfano)-1,3-diphosphetane At ?30°C methylbis(trimethylsilyl)phosphine reacts with carbon disulfide to give a red adduct first which rearranges to [bis(trimethylsilylsulfano)methylidene]methylphosphine 1a . In contrast to the thermally stable phenyl derivative 1b [2], this compound with its insufficiently shielded P?C group dimerizes fast with increasing temperature. 1,3-Dimethyl-2,2,4,4-tetrakis(trimethylsilylsulfano)-1,3-diphosphetane 2a formed by this reaction, crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1 with following dimensions of the unit cell, determined at a temperature of measurement of ?80 ± 3°C: a = 1024.7(3); b = 1360.2(5); c = 1326.3(6)pm; α = 117.85(4); ß = 111.05(3); γ = 72.09(3)°; Z = 2. Due to ring folding at the P1? P2 axis of 149.1°, the molecule shows pseudosymmetry C_s. Characteristic averaged bond lengths and angles obtained at an R_w-value of 0.030, are: P? C(endocyclic) 188 and 191; P? CH₃ 184; C? S 183; S? Si 216 pm; C? P? CH₃ 105; P? C? S 113; S? C? S 114; C? S? Si 108; P? C? P 90 and C? P? C 86°.     

Toward efficient Zn(II)-based artificial nucleases

A series of cis-cis-triaminocyclohexane Zn(II) complex-anthraquinone intercalator conjugates, designed in such a way to allow their easy synthesis and modification, have been investigated as hydrolytic cleaving agents for plasmid DNA. The ligand structure comprises a triaminocyclohexane platform linked by means of alkyl spacers of different length (from C(4) to C(8)) to the anthraquinone group which may intercalate the DNA. At a concentration of 5 microM, the complex of the derivative with a C(8) alkyl spacer induces the hydrolytic stand scission of supercoiled DNA with a rate of 4.6 x 10(-6) s(-1) at pH 7 and 37 degrees C. The conjugation of the metal complex with the anthraquinone group leads to a 15-fold increase of the cleavage efficiency when compared with the anthraquinone lacking Zn-triaminocyclohexane complex. The straightforward synthetic procedure employed, allowing a systematic change of the spacer length, made possible to gain more insight on the role of the intercalating group in determining the reactivity of the systems. Comparison of the reactivity of the different complexes shows a remarkable increase of the DNA cleaving efficiency with the length of the spacer. In the case of too-short spacers, the advantages due to the increased DNA affinity are canceled due to the incorrect positioning of the reactive group, thus leading to cleavage inhibition.     

An improved synthesis of a trifurcated newkome-type monomer and orthogonally protected two-generation dendrons

The one-step synthesis of amino-polyether tri-tert-butyl ester monomer 2, by condensation of TRIS with tert-butyl acrylate, is reported. The nitrogen of the monomer can be protected with a Cbz group; subsequent removal of the tert-butyl esters with formic acid affords a triacid that is coupled to three monomers to afford an orthogonally protected two-generation, trifurcated polyether-polyamide dendron. The Cbz protecting group may be removed from the second-generation dendron without disturbing the tert-butyl esters of the periphery.     

Aminierende reduktive Kupplung aromatischer Aldehyde mit niervalenten Titan-Reagenzien zu 1,2-Diarylethylendiaminen

Preparation of 1,2-Diarylethylenediamines by Aminative Reductive Coupling of Aromatic Aldehydes with Low-Valent Titanium Reagents In a novel McMurry- Type one-pot reaction, aromatic aldehydes and secondary amines are poupled of give the N, N, N′, N′-tetraalkyl-1,2-diarylethylendiamines 1–22 (Table 3). To this end, a lithium dialkylamide is added to an aromatic aldehyde to give the adduct B which is then treated with 1 equiv. of TiC1₄ to yield a coloured suspension of a reagent synthetically equivalent to a iminium salt ( C/D in Scheme 4). After treatment with a low-valent Ti reagent which is prepared by reduction of TiC1₄ with either K or, preferably, Mg, the coupling products are isolated in 23 to 81% yield as a 1:1 mixture of the diastereoisomers (meso- and rac-form). These are separated either by chromatography or by crystallization and characterized.     

Molekül- und Kristallstruktur des 1,4-Bis[tris(tetrahydrofuran)lithium]-octaphenyltetrasilans

Molecular and Crystal Structure of 1,4-Bis[tris(tetrahydrofuran)lithium]-octaphenyltetrasilane 1,4-Dilithium-octaphenyltetrasilane prepared from octaphenyl-cyclo-tetrasilane and lithium in tetrahydrofuran (THF) [4], can be isolated from tetrahydrofuran/n-pentane as an adduct with six molecules of tetrahydrofuran per formula unit. The orange-red compound crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1 {a = 1159.6(3); b = 1268.4(2); c = 1367.8(3) pm; α = 92,23(2)° β = 113.79(2)° γ = 111.62(2)° at ?5 ± 3°C; Z = 1}. An x-ray structure determination (R_w = 0.046) shows the existence of a centrosymmetric molecule with an extended planar Li? Si₄? Li unit; either lithium atom is bound to silicon and to the oxygen atoms of three molecules of tetrahydrofuran. Characteristic bond lengths and angles are: Li? Si 271; Si? Si 241 and 243; Si? C 190 to 192 pm; Li? Si? Si 126°; Si? Si? Si 127°. ²⁹Si and ⁷Li n.m.r. measurements at low temperatures indicate the presence of three different adducts.     

Electrochemical oxidation of alkyl-substituted allenes in methanol

Mono-, di- and tri-alkyl-substituted allenes were potentiostatically oxidized in methanol at graphite and Pt anodes. At the former electrode, α-methoxylated ketones (due to 4F/mole electricity consumption) and esters (6F/mole) were the major products. At a Pt anode, intermediate products such as vinyl-ether derivatives (2F/mole) were characterised too. Unlike the anodic oxidation of alkenes and alkynes previously reproted in the literature, dimerisation is not a typical process in the allenes' oxidation, since of all the products obtained only a sole dimer has been observed. The mechanism for the formation of most products is discussed.     

Aged titania nanoparticles: the simultaneous control of local and long-range properties

TiO(2) nanoparticles are obtained by combining a sol-gel preparative route with hydrothermal aging steps, performed in mild conditions, of varying time lengths. Both aged and un-aged samples are thermally treated at 300 and 600 degrees C, for the same length of time. The crystal structures, the phase composition, and crystallite sizes are analyzed by powder X-ray diffraction. Raman spectra of anatase nanocrystals with average sizes of 7-10 nm are reported and the correlation between the Raman band shape of the main feature at 144 cm(-1) and the crystallite size is discussed. Nitrogen physisorption by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method is adopted to evaluate the particles surface area and mesopore size and size distribution. The role played by the hydrothermal step in affecting the physicochemical properties of the powders is discussed also with respect to the H(2)O/TiO(2) interactions as apparent from Raman spectroscopy investigations of the O-H stretching range (3000-3800 cm(-1)).     

Structure and dynamics of metallomacrocycles: recognition of zinc xylyl-bicyclam by an HIV coreceptor

As platforms for the design of metal-based therapeutic and diagnostic agents, macrocycles are rigid enough to provide strong metal binding sites and orient functional groups stereoselectively, yet flexible enough to accommodate structural changes required for induced-fit recognition of biological targets. We consider the recognition of the Zn(II) complex of the bis-tetraazamacrocycle xylyl-bicyclam, a potent anti-HIV agent, by the coreceptor CXCR4, a G-protein-coupled receptor used by HIV for membrane fusion and cell entry. NMR studies show that the macrocycles of Zn(II)(2)-xylyl-bicyclam perchlorate exist in aqueous solution as two major configurations, trans-I (nitrogen chirality R,S,R,S), and trans-III (S,S,R,R). Acetate addition induced a major structural change. X-ray crystallography shows that the acetate complex contains the unusual cis-V cyclam configuration (R,R,R,R and folded) with bidentate coordination of acetate to Zn(II) plus second-coordination-sphere double H-bond formation between diagonal NH protons on the opposite cyclam face and acetate carboxylate oxygens. Detailed 1D and 2D NMR studies show that the major configuration of Zn(II)(2)-xylyl-bicyclam acetate in aqueous solution is cis-V/trans-I. Molecular modeling shows that an analogous cis-V site can be formed when Zn(II)(2)-xylyl-bicyclam binds to CXCR4, involving the carboxylate groups of Asp262 (Zn(II) coordination) and Glu288 (double H-bonding). The second cyclam can adopt the trans-I (or trans-III) configuration with Zn(II) binding to Asp171. These interactions are consistent with the known structure-activity relationships for bicyclam anti-HIV activity and receptor mutation. Consideration of the anti-HIV activity of xylyl-bicyclam complexes of other metal ions suggests that affinity for carboxylates, configurational flexibility, and kinetic factors may all play roles in receptor recognition. For example, Pd(II) cyclam complexes interact only weakly with axial ligands and are inflexible and inactive, whereas Co(III) cyclams bind carboxylates strongly, are configurationally flexible, and yet have low activity. Our findings should aid the design of new generations of active macrocycles including highly specific chemokine receptor antagonists.     

Practical asymmetric enzymatic reduction through discovery of a dehydrogenase-compatible biphasic reaction media

[reaction: see text] An enzyme-compatible biphasic reaction media for the asymmetric biocatalytic reduction of ketones with in situ cofactor regeneration has been developed. In this biphasic reaction media, which is advantageous for reactions at higher substrate concentrations, both enzymes (alcohol dehydrogenase and FDH from Candida boidinii) remain stable. The reductions with poorly water-soluble ketones were carried out at substrate concentrations of 10-200 mM, and the optically active (S)-alcohols were formed with moderate to good conversions and with up to >99% ee.     

Herstellung und Eigenschaften von geformtem Aluminiumoxid. I. Einfluß der Fällbedingungen des Böhmithydrogels auf die Porenstruktur des geformten Aluminiumoxids

Preparation and Properties of Formed Aluminium Oxide. I. Influence of the Precipitation Conditions of the Boehmite Hydrogel on the Pore Structure of Formed Aluminium Oxide A report is given on the influence of the precipitation conditions of boehmite (pH value, temperature, concentration and residence time in the precipitation suspension) on the cavity structure of aluminium oxide spheres, made by coagulation of boehmite hydrosol in ammonia liquor and subsequent thermal treatment at 110 and 600°C. The boehmite hydrogel was obtained at continuous precipitation conditions by neutralisation of sodium aluminate solution with nitric acid. It is shown that the difference in the pore structure of the formed aluminium oxide obtained by varying the precipitation conditions were caused by the special morphological features of the boehmite crystallization in the precipitation process.