Studies on the titanium-catalyzed cyclopropanation of nitriles

The Ti-mediated reaction of Grignard reagents with nitriles was investigated with sub-stoichiometric amounts of titanium isopropoxide. Cyanoesters were converted to spirocyclopropanelactams in good yields using as low as 0.05 eq of Ti(O(i)Pr)4. Under similar conditions, cyanocarbonates led to spirocyclopropane oxazolidinones and/or aminocyclopropylcarbinols. A very short synthesis of the naturally occurring aminocyclopropanecarboxylic acid illustrates the usefulness of this methodology.     

Atomic force microscopy imaging of hair: correlations between surface potential and wetting at the nanometer scale

We report investigations of hair surface potential under wetting at the nanometric scale by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Surface potential imaging was used to characterize the electrostatic properties of the hair samples. We found that the surface potential noticeably increases along the edges of the cuticles. These results are correlated with wetting behavior of different liquids performed using AFM in noncontact mode.     

Synthesis of branched oxime-linked peptide mimetics of the MUC1 containing a universal T-helper epitope

Our goal was to develop mimics of MUC1, highly immunogenic to induce an efficient immune response against the tumor-associated form of MUC1, and sufficiently different from the natural antigen to bypass the tolerance barrier in humans. With the aim of obtaining a well-defined peptide construct as a means of evoking the precise immune responses required in immunotherapy, we synthesized artificial mimics of the MUC1 protein composed of two MUC1 repeat units of inverse orientation and a universal T-helper epitope. To synthesize these heteromeric peptide constructs, we followed a convergent approach using chemoselective ligation based on oxime chemistry. A stem peptide was first synthesized bearing two orthogonally masked aldehydes. After successive deprotection, two oxime bonds can be specifically generated. The proposed strategy proved to be concise and robust, and allowed the synthesis of the tri-branched protein in a very satisfactory yield. The different constructs were tested for their ability to generate antibodies able to recognize the MUC1 protein.     

Structural and electrochemical studies of novel bis(mu-methoxo)diiron complexes: observation of Fe(III)Fe(IV) and Fe(IV)Fe(IV) states resonating with phenoxyl radicals

Novel diiron complexes with an Fe2(mu-OMe)2 core were studied as models of the active site of nonheme iron-containing enzymes. X-ray crystal structures of the complexes showed the existence of two types of ligand folding-parallel and twisted-both of which have four virtually equivalent phenolato groups sticking out from the Fe2O2 rhombic plane. Cyclic voltammetry measurements revealed two or more distinct redox waves in a region of relatively high potential, in addition to known Fe(II)/Fe(III) redox waves in a region of lower potential. These new peaks were assigned to the high-valence state of iron atoms, that is, Fe(III)Fe(IV) and Fe(IV)Fe(IV), resonating with the phenoxyl radical(s). The split width of the redox waves ranged from 0.14 to 0.20 eV, which may be a measure of the electronic interaction of the phenolate groups through the Fe2(mu-OMe)2 core.     

From calcium interaction to calcium electrochemical detection by [(C5H5)Fe(C5H4COCH=CHC6H4NEt2)] and its two novel structurally characterized derivatives

[(C(5)H(5))Fe(C(5)H(4)COCH=CHC(6)H(4)NEt(2))] (1) has been electrochemically evaluated toward different cations in solution. Calcium sensing by this compound and its two new derivatives [(C(5)H(5))Fe(C(5)H(4)CO(CH=CH)(2)C(6)H(4)NMe(2))] (2) and [(C(5)H(5))Fe(C(5)H(4)CH=CHCOCH=CHC(6)H(4)NEt(2))] (3) that exhibit a conjugated link between the ferrocene unit and the nitrogen atom has been thoroughly examined. Compounds 2 and 3 have been structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The three related protonated species [1H][BF(4)] (4), [2H][BF(4)] (5), and [3H][BF(4)] (6) have been isolated in a good yield. NMR experiments clearly established that calcium interaction occurs in the vicinity of the carbonyl group, and mass spectrometry studies confirmed that this interaction, which involves several ligand-Ca(2+) adducts, is complex. A combination of electrochemical and NMR experiments highlighted an original salt influence on the electrochemical calcium sensing result.     

Easy preparation of the tris(2-fluoro-6-pyridylmethyl)amine ligand and instantaneous reaction of the corresponding dichloroferrous complex with molecular dioxygen: new access to dinuclear species

The tris(2-fluoro-6-pyridylmethyl)amine ligand, F3TPA, can easily be prepared by reaction of 2-fluoro-6-bromomethylpyridine with NH4Cl in the presence of NaOH. Complexation to FeCl2 affords the high-spin F3TPAFe(II)Cl2 complex, the X-ray structure of which is reported. The three fluorine substituents provide enough steric hindrance to force the tripod to coordinate in the tridentate mode, affording a trigonal bipyramidal iron center. This complex is thermally stable, and it reacts instantaneously with molecular dioxygen to afford the unsymmetrical micro-oxo dimer F3TPAFe(III)ClOFe(III)Cl3 as the major product, together with small amounts of the mixed salt [F3TPAFe(II)Cl]2, [Fe(III)2OCl6]. These two complexes have been isolated and characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis. A mechanism by which they are obtained is suggested and seems to parallel the well-known process of autoxidation of ferrous porphyrins.     

Synthesis, characterization and electrochemical studies of the heterometallic diclusters [{Fe2(μ-CO)(CO)6(μ-PPh2)Au}2(diphosphine)] (diphosphine=dppm, dppip, dppe, dppp)

Treatment of [(ClAu)₂(diphosphine)] {diphosphine=bis(diphenylphosphino)methane (dppm), bis(diphenylphosphino)isopropane (dppip), 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe), 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane (dppp)} with two equivalents of the anion [Fe₂(μ-CO)(CO)₆(μ-PPh₂)]⁻ in the presence of TlBF₄ gives the new heterometallic diclusters [{Fe₂(μ-CO)(CO)₆(μ-PPh₂)Au}₂(diphosphine)] that have been isolated and characterized. Their ³¹P-NMR spectra show different patterns as a function of the diphosphine ligand. The electrochemical behavior of these compounds has been investigated and compared with that of the mono- [Fe₂(μ-CO)(CO)₆(μ-PPh₂)(μ-AuPPh₃)] and tricluster [{Fe₂(μ-CO)(CO)₆(μ-PPh₂)Au}₃(triphos)] derivatives.     

Implementation of an integrated glucose POCT system

In response to a change of the Belgian National Directives whereby hospital laboratories became responsible for all point-of-care testing (POCT) performed within hospital walls a standardized and automated POC glucose-testing system was implemented in our hospital. The system consists of 50 AccuCheck Inform instruments (Roche Diagnostics, Vilvoorde, Belgium), 50 docking stations, a DataCare Server, and connections to the medical laboratory information system (MOLIS, Sysmex, Barchon, Belgium) and to the hospital information system. Implementation involved many parties and extensive preparation and communication. Key issues were bar-coded patient and user identification, training, and responsibilities. One year after the hospital wide implementation of this system the quality of POC glucose testing has significantly increased, thereby improving patient safety. This study describes a stepwise change over involving the medical laboratory and with a focus on hands-on quality.Presented at the ninth conference on Quality in the Spotlight, 18–19 March 2004, Antwerp, Belgium.     

A new approach to A,B-difunctionalisation of cyclodextrins using bulky 1,3-bis[bis(aryl)chloromethyl]benzenes as capping reagents

1,3-Bis[bis(4-tert-butylphenyl)chloromethyl]benzene and 1,3-bis[bis(4-anisyl)chloromethyl]benzene were employed as regioselective capping reagents for the preparation of C-6A,C-6B-bridged, permethylated alpha- and beta-CD derivatives; isolated yields up to 55% of proximally capped, methylated CDs were obtained, thus opening the way to the straightforward preparation of a wide range of A,B-functionalised CDs. As revealed by a single crystal X-ray diffraction study, the benzene-1,3-bis[bis(4-tert-butylphenyl)methyl] spacer is perfectly suited for A,B-capping of beta-cyclodextrin.