Multiple pathways in the synthesis of new annelated analogues of 6-benzyl-1-(ethoxymethyl)-5-isopropyluracil (emivirine)

Condensation of 3-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)-2-oxocyclopentanecarboxamide (11) with oxalyl chloride and condensation of ethyl 2-benzylamino-5-methyl-3-phenylcyclopent-1-enecarboxylate (17a) with trimethylsilyl isothiocyanate gave 7-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)-6,7-dihydro-5H-cyclopenta[e][1,3]oxazine-2,4-dione (12) and 1-benzyl-5-methyl-7-phenyl-2-thioxo-1,2,3,5,6,7- hexahydrocyclopentapyrimidin-4-one (18a), respectively. Acid catalyzed ring-closure of 6-(4-methyl-1-phenylpent-3-enyl)-2-thioxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrimidin-4-one (26) and radical mediated ring-closure of 1,3-bis(benzyloxymethyl)-5-bromo-6-(1-phenylbut-3-enyl)-1H-pyrimidine-2,4- dione (32a) gave 5,5-dimethyl-8-phenyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1H-quinazoline-2,4- dione (28) and 1,3-bis(benzyloxymethyl)-5-methyl-7-phenyl-1,5,6,7- tetrahydrocyclopentapyrimidine-2,4-dione (33), respectively. Annelated emivirine analogues 7-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)-1- ethoxymethyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydrocyclopentapyrimidine-2,4-dione (4), 1-ethoxymethyl-5,5-dimethyl-8-phenyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1H-quinazoline- 2,4-dione (5) and 1-ethoxymethyl-5-methyl-7-phenyl-1,5,6,7- tetrahydrocyclopentapyrimidine-2,4-dione (6) were obtained in few steps from 12, 28 and 18a/33, respectively. These new analogues can be considered as conformationally locaTed analogues of emivirine. However, the compounds 4 6 showed lower activities against HIV-1 than emivirine and it is concluded that the locked conformation disfavours activity against HIV-1.     

Polarized emission of individual self-assembled oligo(p-phenylenevinylene)-based nanofibers on a solid support

We have prepared 5 nm diameter, micrometer long tetra(p-phenylenevinylene) (OPV)-based nanofibers on a graphite surface. The fluorescence emission of an individual fiber shows a profound polarization over its entire length that directly corresponds to its orientation on the substrate. Quantitative analysis of the fluorescence polarization, including the depolarizing effect of the underlying graphite, evidences the high degree of organization within chiral fibers with the OPV molecules perpendicular to the fiber axis. The control of the internal order within self-assembled fibers, and the ability to measure it, is a crucial step to obtain uniform organic fibers that can be applied in nanosized electronics at room temperature.     

Probing intramolecular Förster resonance energy transfer in a naphthaleneimide-peryleneimide-terrylenediimide-based dendrimer by ensemble and single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy

We report on the ensemble and single-molecule (SM) dynamics of F?rster resonance energy transfer (FRET) in a multichromophoric rigid polyphenylenic dendrimer (triad) with spectrally different rylene chromophores featuring distinct absorption and emission spectra which cover the whole visible spectral range: a terrylenediimide (TDI) core, four perylenemonoimides (PMIs) attached at the scaffold, and eight naphthalenemonoimides (NMIs) at the rim. For FRET from PMI to TDI taking place with an efficiency of 99.5%, single triad molecules optically excited at 490 nm show fluorescence exclusively from the TDI side in the beginning of their emission. On 360-nm excitation, NMI chromophores transfer their excitation energy either directly or in a stepwise fashion to the core TDI, the latter case involving scaffold-substituted PMIs as intermediate acceptors. Indeed, SM experiments on 360-nm excitation evidence highly efficient FRET from NMI chromophores to the TDI core since individual triad molecules show fluorescence exclusively either from TDI or from an intermediate (oxidized) species but never from PMI. Because PMI and TDI are chromophores with high fluorescence quantum yields and high resistance to photobleaching compared to NMI, 360-nm excitation of a single triad molecule leads to bleaching of NMI chromophores with no chance for PMI to be observed. The spatial positioning and the spectral properties of the chosen rylene chromophores make this multichromophoric system an efficient light collector, able to capture light over the whole visible spectral range and to transfer it finally to the core TDI, the latter releasing it as red fluorescence.     

3H-benzophosphepine complexes: versatile phosphinidene precursors

The synthesis of a variety of benzophosphepine complexes [R = Ph, t-Bu, Me; ML(n )()= W(CO)(5), Mo(CO)(5), Cr(CO)(5), Mn(CO)(2)Cp] by two successive hydrophosphinations of 1,2-diethynylbenzene is discussed in detail. The first hydrophosphination step proceeds at ambient temperature without additional promoters, and subsequent addition of base allows full conversion to benzophosphepines. Novel benzeno-1,4-diphosphinanes were isolated as side products. The benzophosphepine complexes themselves serve as convenient phosphinidene precursors at elevated, substituent-dependent temperatures (>55 degrees C). Kinetic and computational analyses support the proposal that the phosphepine-phosphanorcaradiene isomerization is the rate-determining step. In the absence of substrate, addition of the transient phosphinidene to another benzophosphepine molecule is observed, and addition to 1,2-diethynylbenzene furnishes a delicate bidentate diphosphirene complex.     

Intramolecular directional förster resonance energy transfer at the single-molecule level in a dendritic system

We report on the directional F?rster resonance energy transfer (FRET) process taking place in single molecules of a first (T1P4) and a second (T2P8) generation of a perylenemonoimide (P)-terrylenediimide (T)-based dendrimer in which the chromophores are separated by rigid polyphenylene arms. At low excitation powers, single-molecule detection and spectroscopy of T1P4 and T2P8 dendrimers point to a highly efficient directional FRET from P donors to the central T acceptor, optical excitation at 488 nm resulting in exclusively acceptor emission in the beginning of the detected fluorescence intensity. Donor emission is seen only upon the bleaching of the acceptor. High-resolution time-resolved single-molecule fluorescence data measured with a microchannel plate photomultiplier reveal, for T2P8, a broad range of FRET rates as a result of a broad range of distances and orientations experienced by the donor-acceptor dendrimers when immobilized in a polymer matrix. Single-molecule data from T2P8 on 488 nm excitation are indicative for the presence, after terrylenediimide bleaching, of a P-P excited dimer characterized by a broad emission spectrum peaking around 600 nm and by fluctuating fluorescence decay times. At high excitation powers, single T1P4 and T2P8 molecules display simultaneous emission from both donor and acceptor chromophores. The effect, called "exciton blockade", occurs due to the presence of multiple excitations in a single molecule.     

Thermodynamic Evaluation of Solid-State Reactions in which a Volatile Product is Formed

The use of equilibrium thermodynamics in describing interfacial reactions between non-ionic inorganic solids is demonstrated using examples of high-temperature interactions in the Ti–Si–N and Mo–Si–N systems. In the case of a diffusion-controlled process, solid-state reactions can be interpreted with chemical potential (activity) diagrams. The role of volatile reaction products formed during interaction in developing the diffusion zone morphology is analysed. The interfacial phenomena in systems based on dense Si₃N₄ and non-nitride forming metals can be explained by assuming a nitrogen pressure build-up at the contact surface. This pressure determines the chemical potential of Si at the interface and, hence, the reaction products in the diffusion zone.     

Analysis of illicit amphetamine seizures by capillary zone electrophoresis

Capillary zone electrophoresis was applied for the determination of amphetamine and related substances in seized drugs. A buffer made of 0.1 M phosphoric acid adjusted to pH 3.0 with triethanolamine was selected. With this background electrolyte, triethanolamine is adsorbed to the capillary wall and the electroosmotic flow is reversed. This gives rise to peaks with good symmetry, high efficiency and reproducible migration times. The separation of the different analytes was performed in a fused-silica capillary thermostatted at 25 degrees C and the applied voltage was 25 kV. Under these experimental conditions, amphetamine, methamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), 3,4-methylenedioxyethamphetamine, N-methyl-1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-butamine and ephedrine were resolved within 8 min and without interference from adulterants usually found in illicit powders. Their identification by the migration time was confirmed by their UV spectra recorded with a diode array UV detector (190-350 nm). The selected method was then applied to identify these substances in illicit tablets known as "Ecstasy" and the MDMA determined in these samples according to a laboratory validation procedure.     

Hydration of the amylopectin branch point. Evidence of restricted conformational diversity of the alpha-(1-->6) linkage

The hydration behavior of a model compound for the amylopectin branch point, methyl 6'-alpha-maltosyl-alpha-maltotrioside, was investigated by combining molecular dynamics simulations in explicit water, 500 MHz NMR spectroscopy, including pulsed field gradient diffusion measurements, and exploratory multivariate data analysis. In comparison with results on a tetrasaccharide analogue, the study reveals that the conformational diversity of the three-bond alpha-(1-->6) linkage becomes quite limited in aqueous solution upon the addition of a fifth glucose residue that elongates the alpha-(1-->6) branch. This investigation reveals two plausible starch branch point structures, one that permits the formation of double helices and one that is adapted for interconnection of double helices. The apparent rigidity of the former is explained by the presence of water pockets/bridges in the vicinity of the branch point that lock the pentasaccharide structure into one conformational family that is able to accommodate the creation of the double-helical amylopectin structure.     

Thermodynamic Evaluation of Solid-State Reactions in which a Volatile Product is Formed

Summary. The use of equilibrium thermodynamics in describing interfacial reactions between non-ionic inorganic solids is demonstrated using examples of high-temperature interactions in the Ti–Si–N and Mo–Si–N systems. In the case of a diffusion-controlled process, solid-state reactions can be interpreted with chemical potential (activity) diagrams. The role of volatile reaction products formed during interaction in developing the diffusion zone morphology is analysed. The interfacial phenomena in systems based on dense Si₃N₄ and non-nitride forming metals can be explained by assuming a nitrogen pressure build-up at the contact surface. This pressure determines the chemical potential of Si at the interface and, hence, the reaction products in the diffusion zone.     

Photoinduced electron transfer in a rigid first generation triphenylamine core dendrimer substituted with a peryleneimide acceptor

The electron-transfer process of a first generation dendrimer with a triphenylamine core substituted with one peryleneimide chromophore at the rim (N1P1) was investigated by steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopic techniques in two different solvents of medium and low polarity. Single photon counting experiments showed a fast charge separation and a thermally activated back reaction, which is uncommon for a polyaryl bridge or long-distance through-space electron transfer. The four exponential fluorescence decay can be traced to the presence of two subsets of molecules, which are constitutional isomers of N1P1. Although formally N1P1 resembles a donor-bridge-acceptor compound, detailed analysis of the data shows that the electron transfer occurs by a through-space mechanism. This amine core dendrimer has peculiar and unique characteristics resulting in the observation of efficient back transfer and delayed peryleneimide fluorescence in diethyl ether at 293 K and very long-lived charge recombination luminescence at 77 K.