Thermosensitive properties of a novel poly(methyl 2-acetamidoacrylate-co-methyl acrylate)

Copolymerizations of methyl 2-acetamidoacrylate (MAA) with methyl acrylate (MA) were carried out at 60 °C in chloroform. MAA-rich copolymers are soluble in water and MAA-poor copolymers insoluble. Among water-soluble copolymers obtained, only one (HP-77) which contains 77% of MAA units was thermosensitive. Thermal properties of HP-77 were investigated in the presence or absence of inorganic salts. The cloud point of aqueous HP-77 solution depended on polymer concentration: The cloud point decreased exponentially with an increasing concentration of the polymer. The cloud point of HP-77 was also affected significantly by the type and concentration of salts. The effectiveness of salts to reduce the cloud point is NaBr≈KBr<NaCl≈KCl<Na₂SO₄≈K₂SO₄. The salting-out coefficients were evaluated as 2.45 l/mol for sodium chloride and 14.56 l/mol for sodium sulfate, respectively, from the relationship (Setschenow's equation) between logarithm of the solubility of HP-77 and salt concentration. The salting-out coefficient of sodium sulfate is larger than that of sodium chloride.     

Rotational states of the ammonium ion in cubic lattice

The ammonium ion in the alkali halide lattice has the hindered rotational state. The rotational potential is expressed as crystal field, which depends upon only one rotational motion. The tetrahedral ion receives an octahedral field in this system. Four fundamental types of orientation appear due to the symmetry of ion and that of field. As the barrier height increases, the rotational levels approach to the librational levels with tunnel splitting. In particular, the tunneling part in the ground librational level is calculated using both free rotor bases and orientationally localized states. The level structure with the degeneracy is elucidated, which is peculiar in each type of orientation. Thermal properties are shown as model calculations. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Synthesis, characterization, and chiral behavior of S-bridged Co(III)Pt(II)Co(III) trinuclear complexes composed of bis(thiolato)-type octahedral units cis(S)-[Co(aet)(2)(en)](+) and/or trans(N)-[Co(D-pen- N,O,S)(2)](-) (aet = 2-aminoethanethiolate, D-pen = D-penicillaminate)

A series of linear-type Co(III)Pt(II)Co(III) trinuclear complexes composed of C(2)-cis(S)-[Co(aet)(2)(en)](+) (aet = 2-aminoethanethiolate) and/or Lambda(D)-trans(N)-[Co(D-pen-N,O,S)(2)](-) (D-pen = D-penicillaminate) were newly prepared, and their chiral behavior, which is markedly different from that of the corresponding Co(III)Pd(II)Co(III) complexes, is reported. The 1:1 reaction of an S-bridged Co(III)Ni(II)Co(III) trinuclear complex, [Ni[Co(aet)(2)(en)](2)]Cl(4), with K(2)[PtCl(4)] in water gave an S-bridged Co(III)Pt(II)Co(III) trinuclear complex, [Pt[Co(aet)(2)(en)](2)]Cl(4) ([1]Cl(4)), while the corresponding 1:2 reaction produced an S-bridged Co(III)Pt(II) dinuclear complex, [PtCl(2)[Co(aet)(2)(en)]]Cl ([2]Cl). Complex [1](4+) formed both racemic (DeltaDelta/LambdaLambda) and meso (DeltaLambda) forms, which were separated and optically resolved by cation-exchange column chromatography. An optically active S-bridged Co(III)Pt(II)Co(III) trinuclear complex having the pseudo LambdaLambda configuration, Lambda(D)Lambda(D)-[Pt[Co(D-pen-N,O,S)(2)](2)](0) (Lambda(D)Lambda(D)-[3]), was also prepared by reacting Lambda(D)-trans(N)-K[Co(D-pen-N,O,S)(2)] with K(2)[PtCl(4)] in a ratio of 2:1 in water. Treatment of the racemic Delta/Lambda-[2]Cl with Lambda(D)-trans(N)-K[Co(D-pen-N,O,S)(2)] in a ratio of 1:1 in water led to the formation of LambdaLambda(D)- and DeltaLambda(D)-[Pt[Co(aet)(2)(en)][Co(D-pen-N,O,S)(2)]](2+) (LambdaLambda(D)- and DeltaLambda(D)-[4](2+)) and DeltaDelta(D)-[Pt[Co(aet)(2)(en)][Co(D-pen-N,S)(2)(H(2)O)(2)]](2+) (DeltaDelta(D)-[4'](2+)), besides trace amounts of Lambda(D)Lambda(D)-[3] and DeltaDelta- and DeltaLambda-[1](4+). These Co(III)Pt(II)Co(III) complexes were characterized on the basis of electronic absorption, CD, and NMR spectra, along with single-crystal X-ray analyses for DeltaDelta/LambdaLambda-[1]Cl(4), DeltaLambda-[1]Cl(4), and DeltaLambda(D)-[4]Cl(2). Crystal data: DeltaDelta/LambdaLambda-[1]Cl(4).6H(2)O, monoclinic, space group C2/c with a = 14.983(3) A, b = 19.857(4) A, c = 12.949(3) A, beta = 113.51(2) degrees, V = 3532(1) A(3), Z = 4; DeltaLambda-[1]Cl(4).3H(2)O, orthorhombic, space group Pbca with a = 14.872(3) A, b = 14.533(3) A, c = 14.347(2) A, V = 3100(1) A(3), Z = 4; DeltaLambda(D)-[4]Cl(2).6H(2)O, monoclinic, space group P2(1) with a = 7.3836(2) A, b = 20.214(1) A, c = 10.622(2) A, beta = 91.45(1) degrees V = 1682.0(4) A(3), Z = 2.     

Enhancement of the T140-based pharmacophores leads to the development of more potent and bio-stable CXCR4 antagonists

A CXCR4 antagonistic peptide, T140, and its bio-stable analogs, such as Ac-TE14011, were previously developed. These peptides inhibit the entry of T cell line-tropic strains of HIV-1 (X4-HIV-1) into T cells. Herein, a series of TE14011 analogs having modifications in the N-terminal region were synthesized to develop effective compounds with increased biostability. Among these analogs, 4F-benzoyl-TE14011 (TF14013) showed the strongest anti-HIV activity derived from CXCR4-antagonism, suggesting that a 4-fluorobenzoyl moiety at the N-terminus of T140 analogs constitutes a novel T140-based pharmacophore for CXCR4 antagonists. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies on TE14011 analogs with N(alpha)-acylation by several benzoic acid derivatives have disclosed a significant relationship between the anti-HIV activity and the Hammett constant (sigma) of substituted benzoic acids. TF14013 was found to be stable in mouse serum, but not completely stable in rat liver homogenate due to deletion of the C-terminal Arg14-NH2 from the parent peptide. This biodegradation was completely suppressed by N-alkyl-amidation at the C-terminus. Taken together, the enhancement of the T140-based pharmacophores led to development of a novel CXCR4 antagonist, 4F-benzoyl-TE14011-Me (TF14013-Me), which has very high anti-HIV activity and increased biostability.     

Trialkylsilyl group-directed regioselective transformations of 2-(alk-1-yn-1-yl)-2-(trialkylsilyl)-1,3-dithianes to alkynylcyclopropanes and enynes

[reaction: see text] The Cp(2)Ti[P(OEt)(3)](2)-promoted reaction of 2-(alk-1-yn-1-yl)-2-(trialkylsilyl)-1,3-dithianes with 1-alkenes regioselectively produced [(trialkylsilyl)ethynyl]cyclopropanes with a formal allylic rearrangement. The reaction of the thioacetals with ketones proceeded with the same regioselectivity to produce 1-(trialkylsilyl)alk-3-en-1-ynes predominantly. It is suggested that these reactions proceed via the formation of titanium alpha-(silylethynyl)carbene complexes Cp(2)Ti=C(R)CCSi in preference to their regioisomers, alpha-silylalkynylcarbene complexes Cp(2)Ti=C(Si)CCR.     

Self-assembled metal colloid films: two approaches for preparing new SERS active substrates

In this paper, we propose two new approaches for preparing active substrates for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). In the first approach (method 1), one transfers AgI nanoparticles capped by negatively charged mercaptoacetic acid from a AgI colloid solution onto a quartz slide and then deoxidizes AgI to Ag nanoparticles on the substrate. The second approach (method 2) deoxidizes AgI to Ag nanoparticles in a colloid solution and then transfers the Ag nanoparticles capped by negatively charged mercaptoacetic acid onto a quartz slide. By transfer of the AgI/Ag nanoparticles from the colloid solutions to the solid substrates, the problem of instability of the colloid solutions can largely be overcome. The films thus prepared by both approaches retain the merits of metal colloid solutions while they discharge their shortcomings. Accordingly, the obtained Ag particle films are very suitable as SERS active substrates. SERS active substrates with different coverages can be formed in a layer-by-layer electrostatic assembly by exposing positively charged surfaces to the colloid solutions containing oppositely charged AgI/Ag nanoparticles. The SERS active substrates fabricated by the two novel methods have been characterized by means of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy. The results of AFM and UV-vis spectroscopy show that the Ag nanoparticles grow with the increase in the number of coverage and that most of them remain isolated even at high coverages. Consequently, the surface optical properties are dominated by the absorption due to the isolated Ag nanoparticles. The relationship between SERS intensity and surface morphology of the new active substrates has been investigated for Rhodamine 6G (R6G) adsorbed on them. It has been found that the SERS enhancement depends on the size and aggregation of the Ag particles on the substrates. Especially, we can obtain a stronger SERS signal from the substrate prepared by method 1, implying that for the metal nanoparticles capped with stabilizer molecules such as mercaptoacetic acid, the in situ deoxidization in the film is of great use in preparing SERS active substrates. Furthermore, we have found that the addition of Cl- into the AgI colloid solution changes the surface morphology of the SERS active substrates and favors stronger SERS enhancement.     

Preparation of Transparent, Partially-Crystallized BaTiO3 Monolithic Xerogels by Sol-Gel Processing

Transparent, partially-crystallized nanostructured barium titanate (BaTiO3) monolithic xerogels (dried at 90°C) have been successfully synthesized via hydrolysis of Ba, Ti alkoxide precursor solutions in a concentration range of 1.0 mol/l with addition of water with a molar ratio of H2O/Ba 6.3. Transparent monolithic xerogels obtained from a precursor solution of 1.0 mol/l remained transparent even after firing at 500°C in oxygen, although the degree of their transparency was considerably decreased. Firing at temperatures above 500°C yielded translucent ceramics of BaTiO3, and ultimately, firing above 600°C resulted in normal opaque ceramic bodies. Those obtained from a more concentrated precursor solution of 1.2 mol/l were, on the other hand, still transparent after firing at 600°C in oxygen, and turned opaque at 700°C. The results demonstrate that the materials retained their transparency even after pyrolysis of organic compounds involving exothermic oxidation at temperatures in the range of 200 to 400°C. The densification behavior of transparent BaTiO3 monolithic xerogels obtained was found to be excellent; for example, those derived from a 1.0 mol/l precursor solution could be sintered to form monolithic BaTiO3 ceramics with a relative sintered density of about 94% and an average grain size of 1 m by firing at 1100°C for 2 h in oxygen.     

Synthesis of potent CXCR4 inhibitors possessing low cytotoxicity and improved biostability based on T140 derivatives

A peptidic CXCR4 antagonist T140 efficiently blocks the entry of T cell line-tropic strains of HIV-1 (X4-HIV-1) into target cells. In this study, a series of T140 derivatives, replacing the basic amino acid residues with Glu (D-Glu) and/or L-citrulline (Cit), were synthesized in order to reduce non-specific binding and cytotoxicity. Among them, TE14011 ([Cit6, D-Glu8]-T140 with the C-terminal amide) exhibited strong anti-HIV activity and low cytotoxicity. TE14011 was found to be stable in mouse serum, but unstable in rat liver homogenate due to the deletion of the N-terminal Arg1-Arg2-L-3-(2-naphthyl)alanine (Nal)3 residues from the parent peptide. N-Terminal acetylation of TE14011 led to the development of a novel lead compound, Ac-TE 14011, which possesses a high selectivity index as well as increased stability in serum and liver homogenate.     

The Source of “Fairy Rings”: 2‐Azahypoxanthine and its Metabolite Found in a Novel Purine Metabolic Pathway in Plants

Rings or arcs of fungus‐stimulated plant growth occur worldwide; these are commonly referred to as “fairy rings”. In 2010, we discovered 2‐azahypoxanthine (AHX), a compound responsible for the fairy‐ring phenomenon caused by fungus; AHX stimulated the growth of all the plants tested. Herein, we reveal the isolation and structure determination of a common metabolite of AHX in plants, 2‐aza‐8‐oxohypoxanthine (AOH). AHX is chemically synthesized from 5‐aminoimidazole‐4‐carboxamide (AICA), and AHX can be converted into AOH by xanthine oxidase. AICA is one of the members of the purine metabolic pathway in animals, plants, and microorganisms. However, further metabolism of AICA remains elusive. Based on these results and facts, we hypothesized that plants themselves produce AHX and AOH through a pathway similar to the chemical synthesis. Herein, we demonstrate the existence of endogenous AHX and AOH and a novel purine pathway to produce them in plants.     

Rhodium‐Catalyzed Intramolecular Hydroarylation of 1‐Halo‐1‐alkynes: Regioselective Synthesis of Semihydrogenated Aromatic Heterocycles

The regioselective intramolecular hydroarylation of (3‐halo‐2‐propynyl)anilines, (3‐halo‐2‐propynyl) aryl ethers, or (4‐halo‐3‐butynyl) aryl ethers was efficiently catalyzed by Rh₂(OCOCF₃)₄ to give semihydrogenated aromatic heterocycles, such as 4‐halo‐1,2‐dihydroquinolines, 4‐halo‐3‐chromenes, or 4‐(halomethylene)chromans, in good to excellent yields. Some synthetic applications taking advantage of the halo‐substituents of the products are also illustrated.