Synthesis and characterization of diametrically substituted tetra-O-n-butylcalix[4]arene ligands and their chelated complexes of titanium,molybdenum, and palladium

The ligation properties of three new upper-rim-substituted calix[4]arene ligands, 5,17-bis(hydroxymethyl)-tetra-n-butoxycalix[4]arene ((HOCH2)2-nBu4Clx, 7), 5,17-bis((diphenylphosphinito)methoxy)-tetra-n-butoxycalix[4]arene ((PPh2OCH2)2-nBu4Clx, 8), and 5,17-bis((diphenylphosphino)methyl)-tetra-n-butoxycalix[4]arene ((PPh2CH2)2-nBu4Clx, 10) are reported herein. The newly prepared compounds differ from previously reported diametrically substituted calix[4]arene derivatives in that the lower-rim substituent was n-butyl. The presence of this lower-rim substituent did not reduce the inherent crystallinity of these complexes as purification of all materials occurred via simple crystallizations. The key precursor for the syntheses of 8 and 10 was 7, acquisition of which occurred in six steps starting from tetra-tert-butylcalix[4]arene, 1. Calix[4]arene derivatives include, tetra-n-butoxycalix[4]arene (nBu4Clx, 3), 5,11,17,23-tetrabromo-tetra-n-butoxycalix[4]arene (Br4-nBu4Clx, 4), 5,17-dibromo-tetra-n-butoxycalix[4]arene (Br2-nBu4Clx, 5), 5,17-bis(formyl)-tetra-n-butoxycalix[4]arene ((CHO)2-nBu4Clx, 6), and 5,17-bis(chloromethyl)-tetra-n-butoxycalix[4]arene ((ClCH2)2-nBu4Clx, 9), all of which were synthesized using modifications of existing procedures. Characterization of all compounds occurred, when possible, using 1H, 13C, and 31P NMR, elemental analyses, FAB-MS, ESI-MS, FT-IR, and X-ray crystallography. The solid-state structures of all calix[4]arene intermediates and ligands showed that the annulus adopted the pinched-cone conformation in which the average C(5)...C(17) intraannular separation was 4.5 +/- 0.4 A. Reaction of 7 with CpTiMe3 yielded the cis-chelate, CpTi(Me)[(OCH2)2-nBu4Clx] (11), quantitatively. Data obtained using ESI-MS (positive-ion mode) confirmed the monomer formulation showed above, and 1H NMR spectra provided sufficient information to deduce the nature of the Ti coordination sphere. Reaction of 8 with cis-Cl2Pd(NCPh)2 in refluxing benzene afforded cis-Cl2Pd[(PPh2OCH2)2-nBu4Clx] (12) in good yields. The monomeric identity of this compound was verified by both X-ray crystallography and positive-ion ESI-MS. The cis-bidentate calix[4]arene ligand did not undergo any noticeable contortion upon chelation of the PdCl2 fragment. Acid-promoted decomposition of 12 occurred in the presence of adventitious HCl and gaseous HCl, and the products of this decomposition were 9 and [mu2-ClPd(PPh2OH)(PPh2O)]2. In addition, chelates of 8 that contained Mo(CO)3L (L = NCMe (14a), NCEt (14b), and CO (14c)) showed that the mode of coordination was relatively insensitive to the identity of the metal. X-ray crystallography afforded views of the solid-state structures of 14b,c and, like 12, showed that the Mo(CO)3L fragment resided above the pinched-cone of the calix[4]arene. 1H NMR revealed that C-H/pi interactions existed between L (14a,b) and a phenyl ring of the coordinated phosphinite. Finally, the bis(diphenylphosphine)calix[4]arene ligand (10) readily coordinated the Mo(CO)3L species, but the reaction did not go to completion, as evidenced by 1H NMR, even after a 5 day reaction time. Data suggest that the product is similar to that observed for 12 and 14, but the incomplete reaction complicated attempts to obtain pure material and prohibited definitive assignment of the coordination array.     

Nitrophenol Derivatives Oxidized by Cerium(IV) Ammonium Nitrate (CAN) and Their Cytotoxicity

Oxidation of a series of phenols with cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate (CAN) in acetonitrile under mild conditions yields the mixture of corresponding nitrophenols. In the cases of methylphenols and hydroxy ‐carboxylic acids, the steric effect may reduce the nitration reaction. Compounds 3a and 4b showed selective activities to Hep 3B and Hep G2 cancer cell lines, respectively. Compound 2c showed selective activities to Hep G2 and MDA‐MB‐231 cancer cell lines. Furthermore, compound 10b showed selective activities to Hep G2, Hep 3B, MCF‐7 and MDA‐MB‐231 cancer cell lines.     

Synthesis and properties of the double perovskites La2NiVO6, La2CoVO6, and La2CoTiO6

The double perovskites La₂CoVO₆, La₂CoTiO₆, and La₂NiVO₆, are described. Rietveld fitting of neutron and powder X-ray diffraction data show La₂NiVO₆ and La₂CoVO₆ to have a disordered arrangement of B-cations whereas La₂CoTiO₆ shows ordering of the B-cations (with ∼5% Co/Ti inversion). Curie-Weiss fits to the linear region of the 1/χ plots reveal Weiss temperatures of −107, −34.8, and 16.3 K for La₂CoVO₆, La₂CoTiO₆, and La₂NiVO₆, respectively, and magnetic transitions are observed. La₂CoTiO₆ prepared by our method differs from material prepared by lower-temperature routes. A simple antiferromagnetic spin model is consistent with the data for La₂CoTiO₆. These compounds are semiconductors with bandgaps of 0.41 (La₂CoVO₆), 1.02 (La₂CoTiO₆) and 0.45 eV (La₂NiVO₆).     

(C2H10N2)[BPO4F2] — Structural Relations between [BPO4F2]2— and [Si2O6]4—

(C₂H₁₀N₂)[BPO₄F₂] — Strukturbeziehungen zwischen [BPO₄F₂]^2— und [Si₂O₆]^4— Colourless crystals of (C₂H₁₀N₂)[BPO₄F₂] were prepared from mixture of ethylendiamine, H₃BO₃, BF₃ · C₂H₅NH₂, H₃PO₄ and HCl under mild hydrothermal conditions (220 °C). The crystal structure was determined by single crystal methods (triclinic, P1¯ (no. 2), a = 451.85(5) pm, b = 710.20(8) pm, c = 1210.2(2) pm, α = 86.08(1)°, β = 88.52(2)°, γ = 71.74(1)°, Z = 2) and contains infinite tetrahedral zweier‐single‐chains {[BPO₄F₂]^2—} which are isoelectronic (48e^—) with the polyanions {[Si₂O₆]^4—} of the pyroxene family.     

Tritium content as indicator of environmental character on Taiwan Island

Environmental characters have been established by tritium contents in well water, coastal seawater and reservoir water collected from various places around Taiwan island. Tritium concentrations of samples were detected by a liquid scintillation analyzer TRI-CARB-LSC 2550 TR mode, with a low level standard quench curve. After samples were concentrated by electrolysis, tritium concentration was detected in optimum conditions of LLLSA. An electrolytic enrichment technique was also developed with a eurrent density of 100 mA/cm² and 0.4–0.6% (Na₂O₂) electrolyte in concentrated samples. Data observed show a lower tritium concentration for coastal seawater than for wells in the same area. The tritium concentration ratio of well and coastal seawater on the western side of Taiwan is 4.000 and on the eastern side 5.801. Tritium content of reservoir water is related to the logarithm of effective volume capacity.     

Boomerang‐Type Substitution Reaction: Reactivity of Fullerene Epoxides and a Halofullerenol

The C_s‐symmetric fullerene chlorohydrin C₆₀(Cl)(OH)(OOtBu)₄ reacts with 4‐dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) and 1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) to yield two isomers with the formula C₆₀(O)(OOtBu)₄ in good yields. These isomers differ with respect to the location of the epoxy functionality. The one from DMAP is C_s symmetric, whereas that from DABCO is C₁ symmetric with the epoxy group on the central pentagon. Two different mechanisms are proposed to explain the chemoselectivity of these reactions. The reaction with DMAP involves single‐electron transfer as the key step; DMAP acts as the electron donor. A combination of an oxygen‐atom shift and S_N2′′ processes (boomerang substitution) are responsible for the formation of isomer with DACBO. Various related reactions support the proposed mechanisms. The structures of new fullerene derivatives were determined by spectroscopy, single‐crystal X‐ray analysis, and chemical correlation experiments.     

Ring-opening reaction of methylenecyclopropanes with LiCl, LiBr or NaI in acetic acid

The methylenecyclopropanes 1 react with LiCl, LiBr or NaI at 80 °C to give the corresponding gem-disubstituted homoallylic halides 2 in good to excellent yields in acetic acid. In some cases, the ring-opening reaction can be completed within 5 min to give the corresponding gem-disubstituted homoallylic halides in high yields.     

Production of 1,3-propanediol by Klebsiella pneumoniae

1,3-Propanediol (1,3-PD) has numerous applications from polymers to cosmetics, foods, lubricants, and medicines. Recently, there are strong industrial interests in a new kind of polyester, polytrimethylene terephthalate, with 1,3-PD as a monomer. This new polyester shows significant promise for use in carpeting and textiles. In this article we introduce a mild aerobic fermentation process using a strain screened from Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 25955, which is insensitive to oxygen, to produce 1,3-PD. We also describe a two-step fermentation process starting with glucose that was converted into glycerol with a glycerol-producing yeast, followed by K. pneumoniae that converts glycerol into 1,3-PD without intermediate isolation and purification of glycerol.     

The neomycin biosynthetic gene cluster of Streptomyces fradiae NCIMB 8233: characterisation of an aminotransferase involved in the formation of 2-deoxystreptamine

The biosynthetic gene cluster of the 2-deoxystreptamine (DOS)-containing aminoglycoside antibiotic neomycin has been cloned for the first time by screening of a cosmid library of Streptomyces fradiae NCIMB 8233. Sequence analysis has identified 21 putative open reading frames (ORFs) in the neomycin gene cluster (neo) with significant protein sequence similarity to gene products involved in the biosynthesis of other DOS-containing aminoglycosides, namely butirosin (btr), gentamycin (gnt), tobramycin (tbm) and kanamycin (kan). Located at the 5'-end of the neo gene cluster is the previously-characterised neomycin phosphotransferase gene (apH). Three genes unique to the neo and btr clusters have been revealed by comparison of the neo cluster to btr, gnt, tbm and kan clusters. This suggests that these three genes may be involved in the transfer of a ribose moiety to the DOS ring during the antibiotic biosynthesis. The product of the neo-6 gene is characterised here as the L-glutamine : 2-deoxy-scyllo-inosose aminotransferase responsible for the first transamination in DOS biosynthesis, which supports the assignment of the gene cluster.     

Electrostatic recognition and induced fit in the kappa-PVIIA toxin binding to Shaker potassium channel

Brownian dynamics (BD) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and electrostatic calculations were performed to study the binding process of kappa-PVIIA to the Shaker potassium channel and the structure of the resulting complex. BD simulations, guided by electrostatic interactions, led to an initial alignment between the toxin and the channel protein. MD simulations were then carried out to allow for rearrangements from this initial structure. After approximately 4 ns, a critical "induced fit" process was observed to last for approximately 2 ns. In this process, the interface was reorganized, and side chains were moved so that favorable atomic contacts were formed or strengthened, while unfavorable contacts were eliminated. The final complex structure was stabilized through electrostatic interactions with the positively charged side chain of Lys7 of kappa-PVIIA deeply inserted into the channel pore and other hydrogen bonds and by hydrophobic interactions involving Phe9 and Phe23 of the toxin. The validity of the predicted structure for the complex was assessed by calculating the effects of mutating charged and polar residues of both the toxin and the channel protein, with the calculated effects correlating reasonably well with experimental data. The present study suggests a general binding mechanism, whereby proteins are pre-aligned in their diffusional encounter by long-range electrostatic attraction, and nanosecond-scale rearrangements within the initial complex then lead to a specifically bound complex.