Synthesis and Applications of (ONO Pincer)Ruthenium‐Complex‐Bound Norvalines

Two (ONO pincer)ruthenium‐complex‐bound norvalines, Boc?[Ru(pydc)(terpy)]Nva?OMe ( 1 ; Boc=tert‐butyloxycarbonyl, terpy=terpyridyl, Nva=norvaline) and Boc?[Ru(pydc)(tBu‐terpy)]Nva?OMe ( 5 ), were successfully synthesized and their molecular structures and absolute configurations were unequivocally determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The robustness of the pincer Ru complexes and norvaline scaffolds against acidic/basic, oxidizing, and high‐temperature conditions enabled us to perform selective transformations of the N‐Boc and C?OMe termini into various functional groups, such as alkyl amide, alkyl urea, and polyether groups, without the loss of the Ru center or enantiomeric purity. The resulting dialkylated Ru‐bound norvaline, n‐C₁₁H₂₃CO?l ‐[Ru(pydc)(terpy)]Nva?NH‐n‐C₁₁H₂₃ (l ‐ 4 ) was found to have excellent self‐assembly properties in organic solvents, thereby affording the corresponding supramolecular gels. Ru‐bound norvaline l ‐ 1 exhibited a higher catalytic activity for the oxidation of alcohols by H₂O₂ than parent complex [Ru(pydc)(terpy)] ( 11 a ).     

Formation and characterization of Co(III)-semiquinonate phenoxyl radical species

Co(III) complexes of N(3)O-donor tripodal ligands, 2,4-di(tert-butyl)-6-{[bis(2-pyridyl)methyl]aminomethyl}phenolate (tbuL), 2,4-di(tert-butyl)-6-{[bis(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)methyl]aminomethyl}phenolate (tbuL(Mepy)(2)), were prepared, and precursor Co(II) complexes, [Co(tbuL)Cl] (1) and [Co(tbuL(Mepy)(2))Cl] (2), and ternary Co(III) complexes, [Co(tbuL)(acac)]ClO(4) (3), [Co(tbuL)(tbu-cat)] (4), and [Co(tbuL(Mepy)(2))(tbu-SQ)]ClO(4) (5), where acac, tbu-cat, and tbu-SQ refer to pentane-2,4-dionate, 3,5-di(tert-butyl)catecholate, and 3,5-di(tert-butyl)semiquinonate, respectively, were structurally characterized by the X-ray diffraction method. Complexes 3 and 5 have a mononuclear structure with a fac-N(3)O(3) donor set, while 4 has a mer-N(3)O(3) structure. The cyclic voltammogram (CV) of complex 3 exhibited one reversible redox wave centered at 0.93 V (vs Ag/AgCl) in CH(3)CN. Complex 5 was converted to a phenoxyl radical species upon oxidation with Ce(IV), showing a characteristic pi-pi* transition band at 412 nm. The ESR spectrum at low temperature and the resonance Raman spectrum of 3 established that the radical species has a Co(III)-phenoxyl radical bond. On the other hand, the CVs showed two oxidation processes at E(1/2) = 0.01 and E(pa) = 0.92 V for 4 and E(1/2a) = 0.05 and E(1/2b) = 0.69 V for 5. The rest potential of 4 (-0.11 V) was lower than the E(1/2) value, whereas that of 5 (0.18 V) was higher, indicating that the first redox wave of 4 and 5 is assigned to the tbu-cat and the tbu-SQ redox process, respectively. One-electron oxidized 4 showed absorption, resonance Raman, and ESR spectra which are similar to those of 5, suggesting formation of a stable Co(III)-semiquinonate species, which has the same oxidation level of 5. The resonance Raman spectrum of two-electron oxidized 4 showed the nu(8a) bands of the semiquinonate and phenoxyl radical, which were absent in the spectrum of one-electron oxidized 5. Since both oxidized species were ESR inactive at 5 K, the former was concluded to be a biradical species containing semiquinonate and phenoxyl radicals coupled antiferromagnetically and the latter to a species with a coordinated quinone.     

Apotirucallane and tirucallane triterpenoids from Cedrela sinensis

Nine new triterpenoids, 1-9, were isolated from the cortex of Cedrela sinensis (Meliaceae), together with six known compounds, sapelin E acetate, grandifoliolenone, azadirone, bourjotinolone A, piscidinol A, and hispidol B. The structures of 1-9 were determined by the 2D NMR experiments, chemical methods, and X-ray crystallography.     

Dalitz plot analysis of Coulomb exploding O3 in ultrashort intense laser fields

The three-body Coulomb explosion of O3, O3(3+)-->O++O++O+, in ultrashort intense laser fields (2x10(15) W/cm2) is studied with two different pulse durations (9 and 40 fs) by the coincidence momentum imaging method. In addition to a decrease in the total kinetic energy release, a broadening in the Dalitz plot distribution [Philos. Mag. 44, 1068 (1953)] is observed when the pulse duration is increased from 9 to 40 fs. The analysis based on a simple Coulomb explosion model shows that the geometrical structure of O3 remains almost unchanged during the interaction with the few-cycle intense laser fields, while a significant structural deformation along all the three vibrational coordinates, including the antisymmetric stretching coordinate, is identified in the 40 fs intense laser fields. The observed nuclear dynamics are discussed in terms of the population transfer to the excited states of O3.     

Botryoidal assembly of cholesteryl-pullulan/poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) nanogels

Hybrid nanogels consisting of cholesteryl-modified pullulan (CHP) and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) were synthesized by graft free-radical copolymerization of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) onto methacryloyl-substituted CHP nanogels (CHPMA) in water at 50 degrees C in the presence of a water-soluble free radical initiator. Depending on the initial NIPAM/CHPMA ratio, CHP-PNIPAM (CN) nanogels containing 30.8-84.8 wt % PNIPAM were obtained in the form of self-assembled nanoparticles with a hydrodynamic radius (Rh) of 69.0-116.0 nm in water kept at 20 degrees C. Hybrid nanogels of sufficiently high NIPAM content, such as the sample CN90, which contains 79.6 wt % NIPAM, exhibited a two-step response to changes in solution (3 mg/mL) temperature: a decrease in Rh from 93 to 57 nm as the temperature increased from 20 to 35 degrees C, followed by a sharp increase in Rh from 57 nm to 90 nm at 55 degrees C. Both steps in this temperature response were reversible. The multistep response to temperature of the CN nanogels was attributed to the morphology of the nanogels, which are seen as consisting of grape-like (botryoidal) clusters of associated native nanogels held together via cholesteryl cross-linking points and held together by the grafted PNIPAM chains.     

Surface modification with well-defined biocompatible triblock copolymers Improvement of biointerfacial phenomena on a poly(dimethylsiloxane) surface

To improve interfacial phenomena of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) as biomaterials, well-defined triblock copolymers were prepared as coating materials by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) controlled polymerization. Hydroxy-terminated poly(vinylmethylsiloxane-co-dimethylsiloxane) (HO–PV_lD_mMS–OH) was synthesized by ring-opening polymerization. The copolymerization ratio of vinylmethylsiloxane to dimethylsiloxane was 1/9. The molecular weight of HO–PV_lD_mMS–OH ranged from (1.43 to 4.44) × 10⁴, and their molecular weight distribution (M_w/M_n) as determined by size-exclusion chromatography equipped with multiangle laser light scattering (SEC-MALS) was 1.16. 4-Cyanopentanoic acid dithiobenzoate was reacted with HO–PV_lD_mMS–OH to obtain macromolecular chain transfer agents (macro-CTA). 2-Methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) was polymerized with macro-CTAs. The gel-permeation chromatography (GPC) chart of synthesized polymers was a single peak and M_w/M_n was relatively narrow (1.3–1.6). Then the poly(MPC) (PMPC)–PV_lD_mMS–PMPC triblock copolymers were synthesized. The molecular weight of PMPC in a triblock copolymer was easily controllable by changing the polymerization time or the composition of the macro-CTA to a monomer in the feed. The synthesized block copolymers were slightly soluble in water and extremely soluble in ethanol and 2-propanol.

Surface modification was performed via hydrosilylation. The block copolymer was coated on the PDMS film whose surface was pretreated with poly(hydromethylsiloxane). The surface wettability and lubrication of the PDMS film were effectively improved by immobilization with the block copolymers. In addition, the number of adherent platelets from human platelet-rich plasma (PRP) was dramatically reduced by surface modification. Particularly, the triblock copolymer having a high composition ratio of MPC units to silicone units was effective in improving the surface properties of PDMS.

By selective decomposition of the Si–H bond at the surface of the PDMS substrate by irradiation with UV light, the coating region of the triblock copolymer was easily controlled, resulting in the fabrication of micropatterns. On the surface, albumin adsorption was well manipulated.     

Screening of Promising Chemotherapeutic Candidates from Plants against Human Adult T-Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma (VII): Active Principles from Thuja occidentalis L.

During the screening of novel chemotherapeutic candidates from plants against adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma, we identified that the extracts of Thuja occidentalis (Cupressaceae) showed potent anti-proliferative activity in MT-1 and MT-2 cells. Therefore, we attempted to isolate the active components from this plant. We isolated and identified 32 compounds (1–32; eight lignans, 18 terpenoids, and six flavonoids) from the extracts of the leaves and cones. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analysis. Several of the isolated compounds inhibited the growth of both cell lines. Lignans showed more potent activity than other classes of compounds. A comparison of the activities of compounds 1–8 revealed that the presence of a trans-lactone (linkage of C-6 to C-7) correlated with increased activity. Diterpenes showed moderate activity, and the presence of a ketone moiety at the C-7 position correlated with increased activity in compounds 12–21. In addition, biflavones showed moderate activity, and the presence of methoxy functions appeared to influence the activity of these compounds. Several lignans were lead compound of anti-cancer reagent (etoposide). In conclusion, not only lignans, but also diterpenes and/or biflavones, may be promising candidates for the treatment of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma.     

Synthesis and in vitro evaluation of botryllazine B analogues as a new class of inhibitor against human aldose reductase

Botryllazine B analogues of diverse substitution patterns have been prepared, and their in vitro inhibitory activities against recombinant human aldose reductase (h-ALR2) evaluated. Among the 15 compounds tested, 6-(4-aminophenyl)-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)carbonylpyrazine (7b) proved to be the most potent inhibitor, with IC₅₀=0.91 μM. Kinetic analyses of 7b and botryllazine B (1) revealed that these inhibitors exhibit an unprecedented mixed-type inhibition on h-ALR2 with respect to the substrate d,l-glyceraldehyde, in the presence of NADPH at inhibitor concentrations near the IC₅₀ values.     

Self‐Assembled Nanogel of Hydrophobized Dendritic Dextrin for Protein Delivery

Highly branched cyclic dextrin derivatives (CH‐CDex) that are partly substituted with cholesterol groups have been synthesized. The CH‐CDex forms monodisperse and stable nanogels with a hydrodynamic radii of ≈10 nm by the self‐assembly of 4–6 CH‐CDex macromolecules in water. The CH‐CDex nanogels spontaneously trap 10–16 molecules of fluorescein isothiocyanate‐labeled insulin (FITC‐Ins). The complex shows high colloidal stability: no dissociation of trapped insulin is observed after at least 1 month in phosphate buffer (0.1 M , pH 8.0). In the presence of bovine serum albumin (BSA, 50 mg · mL^?1), which is a model blood system, the FITC‐Ins trapped in the nanogels is continuously released (≈20% at 12 h) without burst release. The high‐density nanogel structure derived from the highly branched CDex significantly affects the stability of the nanogel–protein complex.

     

Nepalensinols D-G, new resveratrol oligomers from Kobresia nepalensis (Cyperaceae) as potent inhibitors of DNA topoisomerase II

Four new resveratrol oligomers, nepalensinols D-G, were isolated from the stem of Kobresia nepalensis (Cyperaceae). The structures were determined by detailed NMR spectral analysis. The compounds were assessed for their inhibitory activity against human topoisomerase II, a potential target of anti-tumor agents. These stilbenoids showed potent inhibitory activity against human topoisomerase II with IC50 values of 5-15 microM.