Oxime Side‐Chain Cross‐Links in an α‐Helical Coiled‐Coil Protein: Structure,Thermodynamics, and Folding‐Templated Synthesis of Bicyclic Species

Covalent side‐chain cross‐links are a versatile method to control peptide folding, particularly when α‐helical secondary structure is the target. Here, we examine the application of oxime bridges, formed by the chemoselective reaction between aminooxy and aldehyde side chains, for the stabilization of a helical peptide involved in a protein–protein complex. A series of sequence variants of the dimeric coiled coil GCN4‐p1 bearing oxime bridges at solvent‐exposed positions were prepared and biophysically characterized. Triggered unmasking of a side‐chain aldehyde in situ and subsequent cyclization proceed rapidly and cleanly at pH 7 in the folded protein complex. Comparison of folding thermodynamics among a series of different oxime bridges show that the cross links are consistently stabilizing to the coiled coil, with the extent of stabilization sensitive to the exact size and structure of the macrocycle. X‐ray crystallographic analysis of a coiled coil with the best cross link in place and a second structure of its linear precursor show how the bridge is accommodated into an α‐helix. Preparation of a bicyclic oligomer by simultaneous formation of two linkages in situ demonstrates the potential use of triggered oxime formation to both trap and stabilize a particular peptide folded conformation in the bound state.     

Perylene diimide copolymers with dithienothiophene and dithienopyrrole: Use in n‐channel and ambipolar field‐effect transistors

Solution‐processable polymers consisting of perylene diimide (PDI) acceptor moieties alternating with dithienothiophene (DTT), N‐dodecyl‐dithienopyrrole (DTP), or oligomers of these donor groups have been synthesized. We have, in addition to varying the donor, varied the N,N′ substituents of the PDIs. The thermal, optical, electrochemical, and charge‐transport properties of the polymers have been investigated. The polymers show broad absorption extending from 300 to 1000 nm with optical band gaps as low as 1.2 eV; the band gap decreases with increasing the conjugation length of donor block, or by replacement of DTT by DTP. The electron affinities of the polymers, estimated from electrochemical data, range from ?3.87 to ?4.01 eV and are slightly affected by the specific choice of donor moiety, while the estimated ionization potentials (?5.31 to ?5.92 eV) are more sensitive to the choice of donor. Bottom‐gate top‐contact organic field‐effect transistors based on the polymers generally exhibit n‐channel behavior with electron mobilities as high as 1.7 × 10^–2 cm²/V/s and on/off ratios as high as 10⁶; one PDI‐DTP polymer is an ambipolar transport material with electron mobility of 4 × 10^–4 cm²/V/s and hole mobility of 4 × 10^–5 cm²/V/s in air. There is considerable variation in the charge transport properties of the polymers with the chemical structures. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013     

Investigation of self-immolative linkers in the design of hydrogen peroxide activated metalloprotein inhibitors

A series of self-immolative boronic ester protected methyl salicylates and metal-binding groups with various linking strategies have been investigated for their use in the design of matrix metalloproteinase proinhibitors.     

Delocalization in platinum-alkynyl systems: a metal-bridged organic mixed-valence compound

A complex featuring two triarylamine redox centers bridged by Pt, trans-bis(triethylphosphine)-bis{4-[bis(4-methoxyphenyl)amino]phenylethynyl} platinum(II), has been synthesized as a model system for pi-conjugated Pt-containing polymers. Analysis of the intervalence charge-transfer band displayed by its mixed-valence monocation affords a quantitative assessment of electronic delocalization through the Pt bridge; this is found to be only slightly smaller than that determined for a benzene-bridged analogue. These results are supported by density functional theory calculations, which show that the active orbitals involved in the electron-transfer process in both cases have similar delocalization through the bridging unit.     

A model for surfactant distribution in latex coatings

The presence of surfactants in dried latex films can adversely affect the adhesive, water-resistant, and gloss properties, so investigating the surfactant distribution in latex coatings is of prime industrial relevance. Here we present a model that predicts the distribution of surfactant in a latex coating during the solvent evaporation stage. The conservation equation for surfactant during solvent evaporation is solved in the limit of infinite particle Peclet numbers, a dimensionless quantity giving the measure of relative magnitudes of evaporative to diffusive fluxes. A parametric analysis using the model reveals that the surfactant adsorption isotherm is the determining physical parameter. The model always predicts surfactant excesses at the top surface and either excess or depletion at the bottom surface depending on the isotherm. Uniform distributions are predicted for low surfactant Peclet numbers. Attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic probes on film surfaces conform to the behavior predicted by the model.     

Organic nanoparticles whose size and rigidity are finely tuned by cross-linking the end groups of dendrimers

Dendrimers with molecular weights ranging from ca. 2700 to 11 000 and from 16 to 64 homoallyl ether end groups were cross-linked using the Grubbs ring-closing metathesis reaction. A combination of SEC, MALDI-TOF-MS, and AFM were used to characterize the cross-linked nanoparticles. The data suggest a significant decrease in volume with cross-linking and a concomitant increase in rigidity, both of which can be controlled independently with a fair degree of precision.     

Helical coordination polymers and cyclic dimers formed from heteroleptic thioether-dipyrrinato copper(II) complexes

Heteroleptic copper complexes containing an acetylacetonato ligand and a thioether derivatized dipyrrinato ligand are shown to form oligomers and polymers in the solid state.     

Addressing lead toxicity: complexation of lead(II) with thiopyrone and hydroxypyridinethione O,S mixed chelators

The lead(II) ion is regarded as a serious environmental contaminant. A considerable need exists to develop selective ligands for remediation of this metal ion. Herein, the coordination chemistry of lead(II) is investigated with three O,S donor ligands: thiomaltol, 3-hydroxy-1-methyl-2(1H)-pyridinethione (3,2-HOPTO), and 3-hydroxy-1,2-dimethyl-4(1H)-pyridinethione (3,4-HOPTO). The X-ray structures of [Pb(thiomaltolato)(2)] and [Pb(3,4-HOPTO)(2)] have been solved, revealing the expected 4-coordinate geometries. Electronic spectra have been obtained for the lead(II) complexes with all three ligands. Preliminary solution studies show that the thiomaltol ligand binds lead(II) preferentially over magnesium(II) and calcium(II); however, [Pb(thiomaltolato)(2)] is not stable in the presence of 1 equiv of EDTA. Tetradentate ligands derived from these O,S chelators are expected to generate higher affinity ligands for lead(II) sequestration.