Self-assembly of polar functionalities using noncovalent platforms

Small peptide fragments functionalized with dimelamine units spontaneously form well-defined assemblies. The hydrogen-bond donating and accepting sites in the peptide units are perfectly compatible with the hydrogen-bond assembly motif and slightly stabilize the assembly via additional hydrogen-bond formation.     

CYCLOADDITION-ELIMINATION REACTIONS OF 4-ALKYL-5-ARYLIMINO-1,2,3,4-THIATRIAZOLINES

Abstract

In previous work, we have shown that 4-alkyl-5-arylsulfonylimino-1,2,3,4-thiatriazolines (1, R = ArSO₂) react with unsaturated compounds (a=b) at the decomposition temperature of 1 via the intermediacy of a thiaziridinimine or its open-chain 1,3-dipole.     

Acetylcholine detection at micromolar concentrations with the use of an artificial receptor-based fluorescence switch

An inclusion complex between water-soluble p-sulfocalix[n]arene (Cn, n=4, 6, 8) and the chromophore trans-4-[4-(dimethylamino)styryl]-1-methylpyridinium-p-toluenesulfonate (D) formed the basis for a highly sensitive sensor for the selective detection of neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh). Formation of the [Cn.D] complex (Ka=approximately 10(5) M(-1)) was accompanied by a drastic increase (up to 20-60-fold) in the chromophore relative quantum yield and by a large hypsochromic shift of the emission band maximum. The observed optical effects are fully reversible: ACh displaces the chromophore molecules from the calixarene cavity as shown by the reappearance of the free chromophore emission band. Formation and dissociation of the complex were studied by fluorescence, 1H NMR, and UV-vis absorption spectroscopies. The [Cn.D] complex is capable of sensing ACh selectively in solution at sub-micromolar concentrations. Immobilization of monocarboxyl p-sulfocalix[4]arene (C4m) on an oxide-containing silicon surface is in keeping with its properties, such as chromophore binding and the ability of the immobilized inclusion complex to detect ACh. The unique [Cn.D] complex optical switching paves the way for application in ACh imaging and optoelectronic sensing.