Comparative resin kinetics using in situ fluorescence measurements

The aminolysis of a novel activated ester resin was utilized for kinetic study via continuous in situ fluorescence measurements. A variety of resin compositions (polystyrene, JandaJel, ArgoPore, TentaGel, NovaGel, and PEGA) and solvents (dimethylformamide, acetonitrile, tetrahydrofuran, 1,2-dichlorethane, and toluene) were tested to compare their effects on the reaction rate. A linear relationship between the reaction rate and (solvent polarity x swelling of resin) was elucidated for the aminolysis reaction.     

Nordesferriferrithiocin. Comparative Coordination Chemistry of a Prospective Therapeutic Iron Chelating Agent(1)

Nordesferriferrithiocin, NDFFTH(2), is a derivative of the siderophore desferriferrithiocin, DFFTH(2), in which the methyl group is substituted by a hydrogen atom. Both compounds show high oral activity as possible drugs for the treatment of iron overload. While DFFTH(2) is significantly toxic, NDFFTH(2) exhibits a lower toxicity and offers a much better therapeutic window than other orally active iron chelators. In this study, complexes of DFFTH(2) and NDFFTH(2) with various trivalent metals have been synthesized and characterized. Five isomers (the maximum possible) have been observed in the case of [Co(DFFT)(2)](-) in solution, as proved by (1)H-NMR measurements. Although normally labile, complexes of Al(3+) ([Al(DFFT)(2)](-)) have been separated by HPLC. In general, DFFTH(2) forms kinetically inert complexes whereas complexes of NDFFTH(2) tend to isomerize quickly in solution, as indicated by CD spectroscopy of separated HPLC fractions of [Cr(NDFFT)(2)](-). The most stable isomers of the aluminum complexes of both ligands have been characterized by X-ray crystallography; K[Al(DFFT)(2)] crystallizes from methanol/diethyl ether in the orthorhombic space group P2(1)2(1)2 with a = 11.238(3) ?, b = 31.719(11) ?, c = 7.684(2) ?, V = 2739.2(24) ?(3), and Z = 4. This isomer has the mer-(N,O-Lambda)(S,S) configuration, while K[Al(NDFFT)(2)] crystallizes from methanol/diethyl ether in the space group P6(1) (a = 21.269(8) ?, c = 9.643(3) ?, V = 3777.8(42) ?(3), Z = 6) and has the same coordination geometry. The solution thermodynamics of the Al(3+), Ga(3+), and Fe(3+) complexes have been studied by spectrophotometric titration. The stability constants (log K) are 23.6(1), 29.2(3), and 31.04(3), respectively, for the DFFTH(2) complexes and 22.0(1), 27.8(2), and 29.09(3), respectively, for the NDFFTH(2) complexes. Cyclic voltammograms of both iron complexes have been recorded in water at a carbon disk working electrode and in DMF at a graphite working electrode. The reduction waves measured in DMF indicate no reversibility whereas in water a quasi-reversible reduction is observed. The reduction potentials (E(1/2)'s) in water are -166 mV for [Fe(DFFT)(2)](-) and -97 mV for [Fe(NDFFT)(2)](-) versus NHE. These potentials are well in the range for biological reductants, which makes possible an in vivo reduction mechanism for the iron removal from the siderophore.     

The complex of a bivalent derivative of galanthamine with torpedo acetylcholinesterase displays drastic deformation of the active-site gorge: implications for structure-based drug design

Bifunctional derivatives of the alkaloid galanthamine, designed to interact with both the active site of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and its peripheral cation binding site, have been assayed with Torpedo californica AChE (TcAChE), and the three-dimensional structures of their complexes with the enzyme have been solved by X-ray crystallography. Differences were noted between the IC(50) values obtained for TcAChE and those for Electrophorus electricus AChE. These differences are ascribed to sequence differences in one or two residues lining the active-site gorge of the enzyme. The binding of one of the inhibitors disrupts the native conformation of one wall of the gorge, formed by the loop Trp279-Phe290. It is proposed that flexibility of this loop may permit the binding of inhibitors such as galanthamine, which are too bulky to penetrate the narrow neck of the gorge formed by Tyr121 and Phe330 as seen in the crystal structure.     

Synthesis of 1,4-polyisoprene support of 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid (ethephon), a stimulating compound for the latex production by the Hevea brasiliensis

2-Chloroethylphosphonic acid (ethephon) is a well known stimulating product used to improve the latex production by the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis). Its chemical fixation in side position of 1,4-polyisoprene chains by weak chemical bond was considered in order to prepare new derivatives having prolonged stimulating activity. The synthesis was considered by using a chemical modification procedure according to a two-step process. Firstly, an epoxidized 1,4-polyisoprene intermediate was prepared by partial epoxidation of 1,4-polyisoprene. Secondly, the grafting of 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid was achieved by using the reactivity of the P-OH acidic function (or a P-OSiMe₃ derived from P-OH) of the reagent toward oxirane rings of epoxidized 1,4-polyisoprene. It was noted that grafting yields are improved when the reaction is carried out in bulk or in a non-polar solvent, and more especially in neutral conditions, that is by replacing ethephon with its trimethylsilylated derivatives [monotrimethylsilyl 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid or, more especially, di(trimethysilyl) 2-chloroethylphosphonate]. With this latter, the addition occurs by the intermediate of the P-OSiMe₃ bond, and the formation of 2-oxo-l,3,2-dioxaphospholane structures is highly favored.     

Effect of OH internal torsion on the OH-stretching spectrum of cis,cis-HOONO

We show that a simple two-dimensional vibrational model can explain most of the features observed in the first and second OH-stretching overtone region of the room temperature cis,cis-HOONO spectrum. The model uses ab initio calculated parameters and includes the OH-stretching mode coupled to the internal torsion of the OH group.     

Novel open-chain and cyclic conformationally constrained (R)- and (S)-α,α-disubstituted tyrosine analogues

A series of novel open-chain and cyclic conformationally constrained (R)- and (S)-α,α-disubstituted tyrosine analogues 1a–e were synthesized in good yields and high optical purities (Schemes 1 and 2). The absolute configurations of these tyrosine analogues were unambiguously determined based on the X-ray structures of the precursor diastereoisomeric peptides of type 4 and 5 . Four of these structures are described (Figs. 1–4), showing β-turn type-I geometries for dipeptides 4a, 5b , and 4c and an extended conformation for peptide 5c (Table 3). The conversion of the free amino acids 1a–c into suitably protected building blocks 11a–d and 15d,e for peptide synthesis is discussed (Schemes 3 and 4).     

An investigation into the construction of molecular models by the template joining method

Summary The results of a wide-ranging investigation into some of the different methods available for performing the joining of templates to build molecular models show that the choice of algorithm can significantly affect the quality of the results obtained, and different algorithms are most suited to particular categories of join.     

Diverse redox-active molecules bearing O-, S-, or Se-terminated tethers for attachment to silicon in studies of molecular information storage

A molecular approach to information storage employs redox-active molecules tethered to an electroactive surface. Attachment of the molecules to electroactive surfaces requires control over the nature of the tether (linker and surface attachment group). We have synthesized a collection of redox-active molecules bearing different linkers and surface anchor groups in free or protected form (hydroxy, mercapto, S-acetylthio, and Se-acetylseleno) for attachment to surfaces such as silicon, germanium, and gold. The molecules exhibit a number of cationic oxidation states, including one (ferrocene), two [zinc(II)porphyrin], three [cobalt(II)porphyrin], or four (lanthanide triple-decker sandwich compound). Electrochemical studies of monolayers of a variety of the redox-active molecules attached to Si(100) electrodes indicate that molecules exhibit a regular mode of attachment (via a Si-X bond, X = O, S, or Se), relatively homogeneous surface organization, and robust reversible electrochemical behavior. The acetyl protecting group undergoes cleavage during the surface deposition process, enabling attachment to silicon via thio or seleno groups without handling free thiols or selenols.     

Design and synthesis of highly sensitive and selective fluorescein-derived magnesium fluorescent probes and application to intracellular 3D Mg2+ imaging

The role of intracellular magnesium ions is of high interest in the fields of pharmacology and cellular biology. To accomplish the dynamic and three-dimensional imaging of intracellular Mg2+, there is a strong desire for the development of optimized Mg2+ fluorescent probes. In this paper we describe the design, synthesis, and cellular application of the three novel Mg2+ fluorescent probes KMG-101, -103, and -104. The compounds of this series feature a charged beta-diketone as a binding site specific for Mg2+ and a fluorescein residue as the fluorophore that can be excited with an Ar+ laser such as is widely used in confocal scanning microscopy. This molecular design leads to an intensive off-on-type fluorescent response toward Mg2+ ions. The two fluorescent probes KMG-103 and -104 showed suitable dissociation constants (Kd,Mg2+ = 2 mM) and nearly a 10-fold fluorescence enhancement over the intracellular magnesium ion concentration range (0.1-6 mM), allowing high-contrast, sensitive, and selective Mg2+ measurements. For intracellular applications, the membrane-permeable probe KMG-104AM was synthesized and successfully incorporated into PC12 cells. Upon application of the mitochondria uncoupler FCCP to the probe-incorporated cells, the resulting increase in the free magnesium ion concentration could be followed over time. By using a confocal microscope, the intracellular 3D magnesium ion concentration distributions were satisfactorily observed.