Pericyclic organometallic reactions. Cycloaddition reactions of (η-cycloheptatriene)Ru(CO)3. Crystal structure of tricarbonyl[(2,3,4,9-η)-bicyclo[4.2.1]non-2-ene-4,9-diyl-7,7,8,8-tetracarbonitrile]ruthenium

(η⁴-Cycloheptatriene)Ru(CO)₃ reacts with tetracyanoethylene (TCNE), 4-phenyltriazoline-3,5-dione (PTAD) and (carbomethoxy)maleic anhydride (CMA) to give stable 3 + 2 σ,π-allylic adducts. The 3 + 2 adduct with TCNE equilibrates via a [4,4]-sigmahaptotropic rearrangement with the less stable 6 + 2 adduct, which decomposes under the reaction conditions to the demetallated 6 + 2 adduct. It is concluded that σ,π-allylic adducts are in general more stable than their isomeric η⁴-π counterparts. The structure of the 3 + 2 TCNE adduct was determined by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study.     

Tetrasulfur, S4: rotational spectrum, interchange tunneling, and geometrical structure

The rotational spectrum of S4 has been observed for the first time in an electrical discharge through sulfur vapor. Two techniques have been used: Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy and long-path millimeter-wave absorption spectroscopy. Small, but systematic shifts of the measured transition frequencies of the normal isotopic species indicate that S4 has C2v symmetry but with a low-lying transition state of D2h symmetry, yielding interchange tunneling at 14.1(2) kHz in its ground vibrational state. From the rotational constants of the normal and the single 34S isotopic species, an experimental (r0) structure has been derived: S4 is a singlet planar trapezoid with a terminal bond length of 1.899(7) A, a central bond of 2.173(32) A, and an S-S-S angle of 103.9(8) degrees. Like thiozone (S3), S4 is a candidate for detection in the atmosphere of the Jovian moon Io and in other astronomical sources.     

Virus particles and receptor interaction monitored by fluorescence spectroscopy

Native fluorescence spectroscopy (NFS), primarily from tryptophan (trp), was used for in situ investigation of the virus-receptor attachment process in phi6, a lipid-containing bacteriophage from the Cystoviridae family. NFS allowed us to monitor the viral attachment directly to its receptor, which was isolated from the pseudomonad host. Immediately upon mixing, an increase in tryptophan emission intensity was observed followed by a subsequent decrease in emission intensity. The initial increase in emission intensity reflects changes in trp quantum efficiency as the phi6 surface proteins change their conformation as a result of virus attachment to the pilus. The cystovirus spike protein P3 is responsible for receptor recognition and the fluorescence changes observed are likely to be the consequence of its conformational transition at this initial infection stage, providing a kinetic view of this process. The subsequent decrease in trp emission intensity could be due to changes in viral proteins as a result of disassembly of the pili. The technique may have important applications for the dynamic monitoring of additional stages of the virus replication cycle such as assembly, interaction with nucleic acids and maturation. This work expands on a previous demonstration that fluorescence offered a novel tool to detect virus particle interaction with its host cell.     

Spectroscopic probing of the acid-base properties and photosensitization of a fluorinated phthalocyanine in organic solutions and liposomes

A perfluorinated derivative of phthalocyanine was synthesized as the free base, hexadeca-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy) phthalocyanine (H2F48Pc), and as a zinc complex, hexadeca-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)-phthalocyaninatozinc (ZnF48Pc), and their spectroscopic and photochemical properties were studied. The absorption bands are shifted bathochromically relative to simple phthalocyanines, exhibiting the longest wavelength band near 735 nm (H2F48Pc) and 705 (ZnF48Pc). The solvatochromism of both compounds was modeled by Reichardt's ET(30) parameter and Kamlet, Abboud and Taft multiparameter approach. The former, simpler, model was found to be adequate. We found that H2F48Pc undergoes unique basic and acidic titrations in organic solvents. These titration processes are accompanied by spectral changes that are explained on the basis of the chromophore's symmetry. Singular value decomposition was employed to resolve the spectra into the contributions of the species at various stages of protonation and to obtain the equilibrium constants. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectra (1H, 19F and 13C) for the free base were obtained in a tetrahydrofurand8 solution. The carbon spectrum, taken as a function of temperature, provided evidence for the presence of a tautomerization process, which switches the two internal hydrogens between the four central nitrogen atoms. As far as we know, this is the first report of the measurement of the free energy of activation for such process (delta G = 10.6-11.4 kcal mol-1 between 217 and 330 K) for a phthalocyanine, in solution. Like most other phthalocyanines these two compounds also act as photosensitizers and as generators of singlet molecular oxygen. The absolute quantum yields (phi delta) for ZnF48Pc was 0.58 +/- 0.01 in benzene and 0.35 +/- 0.01 in lipid vesicles. H2F48Pc had lower yields, 0.16 and 0.005, respectively. Either protonation or deprotonation of the pyrrole nitrogens in H2F48Pc lowered the phi delta.     

((15)N(5))-labeled adenine derivatives: synthesis and studies of tautomerism by (15)N NMR spectroscopy and theoretical calculations

Since the nitrogens of nucleosides and nucleotides play an important role in the molecular recognition of these compounds, (15)N NMR became a method of choice in this field. Fully (15)N-labeled adenine, required in the latter studies, was obtained in four synthetic steps, in a good yield. Likewise, ((15)N(5))-2-hexylthioether-adenine and ((15)N(5))-8-Br-adenine were obtained in five synthetic steps from the relatively inexpensive (15)N sources: (15)N-NH(4)Cl, (15)N-NH(4)OH, (15)N-NaNO(2). Full (15)N labeling of these adenine prototypes enabled to obtain high-resolution (15)N NMR spectra of these bases at 60.8 MHz. Furthermore, the spectra suggested the existence of the N3-H species in the tautomeric mixtures of these compounds in solution, in addition to the well-reported N9-H (major) and N7-H (minor) tautomers. These observations were also supported by quantum mechanical calculations of the tautomeric equilibria in the gas phase and in solution of the above-mentioned adenine compounds. The gas-phase tautomeric equilibria were estimated using density functional theory and second-order perturbation theory methods. Solvent effects were included by means of both continuum and discrete solvation models. The observation of the existence of the N3-H tautomer has a clear impact on the possible H-bonding patterns of these adenine prototypes and on their molecular recognition by various biological macromolecules. The above(15)N-labeled analogues are expected to find use as (15)N NMR probes for numerous biochemical studies.     

New regioselective multicomponent reaction: one pot synthesis of spiro heterobicyclic aliphatic rings

In the context of our high-throughput organic synthesis program, we have studied the reactivity of special beta-keto esters toward the Biginelli reaction. We have found that a cyclic beta-keto ester reacts with one molecule of urea and two molecules of aldehyde to give a new family of spiro heterobicyclic aliphatic rings in good yields. Interestingly, the Biginelli product was not detected. After analysis of products using HPLC, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR, we have found that the reaction is driven by a regio-specific condensation of two molecules of aldehyde with the other reagents to afford only products harboring substituents exclusively in cis configuration. Monte Carlo minimization studies using MM2 force field suggest that cis products are energetically more stable than the trans counterparts. Together with previously reported data, these results suggest that the trans products were not obtained as result of steric hindrance produced by the equatorial position of one of the ring substituents. This new reaction is useful for high-throughput organic synthesis. Indeed, the new scaffold can be used to introduce additional groups in the molecules through remaining functional groups by a "domino strategy".     

Polyethylated aromatic rings: conformation and rotational barriers of 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octaethylanthracene, 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-heptaethylfluorene, and 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octaethylfluorene

1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-Octaethylanthracene (5), 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-heptaethylfluorene (7), and 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octaethylfluorene (8) were synthesized by Friedel-Crafts ethylations of 9,10-dihydroanthracene and fluorene. MM3 calculations indicate that the two ethylated six-membered rings of 5 and 7 are conformationally independent. According to the calculations, two low-energy conformers of each compound are possible with the ethyl groups attached to the external aryl rings arranged in an alternated "up-down" orientation. MM3 calculations indicate that in the lowest energy conformation the central fluorene core of 8 adopts a twisted conformation to avoid repulsive steric interactions between the ethyls at the bay region. Two fully alternated up-down conformations are possible for 8, differing in the orientation ("in" or "out") of the ethyls in the bay region. MM3 calculations predict that the lowest energy conformer is the fully alternated "out" form of C(2)() symmetry. The rotational barriers of 5, 7, and 8 are in the 8.7-11.3 kcal mol(-1) range, the largest barrier corresponding to the more crowded octaethylfluorene 8. Anthracene 5 adopts in the crystal a conformation of approximate C(2)(h) symmetry with pairs of peri groups on the same edge of the molecule oriented syn. The conformations adopted in the crystal by 7 and 8 do not correspond to the calculated lowest energy form. In the conformation of 7 in the crystal the ethyl groups on the trisubstituted ring adopt the unusual all syn arrangement. Octaethylfluorene 8 adopts a conformation with a twisted central fluorene core but with a syn arrangement of a pair of vicinal ethyl groups.     

INACTIVATION OF Trypanosoma cruzi TRYPOMASTIGOTE FORMS IN BLOOD COMPONENTS BY PHOTODYNAMIC TREATMENT WITH PHTHALOCYANINES

Abstract— -Three phthalocyanine dyes HOSiPcOSi(CH₃)₂(CH₂)₃N(CH₃)₂ (Pc 4), HOSiPc-OSi(CH₃)₂(CH₂)₃N+(CH₃)3I- (Pc 5) and aluminum tetrasulfophthalocyanine hydroxide (AlOHPcS₄) were evaluated for their ability to inactivate the trypomastigote form of Trypanosoma cruzi in fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and red blood cell concentrates (RBCC). The compound Pc 4 was found to be highly effective in killing T. cruzi, Pc 5 less effective and AlOHPcS₄ ineffective. With FFP as the medium, a complete loss of parasite infectivity in vitro (≥5 log₁₀) was found to occur with 2 μ M Pc 4 after irradiation with red light (>600 nm) at a fiuence of 7.5 J/cm², while with RBCC as the medium, a complete loss was found to occur at a fiuence of 15 J/cm². Even without illumination, Pc 4 at 2 μ M also killed about 3.7-4.1 log₁₀ of T. cruzi in FFP during 30 min. Observed differences in T. cruzi killing by the various phthalocyanines may relate to differences in binding; Pc 4 binds to the parasites about twice as much as Pc 5. Ultrastructural analysis of treated parasites suggests that mitochondria are a primary target of this photodynamic treatment. The data indicate that Pc 4 combined with exposure to red light could be used to eliminate bloodborne T. cruzi parasites from blood components intended for transfusion. The inactivation of T. cruzi by Pc 4 in the dark suggests a possible therapeutic application.     

TDDFT Studies of Electronic Structure and First Hyperpolarizability of Tetra-nuclear Cubane-like Transition Metal Clusters

A series of tri-nuclear transition metal clusters with incomplete cubane-like configurations have been studied by TDDFT method. The calculations show that they have enormously large second-order polarizabilities () and are potential nonlinear optical materials for infrared double frequency conversion1. In this paper some tetra-nuclear transition metal clusters with cubane-like configurations, MCu3X4 (PPh3)3 (M=W, Mo; X= S, O, Cl, Se, Br), were studied by TDDFT method for a reference…