Preparation and characterization of M2(SeAr′)6 and mixed ligand M2(OR)2(SeAr′)4 species (M = Mo, W)

Toluene solutions of M₂(NMe₂)₆ (M = Mo, W) react with mesitylene selenol (Ar′SeH) to give M₂(SeAr′) ₆ complexes. MO₂(OR)₆ (R = ^tBu, CH₂^tBu) react with excess> 6 fold) Ar′SeH to give Mo₂ (SeAr′)₆, whilst W₂(OR)₆(py)₂ (R = ⁱPr, CH₂^tBu) react with excess (> 6 fold) Ar′SeH to give W₂(OR)₂(SeAr′)₄. Reaction of MO₂(OPrⁱ)₆ with Ar′SeH produces Mo₂(OPrⁱ)₂ (SeAr′)₄ which crystallizes in two different space groups. These areneselenato complexes are air-stable and insoluble in common organic solvents. X-ray crystallographic studies revealed that the Mo₂(SeAr′)₆ and W₂(SeAr′)₆ compounds are isostructural in the solid state and adopt ethane-like staggered configurations with the following important structural parameters, M---M (W---W/Mo---Mo) 2.3000(11)/2.2175(13) Å, M---Se 2.430 (av.)/2.440 (av.) Å, M---M---SE 97.0° (av.)°. In the solid state W₂(OⁱPr)₂(SeAr′)₄ adopts the anti-configuration with crystallographically imposed C_i symmetry and W---W 2.3077(7) Å, W---Se 2.435 (av.) Å, W---O 1.858(6) Å; W---W---SE 100.27(3)°, 93.8(3)° and W---W---O 108.41(17)°. Mo₂(OPrⁱ)₂(SeAr′) ₄ crystallizes in both P and A2/a space groups in which the molecules are isostructural with each other and the tungsten analogue. Important bond lengths and angles are Mo---Mo 2.180(24) Å, Mo---Se 2.432(av.) Å, Mo---O 1.872(9) Å, Mo---Mo---Se 99.39(9)°, 94.71(8)°, Mo---Mo---O 107.55(28)°.     

Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of Optimal Cutting Temperature (OCT) Embedded Core-Needle Biopsy of Lung Cancer

With recent advances in understanding the genomic underpinnings and oncogenic drivers of pathogenesis in different subtypes, it is increasingly clear that proper pretreatment diagnostics are essential for the choice of appropriate treatment options for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Tumor tissue preservation in optimal cutting temperature (OCT) compound is commonly used in the surgical suite. However, proteins recovered from OCT-embedded specimens pose a challenge for LC-MS/MS experiments, due to the large amounts of polymers present in OCT. Here we present a simple workflow for whole proteome analysis of OCT-embedded NSCLC tissue samples, which involves a simple trichloroacetic acid precipitation step. Comparisons of protein recovery between frozen versus OCT-embedded tissue showed excellent consistency with more than 9200 proteins identified. Using an isobaric labeling strategy, we quantified more than 5400 proteins in tumor versus normal OCT-embedded core needle biopsy samples. Gene ontology analysis indicated that a number of proliferative as well as squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC) marker proteins were overexpressed in the tumor, consistent with the patient’s pathology based diagnosis of “poorly differentiated SqCC”. Among the most downregulated proteins in the tumor sample, we noted a number of proteins with potential immunomodulatory functions. Finally, interrogation of the aberrantly expressed proteins using a candidate approach and cross-referencing with publicly available databases led to the identification of potential druggable targets in DNA replication and DNA damage repair pathways. We conclude that our approach allows LC-MS/MS proteomic analyses on OCT-embedded lung cancer specimens, opening the way to bring powerful proteomics into the clinic.

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Observation and mechanistic study of facile C-O bond formation between a well-defined aryl-copper(III) complex and oxygen nucleophiles

A well-defined macrocyclic aryl–Cu(III) complex (2) reacts readily with a variety of oxygen nucleophiles, including carboxylic acids, phenols and alcohols, under mild conditions to form the corresponding aryl esters, biaryl ethers and alkyl aryl ethers. The relationship between these reactions and catalytic C-O coupling methods is demonstrated by the reaction of the macrocyclic aryl–Br species with acetic acid and p-fluorophenol in the presence of 10 mol% Cu(I). An aryl-Cu(III)-Br species 2(Br) was observed as an intermediate in the catalytic reaction. Investigation of the stoichiometric C-O bond-forming reactions revealed nucleophile-dependent changes in the mechanism. The reaction of 2 with carboxylic acids revealed a positive correlation between the log(k(obs)) and the pK(a) of the nucleophile (less-acidic nucleophiles react more rapidly), whereas a negative correlation was observed with most phenols (more-acidic phenols react more rapidly). The latter trend resembles previous observations with nitrogen nucleophiles. With carboxylic acids and acidic phenols, UV-visible spectroscopic data support the formation of a ground-state adduct between 2 and the oxygen nucleophile. Collectively, kinetic and spectroscopic data support a unified mechanism for aryl-O coupling from the Cu(III) complex, consisting of nucleophile coordination to the Cu(III) center, deprotonation of the coordinated nucleophile, and C-O (or C-N) reductive elimination from Cu(III).     

Mechanistic analysis of trans C-N reductive elimination from a square-planar macrocyclic aryl-copper(III) complex

A net trans C-N reductive elimination reaction is observed from a macrocyclic aryl-Cu(III) complex, and a mechanistic study of this reaction indicates that coordinating ligands play a role in mediating this unusual transformation.     

A convenient synthesis of 3-aryl-δ-lactones

Various (±)-3-aryl-δ-lactones have been prepared from the corresponding arylacetic acids. The lithium dianion of the acid is alkylated with 1-bromo-3-chloropropane and the unpurified product is cyclized with DBU in typically ca. 80% yield over both steps. We have shown that lactones of this type can be converted to their corresponding 5,6-dihydropyan-2-ones and pyran-2-ones, which potentially provide useful sites for further functionalization of the lactone ring.     

Relationship Between Professional Development,Teachers' Instructional Practices,and the Achievement of Students in Science and Mathematics

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between different types of professional development, teachers' instructional practices, and the achievement of students in science and mathematics. The types of professional development studied included immersion, examining practice, curriculum implementation, curriculum development, and collaborative work. Data regarding teachers' instructional practices and the amount of professional development were collected using teacher surveys. Ninety‐four middle school science teachers and 104 middle school mathematics teachers participated in the study. Student achievement was measured using eighth grade state science and mathematics achievement test data. Regression analyses suggested that for both science and mathematics teachers, examining practice and curriculum development were significantly related to the use of standards‐based instructional practices. Only curriculum development for mathematics teachers was significantly related to student achievement. Implications of results for the professional development of science and mathematics teachers are discussed.