Spectroscopic investigation of interaction of 6-methoxyflavanone and its β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex with calf thymus DNA

The interaction of 6-methoxyflavanone (6MF, 6-methoxy-2-phenyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one) with calf thymus DNA (ctDNA) was investigated by absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry in the presence and absence of ??-cyclodextrin (??-CD) acting as capping agent. Molecular modelling was used to optimise the study of 6MF-??-CD and 6MF-DNA interactions. Enhancement in the fluorescence intensity of 6MF was observed due to the formation of 1 : 1 complex with ??-CD. In the presence and absence of DNA, 6MF showed different characteristics such as hyperchromic effect, red shift of absorption spectra and fluorescence quenching of 6MF due to binding between 6MF and ctDNA. The nature of the binding group was found to be different for the 6MF-ctDNA and 6MF-ctDNA-??-CD systems. An increase in fluorescence intensity was observed for the 6MF-ctDNA system while varying the concentration of ??-CD due to encapsulation of a part of 6MF in cyclodextrin. The results are compatible with the possibility of the interaction of dihydrobenzopyran-4-one moiety of 6MF with ctDNA as well as with ??-CD. Cyclic voltammetric studies confirmed the binding interaction between 6MF and ctDNA in the absence and presence of ??-CD and molecular modelling explains the site of the interaction of 6MF with cyclodextrin and ctDNA.     

Polymer entanglement loss in extensional flow: Evidence from electrospun short nanofibers

High strain rate extensional flow of a semidilute polymer solution can result in fragmentation caused by polymer entanglement loss, evidenced by appearance of short nanofibers during electrospinning. The typically desired outcome of electrospinning is long continuous fibers or beads, but, under certain material and process conditions, short nanofibers can be obtained, a morphology that has scarcely been studied. Here we study the conditions that lead to the creation of short nanofibers, and find a distinct parametric space in which they are likely to appear, requiring a combination of low entanglement of the polymer chains and high strain rate of the electrospinning jet. Measurements of the length and diameter of short nanofibers, electrospun from PMMA dissolved in a blend of CHCl₃ and DMF, confirm the theoretical prediction that the fragmentation of the jet into short fibers is brought about by elastic stretching and loss of entanglement of the polymer network. The ability to tune nanofiber length, diameter and nanostructure, by modifying variables such as the molar mass, concentration, solvent quality, electric field intensity, and flow rate, can be exploited for improving their mechanical and thermodynamic properties, leading to novel applications in engineering and life sciences. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2013 , 51, 1377–1391     

Exploring Supramolecular Self‐Assembly of Tetraarylporphyrins by Halogen Bonding: Crystal Engineering with Diversely Functionalized Six‐Coordinate Tin(L)2–Porphyrin Tectons

This study targets the construction of porphyrin assemblies directed by halogen bonds, by utilizing a series of purposely synthesized Sn(axial ligand)₂–(5,10,15,20‐tetraarylporphyrin) [Sn(L)₂‐TArP] complexes as building units. The porphyrin moiety and the axial ligands in these compounds contain different combinations of complimentary molecular recognition functions. The former bears p‐iodophenyl, p‐bromophenyl, 4′‐pyridyl, or 3′‐pyridyl substituents at the meso positions of the porphyrin ring. The latter comprises either a carboxylate or hydroxy anchor for attachment to the porphyrin‐inserted tin ion and a pyridyl‐, benzotriazole‐, or halophenyl‐type aromatic residue as the potential binding site. The various complexes were structurally analyzed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, accompanied by computational modeling evaluations. Halogen‐bonding interactions between the lateral aryl substituents of one unit of the porphyrin complex and the axial ligands of neighboring moieties was successfully expressed in several of the resulting samples. Their occurrence is affected by structural (for example, specific geometry of the six‐coordinate complexes) and electronic effects (for example, charge densities and electrostatic potentials). The shortest intermolecular I???N halogen‐bonding distance of 2.991 Å was observed between iodophenyl (porphyrin) and benzotriazole (axial ligand) moieties. Manifestation of halogen bonds in these relatively bulky compounds without further activation of the halophenyl donor groups by electron‐withdrawing substituents is particularly remarkable.     

Electron-mediating Cu(A) centers in proteins: a comparative high field (1)H ENDOR study

High field (W-band, 95 GHz) pulsed electron-nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) measurements were carried out on a number of proteins that contain the mixed-valence, binuclear electron-mediating Cu(A) center. These include nitrous oxide reductase (N(2)OR), the recombinant water-soluble fragment of subunit II of Thermus thermophilus cytochrome c oxidase (COX) ba(3) (M160T9), its M160QT0 mutant, where the weak axial methionine ligand has been replaced by a glutamine, and the engineered "purple" azurin (purpAz). The three-dimensional (3-D) structures of these proteins, apart from the mutant, are known. The EPR spectra of all samples showed the presence of a mononuclear Cu(II) impurity with EPR characteristics of a type II copper. At W-band, the g( perpendicular) features of this center and of Cu(A) are well resolved, thus allowing us to obtain a clean Cu(A) ENDOR spectrum. The latter consists of two types of ENDOR signals. The first includes the signals of the four strongly coupled cysteine beta-protons, with isotropic hyperfine couplings, A(iso), in the 7-15 MHz range. The second group consists of weakly coupled protons with a primarily anisotropic character with A(zz) < 3 MHz. Orientation selective ENDOR spectra were collected for N(2)OR, M160QT0, and purpAz, and simulations of the cysteine beta-protons signals provided their isotropic and anisotropic hyperfine interactions. A linear correlation with a negative slope was found between the maximum A(iso) value of the beta-protons and the copper hyperfine interaction. Comparison of the best-fit anisotropic hyperfine parameters with those calculated from dipolar interactions extracted from the available 3-D structures sets limit to the sulfur spin densities. Similarly, the small coupling spectral region was simulated on the basis of the 3-D structures and compared with the experimental spectra. It was found that the width of the powder patterns of the weakly coupled protons recorded at g(perpendicular) is mainly determined by the histidine H(epsilon)(1) protons. Furthermore, the splitting in the outer wings of these powder patterns indicates differences in the positions of the imidazole rings relative to the Cu(2)S(2) core. Comparison of the spectral features of the weakly coupled protons of M160QT0 with those of the other investigated proteins shows that they are very similar to those of purpAz, where the Cu(A) center is the most symmetric, but the copper spin density and the H(epsilon)(1)-Cu distances are somewhat smaller. All proteins show the presence of a proton with a significantly negative A(iso) value which is assigned to an amide proton of one of the cysteines. The simulations of both strongly and weakly coupled protons, along with the known copper hyperfine couplings, were used to estimate and compare the spin density distribution in the various Cu(A) centers. The largest sulfur spin density was found in M160T9, and the lowest was found in purpAz. In addition, using the relation between the A(iso) values of the four cysteine beta-protons and the H-C-S-S dihedral angles, the relative contribution of the hyperconjugation mechanism to A(iso) was determined. The largest contribution was found for M160T9, and the lowest was found for purpAz. Possible correlations between the spin density distribution, structural features, and electron-transfer functionality are finally suggested.     

Synthesis of the elusive (R3P)2MF2 (M = Pd, Pt) complexes

The synthesis and characterization of previously unknown palladium(II) and platinum(II) difluoro phosphine complexes are described. These complexes can be obtained either via a halide metathesis reaction with AgF in dichloromethane or by reacting the corresponding dimethyl complexes with XeF2. While the Pt(II) complexes can be prepared with both aryl- and alkyl-phosphine ligands, the stability of the Pd(II) complexes is limited to those having cis-oriented trialkyl phosphine ligands.     

Synthesis,structure, electrochemistry,and Mössbauer effect studies of (ring)Fe complexes (ring = Cp,Cp1, and C6H7). Photochemical replacement of benzene in the cyclohexadienyl complex [(η5-C6H7)Fe(η-C6H6)]+

Visible light irradiation of cation [(η⁵-C₆H₇)Fe(η-C₆H₆)]⁺ (1⁺) in acetonitrile results in substitution of the benzene ligand giving the labile acetonitrile derivative [(η⁵-C₆H₇)Fe(MeCN)₃]⁺ (2a⁺). The stable isonitrile and phosphite complexes [(η⁵-C₆H₇)FeL₃]⁺ [L = ^tBuNC (2b⁺), P(OMe)₃ (2c⁺), P(OEt)₃ (2d⁺)] were obtained by reaction of 1 with L in MeCN. The structures of 2cPF₆, [CpFe(η-C₆H₆)]PF₆ (3PF₆), and Cp¹Fe(η-C₆H₆)]PF₆ (4PF₆) were determined by X-ray diffraction.The redox activity of the cyclohexadienyl complexes 1⁺, 2b⁺?2d⁺ has been investigated by electrochemical techniques and compared with that of the related cyclopentadienyl complexes 3⁺ and 4⁺. DFT calculations of the redox potentials and the respective geometrical changes were performed.Variable temperature Mössbauer (ME) spectroscopy has elucidated the relationship between structure and formal oxidation state of the iron atom in these complexes. In the case of 3⁺ an unexpected pair of crystallographic changes has been observed and interpreted in terms of both a second and first order phase transition. The mean-square-amplitude-of-vibration of the metal atom has been compared between the ME and X-ray data. ME measurements in a magnetic field have shown that in 4⁺ the quadrupole splitting is positive as it is in ferrocene.     

Unsolvated 5,10,15,20‐tetra‐4‐pyridylporphyrin,its sesquihydrate and its 2‐chlorophenol disolvate: conformational versatility of the ligand

Unsolvated 5,10,15,20‐tetra‐4‐pyridylporphyrin, C₄₀H₂₆N₈, (I), its sesquihydrate, C₄₀H₂₆N₈·1.514H₂O, (II), and its 2‐chlorophenol disolvate, C₄₀H₂₆N₈·2C₆H₅ClO, (III), reveal different conformational features of the porphyrin core. In (I), the latter is severely deformed from planarity, apparently in order to optimize the intermolecular interactions and efficient crystal packing of the molecular entities. The molecular framework has a C₁ symmetry. In (II), the porphyrin molecules are located on symmetry axes, preserving the marked deformation from planarity of the porphyrin core. The molecular units are interlinked into a single‐framework supramolecular architecture by hydrogen bonding to one another via molecules of water, which lie on twofold rotation axes. In (III), the porphyrin molecules are located across centres of inversion and are characterized by a planar conformation of the 24‐membered macrocyclic porphyrin ring. Two trans‐related pyridyl substituents are hydrogen bonded to the 2‐chlorophenol solvent molecules. The interporphyrin organization in (III) is similar to that observed for many other tetraarylporphyrin compounds. However, the organization observed in (I) and (II) is different and of a type rarely observed before. This study reports for the first time the crystal structure of the unsolvated tetrapyridylporphyrin.     

Hydrogen bonding and π–π interactions in 1‐benzofuran‐2,3‐dicarboxylic acid and its 1:1 cocrystals with pyridine,phenazine and 1,4‐phenylenediamine

The structure of 1‐benzofuran‐2,3‐dicarboxylic acid (BFDC), C₁₀H₆O₅, (I), exhibits an intramolecular hydrogen bond between one –COOH group and the other, while the second carboxyl function is involved in intermolecular hydrogen bonding to neighbouring species. The latter results in the formation of flat one‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonded chains in the crystal structure, which are π–π stacked along the normal to the plane of the molecular framework, forming a layered structure. 1:1 Cocrystallization of BFDC with pyridine, phenazine and 1,4‐phenylenediamine is associated with H‐atom transfer from BFDC to the base and charge‐assisted hydrogen bonding between the BFDC⁻ monoanion and the corresponding ammonium species, while preserving, in all cases, the intramolecular hydrogen bond between the carboxyl and carboxylate functions. The pyridinium 2‐carboxylato‐1‐benzofuran‐3‐carboxylic acid, C₅H₆N⁺·C₁₀H₅O₅⁻, (II), and phenazinium 3‐carboxylato‐1‐benzofuran‐2‐carboxylic acid, C₁₂H₉N₂⁺·C₁₀H₅O₅⁻, (III), adducts form discrete hydrogen‐bonded ion‐pair entities. In the corresponding crystal structures, the two components are arranged in either segregated or mixed π–π stacks, respectively. On the other hand, the structure of 4‐aminoanilinium 2‐carboxylato‐1‐benzofuran‐3‐carboxylic acid, C₆H₉N₂⁺·C₁₀H₅O₅⁻, (IV), exhibits an intermolecular hydrogen‐bonding network with three‐dimensional connectivity. Moreover, this fourth structure exhibits induction of supramolecular chirality by the extended hydrogen bonding, leading to a helical arrangement of the interacting moieties around 2₁ screw axes. The significance of this study is that it presents the first crystallographic characterization of pure BFDC, and manifestation of its cocrystallization with a variety of weakly basic amine molecules. It confirms the tendency of BFDC to preserve its intramolecular hydrogen bond and to prefer a monoanionic form in supramolecular association with other components. The aromaticity of the flat benzofuran residue plays an important role in directing either homo‐ or heteromolecular π–π stacking in the first three structures, while the occurrence of a chiral architecture directed by multiple hydrogen bonding is the dominant feature in the fourth.     

Properties of the perovskites, SrMn1−xFexO3−δ (x=1/3, 1/2, 2/3)

The SrMn_1−xFe_xO_3−δ (x=1/3, 1/2, 2/3) phases have been prepared and are shown by powder X-ray and neutron (for x=1/2) diffraction to adopt an ideal cubic perovskite structure with a disordered distribution of transition-metal cations over the six-coordinate B-site. Due to synthesis in air, the phases are oxygen deficient and formally contain both Fe³⁺ and Fe⁴⁺. Magnetic susceptibility data show an antiferromagnetic transition at 180 and 140 K for x=1/3 and 1/2, respectively and a spin-glass transition at 5, 25, 45 K for x=1/3, 1/2 and 2/3, respectively. The magnetic properties are explained in terms of super-exchange interactions between Mn⁴⁺, Fe^(4+δ)+ and Fe⁽³⁺⁾⁺. The XAS results for the Mn-sites in these compounds indicate small Mn-valence changes, however, the Mn-pre-edge spectra indicate increased localization of the Mn-e_g orbitals with Fe substitution. The Mössbauer results show the distinct two-site Fe⁽³⁺⁾+/Fe^(4+δ)+ disproportionation in the Mn- substituted materials with strong covalency effects at both sites. This disproportionation is a very concrete reflection of a localization of the Fe-d states due to the Mn-substitution.     

Coordination and hydrogen‐bonding assemblies in hybrid reaction products between 5,10,15,20‐tetra‐4‐pyridylporphyrin and dysprosium trinitrate hexahydrate

Reactions of the title free‐base porphyrin compound (TPyP) with dysprosium trinitrate hexahydrate in different crystallization environments yielded two solid products, viz. [μ‐5,15‐bis(pyridin‐1‐ium‐4‐yl)‐10,20‐di‐4‐pyridylporphyrin]bis[aquatetranitratodysprosium(III)] benzene solvate, [Dy₂(NO₃)₈(C₄₀H₂₈N₈)(H₂O)₂]·C₆H₆, (I), and 5,10,15,20‐tetrakis(pyridin‐1‐ium‐4‐yl)porphyrin pentaaquadinitratodysprosate(III) pentanitrate diethanol solvate dihydrate, (C₄₀H₃₀N₈)[Dy(NO₃)₂(H₂O)₅](NO₃)₅·2C₂H₆O·2H₂O, (II). Compound (I) represents a 2:1 metal–porphyrin coordinated complex, which lies across a centre of inversion. Two trans‐related pyridyl groups are involved in Dy coordination. The two other pyridyl substituents are protonated and involved in intermolecular hydrogen bonding along with the metal‐coordinated water and nitrate ligands. Compound (II) represents an extended hydrogen‐bonded assembly between the tetrakis(pyridin‐1‐ium‐4‐yl)porphyrin tetracation, the [Dy(NO₃)₂(H₂O)₅]⁺ cation and the free nitrate ions, as well as the ethanol and water solvent molecules. This report provides the first structural characterization of the exocyclic dysprosium complex with tetrapyridylporphyrin. It also demonstrates that charge balance can be readily achieved by protonation of the peripheral pyridyl functions, which then enhances their capacity in hydrogen bonding as H‐atom donors rather than H‐atom acceptors.