Polymerization and characterization of nitrile-terminated diacetylene materials

A family of nitrile-terminated diacetylene materials were synthesized. Samples were prepared in various forms and polymerization was performed photochemically and thermally. The resulting materials exhibited low molecular weights and were obtained in low yields. Although the diacetylene group had oligomerized, no evidence was found in support of ? C?N? chain formation. Thermochromism was exhibited by the irradiated 8-nitrile sample and a molecular interpretation of this chromic transition was discussed. Diffraction data implied that strong intermolecular interactions were present between adjacent nitrile groups in the low temperature phase. It is suggested that stresses are built up during polymerization which cause the low degree of polymerization and yield.     

Structural and spectroscopic study of reactions between chelating zinc-binding groups and mimics of the matrix metalloproteinase and disintegrin metalloprotease catalytic sites: the coordination chemistry of metalloprotease inhibition

To understand the coordination chemistry of zinc-binding groups (ZBGs) with catalytic zinc centers in matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and disintegrin metalloproteases (ADAMs), we have undertaken a model compound study centered around tris(3,5-methylphenypyrazolyl)hydroboratozinc(II) hydroxide and aqua complexes ([Tp(Ph,Me)ZnOH] and [Tp(Ph,Me)Zn(OH2)]+, respectively, wherein (Tp(Ph,Me))- = hydrotris(3,5-methylphenylpyrazolyl)borate) and the products of their reactions with a class of chelating Schiff's base ligands. The results show that the protic ligands, HL (HL = N-propyl-1-(5-methyl-2-imidazolyl)methanimine (5-Me-4-ImHPr), N-propyl-1-(4-imidazolyl)methanimine (4-ImHPr), and N-propyl-1-(2-imidazolyl)methanimine (2-ImHPr)), react with [Tp(Ph,Me)ZnOH] and give products with the general formula [Tp(Ph,Me)ZnL], whereas reactions with neutral aprotic ligands, L' (L' = N-propyl-1-(1-methyl-2-imidazolyl)methanimine (1-Me-2-ImPr) and N-propyl-1-(2-thiazolyl)methanimine (2-TaPr)), yield the corresponding [Tp(Ph,Me)ZnL]+ complexes. Although the phenol group of N-propyl-1-(2-hydroxyphenyl)methanimine (2-HOPhPr) is protic, this ligand forms a cationic four-coordinate complex containing an intraligand hydrogen bond. The solid-state structures of these complexes were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and the results showed that the protic ligands form five-membered chelates of the Zn2+ ion. All ligands displace the aqua ligand in [Tp(Ph,Me)Zn(OH2)]+ to yield complexes having 1H NMR spectra consistent with the formation of five membered chelates. The 1H resonance frequencies of the chelating ligands typically shift upfield upon coordination to the zinc center, due to ring current effects from the pendant phenyl groups of the (Tp(Ph,Me))- ligand. Thus, the 1H NMR spectra provide a convenient and sensitive means of tracking the solution reactions by titration. The resulting series of spectra showed that the stabilities of the chelates in solution depend on the propensity of the ligands to deprotonate upon chelation of the zinc center. The behaviors of these bidentate ZBGs provide insight into the structural and electronic factors that contribute to the stabilities of inhibited MMPs and ADAMs and suggest that the proton acidity of the coordinated ZBG may be a crucial criterion for inhibitor design.     

Using model complexes to augment and advance metalloproteinase inhibitor design

The tetrahedral zinc complex [(Tp(Ph,Me))ZnOH] (Tp(Ph,Me) = hydrotris(3,5-phenylmethylpyrazolyl)borate) was combined with 2-thenylmercaptan, ethyl 4,4,4-trifluoroacetoacetate, salicylic acid, salicylamide, thiosalicylic acid, thiosalicylamide, methyl salicylate, methyl thiosalicyliate, and 2-hydroxyacetophenone to form the corresponding [(Tp(Ph,Me))Zn(ZBG)] complexes (ZBG = zinc-binding group). X-ray crystal structures of these complexes were obtained to determine the mode of binding for each ZBG, several of which had been previously studied with SAR by NMR (structure-activity relationship by nuclear magnetic resonance) as potential ligands for use in matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors. The [(Tp(Ph,Me))Zn(ZBG)] complexes show that hydrogen bonding and donor atom acidity have a pronounced effect on the mode of binding for this series of ligands. The results of these studies give valuable insight into how ligand protonation state and intramolecular hydrogen bonds can influence the coordination mode of metal-binding proteinase inhibitors. The findings here suggest that model-based approaches can be used to augment drug discovery methods applied to metalloproteins and can aid second-generation drug design.     

Helical coordination polymers and cyclic dimers formed from heteroleptic thioether-dipyrrinato copper(II) complexes

Heteroleptic copper complexes containing an acetylacetonato ligand and a thioether derivatized dipyrrinato ligand are shown to form oligomers and polymers in the solid state.     

Determination of higher molecular weight aliphatic aldehydes and ketones

The visible absorption spectra have been measured for the reaction products formed by aldehydes and ketones with p-nitrobenzenediazonium fluoborate in a phosphoric acid-2-methoxyethanol solvent medium. The absorption maxima for the reaction products of higher molecular weight aldehydes and ketones are much more intense than those formed by formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and acetone. This intensity effect has been used to analyze for propionaldehyde in mixtures also containing formaldehyde, acetaldehyde or acetone. The nature of the reaction products are considered.     

Influence of NaCl on the behavior of PEO-PPO-PEO triblock copolymers in solution, at interfaces, and in asymmetric liquid films

The solution behavior of the polymeric surfactant Pluronic F127 (PEO(99)PPO(65)PEO(99)) and its adsorption behavior on aqueous-silica and aqueous-air interfaces, as well as the disjoining pressure isotherms of asymmetric films (silica/aqueous film/air) containing F127, are studied. The interfacial properties of adsorbed F127 layers (the adsorbed amount Gamma and the thickness h) as well as the aqueous wetting film properties [film thickness (h) and refractive indexes] were studied via ellipsometry. The solution properties of F127 were investigated using surface tensiometry and light scattering. The interactions between the air-water and silica-water interfaces were measured with a thin film pressure balance technique (TFB) and interpreted in terms of disjoining pressure as a function of the film thickness. The relations between the behaviors of the asymmetric films, adsorption at aqueous air, and aqueous silica interfaces and the solution behavior of the polymeric surfactant are discussed. Special attention is paid to the influence of the concentrations of F127 and NaCl. Addition of electrolyte lowers the critical micelle concentration, diminishes adsorption on silica, and increases the thickness of the asymmetric film.     

A study of the thermal and light induced spin transition in [FeL2](BF4)2 and [FeL2](ClO4)2 L=2,6-di(3-methylpyrazol-1-yl)pyrazine

The spin crossover compounds [FeL2](BF4)2, L=2,6-di(3-methylpyrazol-1-yl)pyrazine and [FeL2](ClO4)2 have very unusual two stage spin transitions which are initially steep and then become more gradual. A detailed variable temperature single crystal X-ray diffraction study has shown that the course of the spin transition is controlled by an order-disorder transition in the counter anions. The high and low spin states both crystallise in the tetragonal space group I4, the structures of the high and low spin states are presented at 290 and 30 K, respectively. The title compounds are shown to undergo LIESST (Light Induced Excited Spin State Trapping) under irradiation with either red or green laser light with wavelengths of 632.8 and 532.06 nm, respectively, at 30 K. The cell parameters for the tetragonal photo-induced metastable high spin state at this temperature are a= 9.169(6), c= 17.77(1) A for [FeL2](ClO4)2 with an increase in unit cell volume of 21 A3, and a= 9.11(1), c= 17.75(2) A and an increase in volume of 42.8 A3 for [FeL2](BF4)2.     

A microchip-based proteolytic digestion system driven by electroosmotic pumping

Microchip-based proteomic analysis requires proteolytic digestion of proteins in microdevices. Enzyme reactors in microdevices, fabricated in glass, silicon, and PDMS substrates, have recently been demonstrated for model protein digestions. The common approach used for these enzyme reactors is employment of a syringe pump(s) to generate hydrodynamic flow, driving the proteins through the reactors. Here we present a novel approach, using electroosmotic flow (EOF) to electrokinetically pump proteins through a proteolytic system. The existence of EOF in the proteolytic system packed with immobilized trypsin gel beads was proven by imaging the movement of a neutral fluorescent marker. Digestions of proteins were subsequently carried out for 12 min, and the tryptic peptides were analyzed independently using capillary electrophoresis (CE) and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (MS). The results from CE analysis of the tryptic peptides from the EOF-driven proteolytic system and a conventional water bath digestion were comparable. MALDI-TOF MS was used to identify the parent protein and the tryptic peptides using MS-Fit database searching. The potential utility of the EOF-driven proteolytic system was demonstrated by direct electro-elution of proteins from an acrylamide gel into the proteolytic system, with elution and tryptic digestion achieved in a single step. The EOF-driven proteolytic system, thus, provides a simple way to integrate protein digestion into an electrophoretic micro total analysis system for protein analysis and characterization.     

Resolution of four k-region arene imines and mutagenicity of the optically pure aziridines

Racemic K-region imines of benz[a]anthracene, 7-methylbenz[a]anthracene, chrysene and benzo[a]pyrene ( 1–4 , respectively) have been resolved by high performance liquid chromatography on a column packed with amylose tris(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) on silica gel. The absolute configuration of the resolved aziridines was assigned by comparison of their circular dichromism spectra to those of the corresponding enantiomerically pure arene oxides. The mutagenicity of the enantiomers of the arene imines was investigated using Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100. Although all arene imines investigated were potent mutagens, quantitative and qualitative differences in the mutagenic activity were observed between enantiomers.