Furan-oxidation-triggered inducible DNA cross-linking: acyclic versus cyclic furan-containing building blocks--on the benefit of restoring the cyclic sugar backbone

Oligodeoxynucleotides incorporating a reactive functionality can cause irreversible cross-linking to the target sequence and have been widely studied for their potential in inhibition of gene expression or development of diagnostic probes for gene analysis. Reactive oligonucleotides further show potential in a supramolecular context for the construction of nanometer-sized DNA-based objects. Inspired by the cytochrome P450 catalyzed transformation of furan into a reactive enal species, we recently introduced a furan-oxidation-based methodology for cross-linking of nucleic acids. Previous experiments using a simple acyclic building block equipped with a furan moiety for incorporation into oligodeoxynucleotides have shown that cross-linking occurs in a very fast and efficient way and that substantial amounts of stable, site-selectively cross-linked species can be isolated. Given the destabilization of duplexes observed upon introduction of the initially designed furan-modified building block into DNA duplexes, we explore here the potential benefits of two new building blocks featuring an extended aromatic system and a restored cyclic backbone. Thorough experimental analysis of cross-linking reactions in a series of contexts, combined with theoretical calculations, permit structural characterization of the formed species and allow assessment of the origin of the enhanced cross-link selectivity. Our experiments clearly show that the modular nature of the furan-modified building blocks used in the current cross-linking strategy allow for fine tuning of both yield and selectivity of the interstrand cross-linking reaction.     

Three dimensional film electrode prepared from oppositely charged carbon nanoparticles as efficient enzyme host

Three dimensional carbon film electrodes were prepared from oppositely charged carbon nanoparticles (ca. 9 to 18 nm diameter) by a layer-by-layer approach. This was done by alternative immersion of indium tin oxide plates into suspension of positively and negatively charged particles. A stable film is formed already after single immersion and withdrawal step as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. Up to ten immersion and withdrawal steps can be used to systematically increase the amount of nanoparticulate carbon material. The capacitive current density and current density of hydrogen peroxide reduction are proportional to the number of immersion and withdrawal steps. The same can be seen for adsorbed redox active 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate). After adsorption of bilirubin oxidase into the film efficient bioelectrocatalytic dioxygen reduction is observed.     

Enyne metathesis-oxidation sequence for the synthesis of 2-phosphono pyrroles: proof of the "yne-then-ene" pathway

A new tandem reaction sequence has been developed for the synthesis of 2-phosphono pyrroles. The sequence consists of ring-closing enyne metathesis of a substituted aminophosphonate, containing a terminal alkyne and an internal alkene, in combination with in situ oxidation of the produced 3-pyrrolines using tetrachloroquinone. By analyzing the formation of the end and certain byproducts, taking into account the difference in reactivity of different substrates and carefully studying spectroscopic data, it was found that the reaction proceeds by means of the "yne-then-ene" pathway. During the initiation phase, a new ruthenium carbene is formed which continues the propagation cycle.     

Expanding the Ligand Classes Used for Mn(II) Complexation: Oxa-aza Macrocycles Make the Difference

We report two macrocyclic ligands based on a 1,7-diaza-12-crown-4 platform functionalized with acetate (tO2DO2A²⁻) or piperidineacetamide (tO2DO2AM^Pip) pendant arms and a detailed characterization of the corresponding Mn(II) complexes. The X−ray structure of [Mn(tO2DO2A)(H₂O)]·2H₂O shows that the metal ion is coordinated by six donor atoms of the macrocyclic ligand and one water molecule, to result in seven-coordination. The Cu(II) analogue presents a distorted octahedral coordination environment. The protonation constants of the ligands and the stability constants of the complexes formed with Mn(II) and other biologically relevant metal ions (Mg(II), Ca(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II)) were determined using potentiometric titrations (I = 0.15 M NaCl, T = 25 °C). The conditional stabilities of Mn(II) complexes at pH 7.4 are comparable to those reported for the cyclen-based tDO2A²⁻ ligand. The dissociation of the Mn(II) chelates were investigated by evaluating the rate constants of metal exchange reactions with Cu(II) under acidic conditions (I = 0.15 M NaCl, T = 25 °C). Dissociation of the [Mn(tO2DO2A)(H₂O)] complex occurs through both proton− and metal−assisted pathways, while the [Mn(tO2DO2AM^Pip)(H₂O)] analogue dissociates through spontaneous and proton-assisted mechanisms. The Mn(II) complex of tO2DO2A²⁻ is remarkably inert with respect to its dissociation, while the amide analogue is significantly more labile. The presence of a water molecule coordinated to Mn(II) imparts relatively high relaxivities to the complexes. The parameters determining this key property were investigated using ¹⁷O NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) transverse relaxation rates and ¹H nuclear magnetic relaxation dispersion (NMRD) profiles.     

Accurate measurement of the steady-state swelling behavior of SU-8 negative photo resist

The swelling behaviour of SU-8 2000 series is investigated. This is done using on-wafer micro machined stress indicator structures. The indicator structures convert the stress in the material to a measurable displacement. When SU-8 is submersed into a solvent, the polymer matrix of the SU-8 can absorb some of the solvent molecules. As a result, the SU-8 can expand and the built in tensile stress is partially relieved. The swelling can thus be measured directly and independently of lithography parameters. For this study, the indicator structures are immersed in Propyle Glycol Methyl Ether Acetate (PGMEA), isopropyl alcohol (IPA) and water.     

New 3,4-bis(indol-1-yl)maleimides as protein kinase inhibitors

Chemistry of Heterocyclic Compounds - Several previously unknown derivatives of 3,4-bis(indol-1-yl)maleimide, as well as 3-(2,3-dihydroindol-1-yl)-4-(indol-1-yl)maleimide were synthesized as...     

Cobalt(II) and silver(I) coordination polymers constructed from flexible bis(5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole) and substituted isophthalate co-ligands

Two coordination polymers, [Co(L1)(IPA] _n (1) and {[Ag(L2)(HMIPA)]·H₂O} _n (2) (H₂IPA = isophthalic acid, L1 = 1,2-bis(5,6-dimethylbenzimidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene, H₂MIPA = 5-methylisophthalic acid, L2 = 1,6-bis(5,6-dimethylbenzimidazol-1-yl)hexane, have been synthesized and characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic methods, as well as single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In 1, six-coordinated cobalt centers are bridged by L1 and IPA^2? ligands to generate a (4,4) two-dimensional layer. However, complex 2 features a 1D chain structure, which is further extended by O–H···O hydrogen bonding interactions into a 2D supramolecular layer with (6³) topology. The fluorescence and thermal gravimetric analysis of both complexes were also explored. Furthermore, the complexes 1 and 2 exhibit remarkable catalytic properties for the degradation of methyl orange dyes in a Fenton-like process.