1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium p-toluenesulfinate: a novel reagent for synthesis of sulfones and β-ketosulfones in ionic liquid

A novel task-specific ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium p-toluenesulfinate, [bmim][p-TolSO₂] has been synthesized and used as a nucleophile for the reaction with alkyl bromides and phenacyl bromides to prepare sulfones and β-ketosulfones in excellent yields (80-93%) in [bmim][BF₄] ionic liquid. The isolated yields of sulfones and β-ketosulfones were higher in [bmim][BF₄] than other organic solvents at room temperature.     

Probing for the Threshold Energy for Visual Transduction: Red-Shifted Visual Pigment Analogs from 3-Methoxy-3-Dehydroretinal and Related Compounds

While azulenic retinal analogs failed to yield a red-shifted visual pigment analog, the 9-cis isomers of the push-pull polyenals 3-methoxy-3-dehydroretinal and 14F-3-methoxy-3-dehydroretinal yielded iodopsin pigment analogs with absorption maxima at, respectively, 663 and 720 nm. The former gave a relatively stable batho product (700 nm) and was able to activate transducin. A lower activity was observed for the latter. One possible explanation for the combined results is that the excitation energies of these red-shifted pigments are approaching the threshold energy for visual transduction (although at this time we cannot rigorously exclude a role of the added F-atom in reducing the transducin activity).     

Carbonyl groups as molecular valves to regulate chloride binding to squaramides

Environment-sensitive binding of anions to synthetic receptors is important for the functional mimicry of ion channels. We describe new squaramide-based chloride ion receptors whose anion binding cavity can be opened and closed by using carbonyl groups as valves. In nonpolar solvents, the carbonyls preclude chloride binding via intramolecular hydrogen bonding with the squaramide NHs. In polar solvents, disruption of the intramolecular hydrogen bonds reorients the carbonyl groups and opens the anion-binding cavity.