Thermal behaviour of some novel antimicrobials based on complexes with a Schiff base bearing 1,2,4-triazole pharmacophore

A series of complexes of type [ML(CH₃COO)(OH₂)₂] (M: Co, Ni; HL: 2-[(E)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-3-ylimino)methyl]phenol)) and [M₂L₂(CH₃COO)₂(OH₂)_n] (M: Cu, n = 2; M: Zn, n = 0) were synthesised by template condensation. The compounds were characterised with microanalytical, ESI–MS, IR, electronic, EPR spectra and magnetic data at room temperature. Based on the IR and ESI–MS spectra, a dinuclear structure with the acetate as bridge was proposed for Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes. The dinuclear structure of Cu(II) complex is also consistent with both magnetic behaviour and EPR spectrum. The thermal analyses have evidenced processes as water elimination, acetate decomposition, as well as oxidative degradation of the Schiff base. The final decomposition product was the most stable metal oxide as indicated by powder X-ray diffraction. The cobalt and copper compounds exhibited a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity towards both planktonic and biofilm-embedded cells. The complexes exhibit a low cytotoxicity except for Cu(II) species that induces the early apoptosis for the HEp 2 cells.     

Chiral Modification of Platinum by Co‐Adsorbed Cinchonidine and Trifluoroacetic Acid: Origin of Enhanced Stereocontrol in the Hydrogenation of Trifluoroacetophenone

Cinchonidine (CD) adsorbed onto a platinum metal catalyst leads to rate acceleration and induces strong stereocontrol in the asymmetric hydrogenation of trifluoroacetophenone. Addition of catalytic amounts of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) significantly enhances the enantiomeric excess from 50 to 92 %. The origin of the enantioselectivity bestowed by co‐adsorbed CD and TFA is investigated by using in situ attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy and modulation excitation spectroscopy. Molecular interactions between the chiral modifier (CD), acid additive (TFA) and the trifluoro‐activated substrate at the solid–liquid interface are elucidated under conditions relevant to catalytic hydrogenations, that is, on a technical Pt/Al₂O₃ catalyst in the presence of H₂ and solvent. Monitoring of the unmodified and modified surface during the hydrogenation provides an insight into the phenomenon of rate enhancement and the crucial interactions of CD with the ketone, corresponding product alcohol, and TFA. Comparison of the diastereomeric interactions occurring on the modified surface and in the liquid solution shows a striking difference for the chiral preferences of CD. The spectroscopic data, in combination with calculations of molecular structures and energies, sheds light on the reaction mechanism of the heterogeneous asymmetric hydrogenation of trifluoromethyl ketones and the involvement of TFA in the diastereomeric intermediate surface complex: the quinuclidine N atom of the adsorbed CD forms an N?H?O‐type hydrogen‐bonding interaction not only with the trifluoro‐activated ketone but also with the corresponding alcohol and the acid additive. Strong evidence is provided that it is a monodentate acid/base adduct in which the carboxylate of TFA resides at the quinuclidine N‐atom of CD, which imparts a better stereochemical control.     

Synthesis of a Natural Product‐Like Compound Collection through Oxidative Cleavage and Cyclization of Linear Peptides

Massive efforts in molecular library synthesis have strived for the development of synthesis methodology which systematically delivers natural product‐like compounds of high spatial complexity. Herein, we present a conceptually simple approach that builds on the power of solid‐phase peptide synthesis to assemble precursor peptides (oligomers) designed to undergo oxidative cascade reactions. By harnessing the structural side‐chain diversity and inherent stereochemical features offered by readily available amino acids (monomers), a proof‐of‐concept collection of 54 skeletally and stereochemically diverse compounds was generated, and selected compounds were elaborated into isoform‐selective metalloprotease inhibitors.     

Nickel‐Catalyzed C?H Alkylations: Direct Secondary Alkylations and Trifluoroethylations of Arenes

A versatile nickel catalyst allowed for C H alkylations of unactivated arenes with challenging secondary alkyl bromides and chlorides. The high catalytic efficacy also set the stage for direct secondary alkylations of indoles as well as C H trifluoroethylations with ample substrate scope.     

RuII and RuIII Chloronitrile Complexes: Synthesis,Reaction Chemistry,Solid State Structure,and (Spectro)Electrochemical Behavior

The synthesis of [Ti₆O₄(OiPr)₈(O₂CPh)₈] ( 3 ) and [RuCl(N≡CR)₅][RuCl₄(N≡CR)₂] ( 4a , R = Me; 4b , R = Ph), [Ru(N≡CPh)₆][RuCl₄(N≡CPh)₂] ( 5 ) and [H₃O][RuCl₄(N≡CMe)₂] ( 7a ) is discussed. Crystallization of 5 from CH₂Cl₂ gave trans-[RuCl₂(N≡CPh)₄] ( 6 ). The solid-state structures of 3 , 4a , b , 5 , 6 and 7a are reported. Complex 4b forms a 3D network, while 6 displays a 2D structure, due to π-interactions between the benzonitrile ligands. The (spectro)electrochemical behavior of 4a , b and 6 was studied at 25 and –72 °C and the results thereof are compared with [NEt₄][RuCl₄(N≡CMe)₂] ( 7b ) and [RuCl(N≡CPh)₅][PF₆] ( 8 ). The electrochemical response of the cation and the anion in 4a , b are independent from each other. [RuCl(N≡CR)₅]⁺ possesses one reversible Ru^II/Ru^III process. However, [RuCl₄(N≡CMe)₂]^– was shown to be prone to ligand exchange and disproportionation upon formation of either a Ru^IV and Ru^II species at 25 °C, while at –72 °C the rapid conversion of the electrochemically formed species is hindered. In situ IR and UV/Vis/NIR studies confirmed the respective disproportionation reaction products of the aforementioned oxidation and reduction, respectively.     

The Diversity of a Polyclonal FluCell-SELEX Library Outperforms Individual Aptamers as Emerging Diagnostic Tools for the Identification of Carbapenem Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Textbook procedures require the use of individual aptamers enriched in SELEX libraries which are subsequently chemically synthesized after their biochemical characterization. Here we show that this reduction of the available sequence space of large libraries and thus the diversity of binding molecules reduces the labelling efficiency and fidelity of selected single aptamers towards different strains of the human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa compared to a polyclonal aptamer library enriched by a whole-cell-SELEX involving fluorescent aptamers. The library outperformed single aptamers in reliable and specific targeting of different clinically relevant strains, allowed to inhibit virulence associated cellular functions and identification of bound cell surface targets by aptamer based affinity purification and mass spectrometry. The stunning ease of this FluCell-SELEX and the convincing performance of the P. aeruginosa specific library may pave the way towards generally new and efficient diagnostic techniques based on polyclonal aptamer libraries not only in clinical microbiology.     

A Phosphine Functionalized β-Diketimine Ligand for the Synthesis of Manifold Metal Complexes

A bis(diphenyl)-phosphine functionalized β-diketimine (PNac-H) was synthesized as a flexible ligand for transition metal complexes. The newly designed ligand features symmetrically placed phosphine moieties around a β-diketimine unit, forming a PNNP-type pocket. Due to the hard and soft donor atoms (N vs. P) the ligand can stabilize various coordination polyhedra. A complete series ranging from coordination numbers 2 to 6 was realized. Linear, trigonal planar, square planar, tetrahedral, square pyramidal, and octahedral coordination arrangements containing the PNac-ligand around the metal center were observed by using suitable metal sources. Hereby, PNac-H or its anion PNac⁻ acts as mono-, bi- and tetradendate ligand. Such a broad flexibility is unusual for a rigid tetradentate system. The structural motifs were realized by treatment of PNac-H with a series of late transition metal precursors, for example, silver, gold, nickel, copper, platinum, and rhodium. The new complexes have been fully characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, NMR, IR, UV/Vis spectroscopy, mass spectrometry as well as elemental analysis. Additionally, selected complexes were investigated regarding their photophysical properties. Thus, PNac-H proved to be an ideal ligand platform for the selective coordination and stabilization of various metal ions in diverse polyhedra and oxidation states.     

A Fluorescence-Based Assay System for the Determination of Haloperoxidase-Activity Using a Two-Dimensional Calibration Ap-proach

Screening for an interesting biocatalyst and its subsequent kinetic characterization depends on a reliable activity assay. In this work, a fluorometric assay based on the halogenation of 4-methyl-7-diethylamino-coumarin was established to monitor haloperoxidase-activity. Since haloperoxidases utilize hydrogen peroxide and halide ions to halogenate a broad range of substrates by releasing hypohalous acids, a direct quantification of haloperoxidase-activity remains difficult. With the system presented here, 3-bromo-4-methyl-7-diethylaminocoumarin is preferentially formed and monitored by fluorescence measurements. As starting material and product share similar spectroscopical properties, a two-dimensional calibration ap-proach was utilized to allow for quantification of each compound within a single measurement. To validate the system, the two-dimensional Michaelis-Menten kinetics of a vanadium-dependent chloroperoxidase from Curvularia inaequalis were recorded, yielding the first overall kinetic parameters for this enzyme. With limits of detection and quantification in the low μm range, this assay may provide a reliable alternative system for the quantification of haloperoxidase-activity.