THE EFFECT OF ALA AND RADIATION ON PORPHYRIN/HEME BIOSYNTHESIS IN ENDOTHELIAL CELLS

To study porphyrin biosynthesis in human microvascular endothelial cells, HMEC-1 cells, a transformed human microvascular endothelial cell line, were incubated with 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), the precursor of endogenous porphyrins, and porphyrin accumulation was measured spectro-fluorometrically. The HMEC-1 cells accumulated porphyrin in a concentration-related and a time-dependent fashion. Protoporphyrin was the predominant porphyrin accumulated in the cells. The effect of light on protoporphyrin accumulation was evaluated by exposing the ALA-loaded HMEC-1 cells to ultraviolet-A (UVA) and blue light, followed by another incubation with ALA for 2–24 h. Enhancement of protoporphyrin accumulation in irradiated HMEC-1 cells was observed 2–24 h after irradiation, which was associated with a decrease in ferrochelatase protein and activity. Porphyrin accumulation from ALA after irradiation was significantly decreased when catalase (750–3000 U/mL, 29.3–44.3% suppression) or superoxide dismutase (270 U/mL, 36.4% suppression) was present during irradiation. These data demonstrate that HMEC-1 cells were capable of porphyrin biosynthesis, and that exposure of protoporphyrin-containing HMEC-1 cells to UVA and blue light, which includes the Soret band spectrum, decreased the ferrochelatase activity and its protein. These changes were mediated, at least in part, by reactive oxygen species.     

Synthesis,Redox Properties,and Electronic Spectra of Sterically Crowded Triarylphosphines Conjugated with Electron Acceptors

Abstract

Synthesis, redox properties, and electronic spectra of the sterically crowded triarylphosphines conjugated with π-electron systems, especially electron acceptors such as carbonyl group, are briefly reviewed. The sterically crowded triarylphosphines conjugated with various π-electron systems were synthesized from the common synthetic intermediate, (bromoaryl)phosphine, by conventional manner. The sterically crowded triarylphosphines conjugated with the electron acceptors exhibit visible absorption and fluorescence with large Stokes shift. Large solvent effect, redshift in polar solvent, and good correlation with the difference of the oxidation potential of the phosphine moiety and the reduction potential of the acceptor moiety suggest polar excited state resulting from HOMO-LUMO transition.     

Hydrogen bonding in macrocyclic receptor systems

Abstract

The interactions of macrocyclic polyethers with alkali and alkaline earth cations have been well studied and much about their chemistry is now well understood. Less well examined or comprehended are hydrogen bond interactions. A combination of ion selective electrode binding constant determination techniques and fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry are brought to bear on this problem. It is found that all-oxygen crown ethers and their derivatives exhibit quite different complexation behaviour with ammonium salts than do their various azacrown counterparts.     

Reversible and irreversible higher-order cycloaddition reactions of polyolefins with a multiple-bonded heavier group 13 alkene analogue: contrasting the behavior of systems with π-π, π-π*, and π-n+ frontier molecular orbital symmetry

The heavier group 13 element alkene analogue, digallene Ar(iPr(4))GaGaAr(iPr(4)) (1) [Ar(iPr(4)) = C(6)H(3)-2,6-(C(6)H(3)-2,6-(i)Pr(2))(2)], has been shown to react readily in [n + 2] (n = 6, 4, 2 + 2) cycloaddition reactions with norbornadiene and quadricyclane, 1,3,5,7-cyclooctatetraene, 1,3-cyclopentadiene, and 1,3,5-cycloheptatriene to afford the heavier element deltacyclane species Ar(iPr(4))Ga(C(7)H(8))GaAr(iPr(4)) (2), pseudoinverse sandwiches Ar(iPr(4))Ga(C(8)H(8))GaAr(iPr(4)) (3, 3(iso)), and polycyclic compounds Ar(iPr(4))Ga(C(5)H(6))GaAr(iPr(4)) (4) and Ar(iPr(4))Ga(C(7)H(8))GaAr(iPr(4)) (5, 5(iso)), respectively, under ambient conditions. These reactions are facile and may be contrasted with other all-carbon versions, which require transition-metal catalysis or forcing conditions (temperature, pressure), or with the reactions of the corresponding heavier group 14 species Ar(iPr(4))EEAr(iPr(4)) (E = Ge, Sn), which give very different product structures. We discuss several mechanistic possibilities, including radical- and non-radical-mediated cyclization pathways. These mechanisms are consistent with the improved energetic accessibility of the LUMO of the heavier group 13 element multiple bond in comparison with that of a simple alkene or alkyne. We show that the calculated frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs) of Ar(iPr(4))GaGaAr(iPr(4)) are of π-π symmetry, allowing this molecule to engage in a wider range of reactions than permitted by the usual π-π* FMOs of C-C π bonds or the π-n(+) FMOs of heavier group 14 alkyne analogues.     

Facile synthesis of biphenyl-fused BODIPY and its property

A biphenyl-fused BODIPY was synthesized through a facile oxidative cyclization of peripheral aryl-substituents at the β-position of the BODIPY unit. The extended π-system of the fused BODIPY induces near-infrared (NIR) absorption and strong π-π interactions in the solid state. These features are beneficial for the application of the dye as a functional material. The biphenyl-fused BODIPY dye was demonstrated to exhibit photocurrent conversion ability on the basis of its n-type semiconducting property.     

The first halogen-substituted cyclotrigermenes: a unique halogen walk over the three-membered ring skeleton and facial stereoselectivity in the Diels-Alder reaction

Dark red crystals of the halogen-substituted cyclotrigermenes [(tBu3Si)3Ge3X; X = Cl, Br, I] were obtained in good yields by the reaction of [(tBu3Si)3Ge3]+.TTFPB- (TTFPB- = tetrakis(2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl)borate) with potassium halides (KCl, KBr, or KI) in diethyl ether. The crystal structures of the halogen-substituted cyclotrigermenes reveal a cis-bent Ge=Ge double bond, caused by the introduction of the electronegative halogen atom on the sp3 germanium atom of cyclotrigermene. In solution, an intramolecular halogen migration over the three-membered ring skeleton was observed. Facial stereoselectivity in the Diels-Alder reaction of new cyclotrigermenes with 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene is also reported.     

Designed self-assembly of molecular necklaces

This paper reports an efficient strategy to synthesize molecular necklaces, in which a number of small rings are threaded onto a large ring, utilizing the principles of self-assembly and coordination chemistry. Our strategy involves (1) threading a molecular "bead" with a short "string" to make a pseudorotaxane and then (2) linking the pseudorotaxanes with a metal complex with two cis labile ligands acting as an "angle connector" to form a cyclic product (molecular necklace). A 4- or 3-pyridylmethyl group is attached to each end of 1,4-diaminobutane or 1,5-diaminopentane to produce the short "strings" (C4N4(2+), C4N3(2+), C5N4(2+), and C5N3(2+)), which then react with a cucurbituril (CB) "bead" to form stable pseudorotaxanes (PR44(2+), PR43(2+), PR54(2+), and PR53(2+), respectively). The reaction of the pseudorotaxanes with Pt(en)(NO(3))(2) (en = ethylenediamine) produces a molecular necklace [4]MN, in which three molecular "beads" are threaded on a triangular framework, and/or a molecular necklace [5]MN, in which four molecular "beads" are threaded on a square framework. Under refluxing conditions, the reaction with PR44(2+) or PR54(2+) yields exclusively [4]MN (MN44T or MN54T, respectively), whereas that with PR43(2+) or PR53(2+) produces exclusively [5]MN (MN43S or MN53S, respectively). The products have been characterized by various methods including X-ray crystallography. At lower temperatures, on the other hand, the reaction with PR44(2+) or PR54(2+) affords both [4]MN and [5]MN. The supermolecules reported here are the first series of molecular necklaces obtained as thermodynamic products. The overall structures of the molecular necklaces are strongly influenced by the structures of pseudorotaxane building blocks, which is discussed in detail on the basis of the X-ray crystal structures. The temperature dependence of the product distribution observed in this self-assembly process is also discussed.     

Formation of 3-Hydroxyalkyl Carbamates from Carbon Dioxide,Amines and Oxetanes

The reactions of carbon dioxide, primary or secondary aliphatic amines and oxetanes at a CO₂ pressure of 40 atm at 100–120°C without any catalysts afforded new monocarbamates of 1,3-propanediols, with concomitant formation of amino alcohols from oxetanes and amines.