Preparation and Crystal Structures of 4-(4′-Pyridylthio)-1-methylpyridinium Salts: Assembly of a Donor-Acceptor-Type Molecule Containing a Sulfide Bridge

A series of ionic 4-(4′-pyridylthio)-1-methylpyridinium salts with different counteranions (1, I⁻; 2, BF⁻₄; 3, PF⁻₆; and 4, OTf⁻, where OTf=trifluoromethanesulfonate) have been prepared. Structural analysis reveals that the cation exhibits a variety of stacking structures dependent on the anion. Compound 1 crystallizes in space group P2_1/n (#14), with a=10.764(3) Å, b=9.601(5) Å, c=13.105(3) Å, β=108.35(2), V=1285.4(8) ų, and Z=4. In this compound, each cation moiety is stacked in a helical arrangement along the c-axis. Compound 2, which is isomorphous to 1, has space group P2_1/n (#14), with a=11.647(2) Å, b=9.203(3) Å, c=13.232(2) Å, β=108.42(2), V=1345.6(5) ų, and Z=4. Compound 3 crystallizes in space group P2_1/n (#14), with a=8.06(1) Å, b=17.43(1) Å, c=10.30(1) Å, β=103.0(1), V=1410(3) ų, and Z=4. In this salt, the cation molecules assume a head-to-tail stacking arrangement, forming a polar pseudo 1-D chain. Compound 4 crystallizes in space group Pb? (#2), with a=7.585(4) Å, b=15.443(7) Å, c=6.775(4) Å, α=99.33(4), β=108.35(2)^o, γ=98.37(4), V=756.6(7) ų, and Z=2. The structure of 4 consists of a columnar stacking of pyridine moieties, with the cation moieties surrounded by the counteranions. Calculations show that the 4-(4′-pyridylthio)-1-methylpyridinium cation may be a good building block for second harmonic generation (SHG) materials, even though salts 1-4 crystallized in centrosymmetric structures and were SHG inactive.     

Stereocontrolled Synthesis of Oligo(nucleoside phosphorothioate)s

Encouraging results obtained for modulation of gene expression by antisense oligonucleotides and their analogues have kindled hopes for a new generation of therapeutics against viral infections, cancer, and many other diseases. Among such analogues, oligo(nucleoside phosphorothioate)s (Oligo-S) have generally shown the highest efficacy in inhibiting the biosynthesis of “unwanted” proteins. The first clinical trials of antisense agents are now in progress using Oligo-S against genital warts and acute myeloid leukemia, and tests of Oligo-S against AIDS should follow soon. Nevertheless, their mechanism of action, internalization, cellular trafficking, subcellular localization, and interaction with cellular proteins is still poorly understood. It is assumed a priori that application involves rapid and efficient molecular recognition of target RNA by Oligo-S; however, the effects of the chirality of Oligo-S have so far been unappreciated, because Oligo-S has not yet been synthesized with stereocontrol. Indeed, the diastereomeric composition of Oligo-S has never been determined, primarily because of the lack of appropriate analytical methods. Since each of the diastereomers is a stereochemically unique chemical entity, questions arise as to which diastereomer is responsible for an observed biological response, including positive (curative) or possibly negative (toxic) side effects. In this review we intend provide a perhaps somewhat speculative assessment of the problems associated with the stereo-controlled synthesis of Oligo-S and to discuss the state-of-the-art in this field including strategies that may lead to Oligo-S of predetermined chirality. This article is not intended to discourage researchers from further studies of dia-steromeric mixtures of Oligo-S as potential pharmaceuticals. Throughout the history of medicinal chemistry numerous useful medicines were discovered, developed, and employed without the detailed knowledge of their structure. Indeed, the composition of the vaccines discovered by Pasteur is a subject of vigorous study still today.     

Crystal engineering: Supramolecular structures by cocrystallization ofMeso-1,2-diphenyl-1,2-ethanediol and bisimines,simple cases of molecular recognition

The crystal structures of molecular complexes betweenmeso- 1,2-diphenyl-1,2-ethanediol and two bisimines (N,N-(dibenzylidene)-ethylenediamine and glyoxylidene-bis(2,4-dimethyl-3-pentyl-amine) are reported at different temperatures. The structure-determining motif of the cocrystalline arrangement is one single O-H . N hydrogen bond resulting in infinite ladderlike polymers. The supramolecular structure is formed by recognition of fitting species: Thed- orl-isomers do not arrange in such structures.¹H NMR experiments show that no prearrangements take place by forming complexes in solution.     

从能源产业发展和人才需求浅谈“能源化学”新工科改造

Based on building emerging engineering education of "energy chemistry", we investigated the state key petro-chemical enterprises according to the industrial development and the demand of professional talents. The research report summarizes, analyzes and discusses the current priority development fields of industry, the talent training status, curriculum structure and education program of the chemistry and chemical engineering in universities. The ideas on emerging engineering education of "energy chemistry" have been proposed, and it will be beneficial to building a novel education program for talents training, which integrates the principle of chemistry, energy conversion and information science, etc.     

The nature of intermolecular CuI...CuI interactions: a combined theoretical and structural database analysis

The nature of intermolecular interactions between dicoordinate Cu(I) ions is analyzed by means of combined theoretical and structural database studies. Energetically stable Cu(I).Cu(I) interactions are only found when the two monomers involved in the interaction are neutral or carry opposite charges, thus allowing us to speak of bonding between the components of the bimolecular aggregate. A perturbative evaluation of the components of the intermolecular interaction energies, by means the IMPT scheme of Stone, indicates that both the Coulombic and dispersion forces are important in determining the Cu(I).Cu(I) bonding interactions, because only a small part of that energy is attributable to Cu.Cu interactions, while a large component results from Cu.ligand interactions. The electrostatic component is the dominant one by far in the interaction between charged monomers, while in the interaction between neutral complexes, the electrostatic component is found to be of the same order of magnitude as the dispersion term. Bimolecular aggregates that have like charges are repulsive by themselves, and their presence in the solid state results from anion.cation interactions with ions external to this aggregate. In these cases, the short-contact Cu.Cu interactions here should be more properly called counterion-mediated Cu.Cu bonds.     

Microrobotics and MEMS-based fabrication techniques for scaffold-based tissue engineering

Scaffold based tissue engineering strategies use cells, biomolecules and a scaffold to promote the repair and regeneration of tissues. Although scaffold-based tissue engineering approaches are being actively developed, most are still experimental, and it is not yet clear what defines an ideal scaffold/cell construct. Solid free form fabrication (SFF) techniques can precisely control matrix architecture (size, shape, interconnectivity, branching, geometry and orientation). The SFF methods enable the fabrication of scaffolds with various designs and material compositions, thus providing a control of mechanical properties, biological effects and degradation kinetics. This paper reviews the application of micro-robotics and MEMS-based fabrication techniques for scaffold design and fabrication. It also presents a novel robotic technique to fabricate scaffold/cell constructs for tissue engineering by the assembly of microscopic building blocks.     

加拿大一枝黄花的研究及应用现状

加拿大一枝黄花(Solidago Canadensis L.),是原产于北美的一种菊科多年生草本植物,20世纪30年代开始进入我国,现在这种植物已成为我国大部分境内迅速扩散传播的恶性杂草。目前,国内外的很多研究者已经利用各种方法从加拿大一枝黄花中提取出了倍半萜烯类、氨基酸、醇类等化学物质,对其生物性能进行了研究,并且对于控制这种植物的生长提出了各种解决方案。同时,加拿大一枝黄花已经在提炼精油、医学制药等方面得到广泛的应用。     

基于电化学传感器检测赭曲霉毒素A的研究进展

赭曲霉毒素A(Ochratoxin A,OTA)是一种由赭曲霉、青霉菌等真菌产生的次级代谢产物,在自然界分布广泛,具有肝毒性、肾毒性、致癌、致突变作用.鉴于其危害的严重性和污染的广泛性,发展高灵敏度的OTA检测技术引起了研究者的广泛关注.该文阐述了近年来新型电化学传感技术在OTA检测方面的发展及应用,全面综述了目前OT...     

著名物理学家约翰·巴丁及其两次中国之行

介绍著名物理学家巴丁两次获诺贝尔物理学奖的科学探索历程;回顾了巴丁对中国的两次访问和对中国科技、教育发展的关注与支持;从巴丁的科学精神和他善于发挥个人智慧与科学团队的集体创造力中汲取有益的启示与思考.