Unprecedented head-to-head conformers of d(GpG) bound to the antitumor active compound tetrakis (mu-carboxylato)dirhodium(II,II)

The N7/O6 equatorial binding interactions of the antitumor active complex Rh(2)(OAc)(4)(H(2)O)(2) (OAc(-) = CH(3)CO(2)(-)) with the DNA fragment d(GpG) have been unambiguously determined by NMR spectroscopy. Previous X-ray crystallographic determinations of the head-to-head (HH) and head-to-tail (HT) adducts of dirhodium tetraacetate with 9-ethylguanine (9-EtGH) revealed unprecedented bridging N7/O6 guanine nucleobases that span the Rh-Rh bond. The absence of N7 protonation at low pH and the notable increase in the acidity of N1-H (pK(a) approximately 5.7 as compared to 8.5 for N7 only bound platinum adducts), suggested by the pH dependence titrations of the purine H8 (1)H NMR resonances for Rh(2)(OAc)(2)(9-EtG)(2) and Rh(2)(OAc)(2-)[d(GpG)],are consistent with bidentate N7/O6 binding of the guanine nucleobases. The pK(a) values estimated for N1-H (de)protonation, from the pH dependence studies of the C6 and C2 (13)C NMR resonances for the Rh(2)(OAc)(2)(9-EtG)(2) isomers, concur with those derived from the H8 (1)H NMR resonance titrations. Comparison of the (13)C NMR resonances of C6 and C2 for the dirhodium adducts Rh(2)(OAc)(2)(9-EtG)(2) and Rh(2)(OAc)(2)[d(GpG)] with the corresponding resonances of the unbound ligands [at pH 7.0 for 9-EtGH and pH 8.0 for d(GpG)], shows substantial downfield shifts of Deltadelta approximately 11.0 and 6.0 ppm for C6 and C2, respectively; the latter shifts reflect the effect of O6 binding to the dirhodium centers and the ensuing enhancement in the acidity of N1-H. Intense H8/H8 ROE cross-peaks in the 2D ROESY NMR spectrum of Rh(2)(OAc)(2)[d(GpG)] indicate head-to-head arrangement of the guanine bases. The Rh(2)(OAc)(2)[d(GpG)] adduct exhibits two major right-handed conformers, HH1 R and HH2 R, with HH1 R being three times more abundant than the unusual HH2 R. Complete characterization of both adducts revealed repuckering of the 5'-G sugar rings to C3'-endo (N-type), retention of C2'-endo (S-type) conformation for the 3'-G sugar rings, and anti orientation with respect to the glycosyl bonds. The structural features obtained for Rh(2)(OAc)(2))[d(GpG)] by means of NMR spectroscopy are very similar to those for cis-[Pt(NH(3))(2))[d(GpG)]] and corroborate molecular modeling studies.     

Runaway Electron Measurements in the EAST Tokamak

An experimental study of runaway electrons in the EAST tokamak has been performed by a recently developed multi‐channel hard x‐ray diagnostics based on NaI(TL) scintillator detectors. It is found that in the current quench phase, the inductive loop voltage plays an important role in the generation of runaway electrons. And the avalanche mechanism was the main mechanism for runaway electrons after the disruptions. The distribution and transportation of runaway electrons were also investigated by multi‐channel hard x‐ray diagnostics. It is also found that the intensity of runaway electrons emission in the core plasma was much higher than those in the downside of the cross‐section, while the emission intensity of runaway electrons in the core plasma was almost the same. Calculated shrinking coefficient of runaway electrons emission after the plasma disruption was about 26 m/s according to the experimental data (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Head-to-head right-handed cross-links of the antitumor-active bis(mu-N,N'-di-p-tolylformamidinato)dirhodium(II,II) unit with the dinucleotides d(GpA) and d(ApG)

Reactions of cis-[Rh(2)(DTolF)(2)(NCCH(3))(6)](BF(4))(2) with the dinucleotides d(GpA) and d(ApG) proceed to form [Rh(2)(DTolF)(2){d(GpA)}] and [Rh(2)(DTolF)(2){d(ApG)}], respectively, with bridging purine bases spanning the Rh-Rh unit in the equatorial positions. Both dirhodium adducts exhibit head-to-head (HH) arrangement of the bases, as indicated by the presence of H8/H8 NOE cross-peaks in the 2D ROESY NMR spectra. The guanine bases bind to the dirhodium core at positions N7 and O6, a conclusion that is supported by the absence of N7 protonation at low pH values and the notable increase in the acidity of the guanine N1H sites (pK(a) approximately 7.4 in 4:1 CD(3)CN/D(2)O), inferred from the pH-dependence titrations of the guanine H8 proton resonances. In both dirhodium adducts, the adenine bases coordinate to the metal atoms through N6 and N7, which induces stabilization of the rare imino tautomer of the bases with a concomitant substantial decrease in the basicity of the N1H adenine sites (pK(a) approximately 7.0-7.1 in 4:1 CD(3)CN/D(2)O), as compared to the imino form of free adenosine. The presence of the adenine bases in the rare imino form is further corroborated by the observation of DQF-COSY H2/N1H and ROE N1H/N6H cross-peaks in the 2D NMR spectra of [Rh(2)(DTolF)(2){d(GpA)}] and [Rh(2)(DTolF)(2){d(ApG)}] in CD(3)CN at -38 degrees C. The 2D NMR spectroscopic data and the molecular modeling results suggest the presence of right-handed variants, HH1R, in solution for both adducts (HH1R refers to the relative base canting and the direction of propagation of the phosphodiester backbone with respect to the 5' base). Complete characterization of [Rh(2)(DTolF)(2){d(GpA)}] and [Rh(2)(DTolF)(2){d(ApG)}] by 2D NMR spectroscopy and molecular modeling supports anti-orientation of the sugar residues for both adducts about the glycosyl bonds as well as N- and S-type conformations for the 5'- and 3'-deoxyribose residues, respectively.     

Anion-pi interactions as controlling elements in self-assembly reactions of Ag(I) complexes with pi-acidic aromatic rings

Reactions of 3,6-bis(2'-pyridyl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine (bptz) and 3,6-bis(2'-pyridyl)-1,2-pyridazine (bppn) with the AgX salts (X = [PF6]-, [AsF6]-, [SbF6]-, and [BF4]-) afford complexes of different structural motifs depending on the pi-acidity of the ligand central ring and the outer-sphere anion. The bptz reactions lead to the polymeric [[Ag(bptz)][PF6]]infinity (1) and the dinuclear compounds [Ag2(bptz)2(CH3CN)2][PF6]2 (2) and [Ag2(bptz)2(CH3CN)2][AsF6]2 (3), as well as the propeller-type species [Ag2(bptz)3][AsF6]2 (4) and [Ag2(bptz)3][SbF6]2 (5a and 5b). Reactions of bppn with AgX produce the grid-type structures [Ag4(bppn)4][X]4 (6-9), regardless of the anion present. In 6-9, pi-pi stacking interactions are maximized, whereas multiple and shorter (therefore stronger) anion-pi interactions between the anions and the tetrazine rings are established in 1-5b. These differences reflect the more electron-rich character of the bppn pyridazine ring as compared to the bptz tetrazine ring. The evidence gleaned from the solid-state structures was corroborated by density functional theory calculations. In the electrostatic potential maps of the free ligands, a higher positive charge is present in the bptz as compared to the bppn central ring. Furthermore, the electrostatic potential maps of 3, 4, and 5b indicate an electron density transfer from the anions to the pi-acidic rings. Conversely, upon addition of the [AsF6]- ions to the cation of 7, there is negligible change in the electron density of the central pyridazine ring, which supports the presence of weaker anion-pi interactions in the bppn as compared to the bptz complexes. From the systems studied herein, it is concluded that anion-pi interactions play an important role in the outcome of self-assembly reactions.     

Anion template effect on the self-assembly and interconversion of metallacyclophanes

Reactions of 3,6-bis(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine (bptz) with solvated first-row transition metals M(II) (M(II) = Ni, Zn, Mn, Fe, Cu) have been explored with emphasis on the factors that influence the identity of the resulting cyclic products for Ni(II) and Zn(II). The relatively small anions, namely [ClO4]- and [BF4]-, lead to the formation of molecular squares [{M4(bptz)4(CH3CN)8} subsetX][X]7, (M = Zn(II), Ni(II); X = [BF4]-, [ClO4]-), whereas the larger anion [SbF6]- favors the molecular pentagon [{Ni5(bptz)5-(CH3CN)10} subsetSbF6][SbF6]9. The molecular pentagon easily converts to the square in the presence of excess [BF4]-, [ClO4]-, and [I]- anions, whereas the Ni(II) square can be partially converted to the less stable pentagon under more forcing conditions in the presence of excess [SbF6]- ions. No evidence for the molecular square being in equilibrium with the pentagon was observed in the ESI-MS spectra of the individual square and pentagon samples. Anion-exchange reactions of the encapsulated ion in [{Ni4(bptz)4(CH3CN)8} subsetClO4][ClO4]7 reveal that a larger anion such as [IO4]- cannot replace [ClO4]- inside the cavity, but that the linear [Br3]- anion is capable of doing so. ESI-MS studies of the reaction between [Ni(CH3CN)6][NO3]2 and bptz indicate that the product is trinuclear. Mass spectral studies of the bptz reactions with Mn(II), Fe(II), and Cu(II), in the presence of [ClO4]- anions, support the presence of molecular squares. The formation of the various metallacyclophanes is discussed in light of the factors that influence these self-assembly reactions, such as choice of metal ion, anion, and solvent.     

Head-to-head cross-linked adduct between the antitumor unit bis(mu-N,N'-di-p-tolylformamidinato)dirhodium(II,II) and the DNA fragment d(GpG)

Reactions of the compound cis-[Rh2(DTolF)2(CH3CN)6](BF4)2, a formamidinate derivative of the class of antitumor compounds [Rh2(O2CR)4] (R=Me, Et, Pr), with 9-ethylguanine (9-EtGuaH) or the dinucleotide d(GpG) proceed by substitution of the acetonitrile groups, with the guanine bases spanning the Rh--Rh bond, in a bridging fashion, through sites N7/O6. In the case of 9-EtGuaH, both head-to-head (HH) and head-to-tail (HT) isomers are formed, whereas with the tethered bases in d(GpG), only one right-handed conformer HH1R [Rh2(DTolF)2{d(GpG)}] is present in solution. For both cis-[Rh2(DTolF)2(9-EtGuaH)2](BF4)2 and [Rh2(DTolF)2{d(GpG)}], the absence of N7 protonation at low pH and the substantial decrease of the pKa values for N1-H deprotonation, support N7/O6 binding of the bases to the dirhodium core. The N7/O6 binding of the bases is further corroborated by the downfield shift by Deltadelta approximately 4.0 ppm of the 13C NMR resonances for the C6 nuclei as compared to the corresponding resonances of the free ligands. The HH arrangement of the guanine bases in [Rh2(DTolF)2{d(GpG)}] is indicated by the intense H8/H8 ROE cross-peaks in the 2D ROESY NMR spectrum. Complete characterization of the [Rh2(DTolF)2{d(GpG)}] conformer by 2D NMR spectroscopy supports anti-orientation and N (C3'-endo) conformation for both deoxyribose residues. The N-pucker for the 5'-G base is universal in such cross-links, but it is very unusual for platinum and unprecedented for dirhodium HH cross-linked adducts to have both deoxyribose residues in the N-type conformation. The bulk, the nonlabile character, and the electron-donating ability of the formamidinate bridging groups spanning the dirhodium core affect the nature of the preferred dirhodium DNA adducts. Molecular modeling studies performed on [Rh2(DTolF)2{d(GpG)}] corroborate the structural features obtained by NMR spectroscopy.     

Lanthanide-3d cyanometalate chains Ln(III)-M(III) (Ln=Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb; M=Fe) with the tridentate ligand 2,4,6-tri(2-pyridyl)-1,3,5-triazine (tptz): evidence of ferromagnetic interactions for the Sm(III)-M(III) compounds (M=Fe, Cr)

A series of cyanide-bridged chain mixed Fe(III)/Ln(III) (Ln=Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb) complexes with the tridentate ligand 2,4,6-tri(2-pyridyl)-1,3,5-triazine (tptz) used as a capping group has been prepared. Reactions of tptz and LnCl3 with K3Fe(CN)6 yield a family of air-stable 1-D compounds {[Pr(tptz)(H2O)4Fe(CN)6].8H2O}infinity, {[Nd(tptz)(H2O)4Fe(CN)6].8H2O}infinity, {[Sm(tptz)(H2O)4Fe(CN)6].8H2O}, {[Eu(tptz)(H2O)4Fe(CN)6].6H2O}infinity, {[Gd(tptz)(H2O)4Fe(CN)6].6H2O}infinity, and {[Tb(tptz)(H2O)4Fe(CN)6].8H2O}infinity. Temperature dependent magnetic susceptibility studies of reveal that in , the Sm(III) and Fe(III) ions are ferromagnetically coupled with 3-D ordering occurring below 3.5 K. The appearance of the frequency dependent out-of-phase signal is explained in terms of an ordering with a spin glass-like behavior. To compare the magnetic behavior of with related compounds, {[Sm(tptz)(H2O)4Co(CN)6].8H2O}infinity and {[La(tptz)(DMF)(H2O)3Fe(CN)6].5H2O}infinity, {[Sm(tmphen)(DMF)3(H2O)Fe(CN)6].2H2O}infinity, {[Sm(tmphen)2(H2O)2Fe(CN)6].MeOH.13H2O}infinity and {[Sm(tmphen)2(H2O)2Cr(CN)6].MeOH.9H2O}infinity with 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (tmphen) were also prepared.