Interplay between magnetism and conductivity derived from spin-polarized donor radicals

Tutorial review: to achieve molecule-based spintronic devices, an organic conducting magnet that exhibits both conductivity and magnetism in a cooperative manner must be constructed. As a building block for such new materials, a spin-polarized donor radical, which serves as a molecular "spin-filter" in its singly oxidized state, was designed and synthesized. The resistivity of ion radical salts of selenium-substituted, tetrathiafulvalene-based spin-polarized donor radicals decreased substantially in the presence of a magnetic field, thus indicating cooperative conductivity and magnetism.     

Linear expansion of the eigenvalues of a Hermitian matrix and its application to the analysis of the electronic spectra of 3d ions in crystals

It is shown that the eigenvalues E_i of a Hermitian matrix H with matrix elements H_ij = Σ_kA^k_ija_k, where A^k_ij are known numbers and a_k a set of parameters, can be exactly expanded as $\text{E}{}_{\mathrm{i}}\text{= Σ}{}_{\mathrm{k}}\text{(}\text{?E}{}_{\mathrm{i}}\text{?a}{}_{\mathrm{k}}\text{)a}{}_{\mathrm{k}}$. This property is applied to the analysis of the optical spectra of transition metal ions in crystals proposed by L. Pueyo, M. Bermejo, and J. W. Richardson (J. Solid State Chem.31, 217, 1980), and it is shown that this method represents the best fit of the Hamiltonian eigenvalues to the observed (or calculated) spectrum. Further advantages of using this property, in connection with the spectral analysis, are the minimization of the errors associated with the numerical approximations and a reduction in computer time. In the molecular orbital calculation of the optical or uv spectra of these systems, this linear expansion of the eigenvalues give a detailed interpretation of the improvements produced by refined calculations, such as those including configuration interaction. In particular, the changes in one-electron energy and in open-shell repulsion interactions associated with the refinement can be clearly and easily formulated. As examples, the computed spectra of CrF^4?₆ and CrF^3?₆ are discussed.     

Hybrid nanoparticle design based on cationized gelatin and the polyanions dextran sulfate and chondroitin sulfate for ocular gene therapy

We describe the development of hybrid nanoparticles composed of cationized gelatin and the polyanions CS and DS for gene therapy in the ocular surface. The physicochemical properties of the nanoparticles that impact their bioperformance, such as average size and zeta potential, can be conveniently modulated by changing the ratio of polymers and the crosslinker. These systems associate plasmid DNA and are able to protect it from DNase I degradation. We corroborate that the introduction of CS or DS in the formulation decreases the in vitro toxicity of the nanoparticles to human corneal cells without compromising the transfection efficiency. These nanoparticles are potential candidates for the development of safer and more effective nanomedicines for ocular therapy.     

Homo-timeric structural model of human microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 and characterization of its substrate/inhibitor binding interactions

Inducible, microsomal prostaglandin E synthase 1 (mPGES-1), the terminal enzyme in the prostaglandin (PG) biosynthetic pathway, constitutes a promising therapeutic target for the development of new anti-inflammatory drugs. To elucidate structure–function relationships and to enable structure-based design, an mPGES-1 homology model was developed using the three-dimensional structure of the closest homologue of the MAPEG family (Membrane Associated Proteins in Eicosanoid and Glutathione metabolism), mGST-1. The ensuing model of mPGES-1 is a homo-trimer, with each monomer consisting of four membrane-spanning segments. Extensive structure refinement revealed an inter-monomer salt bridge (K26-E77) as well as inter-helical interactions within each monomer, including polar hydrogen bonds (e.g. T78-R110-T129) and hydrophobic π-stacking (F82-F103-F106), all contributing to the overall stability of the homo-trimer of mPGES-1. Catalytic co-factor glutathione (GSH) was docked into the mPGES-1 model by flexible optimization of both the ligand and the protein conformations, starting from the initial location ascertained from the mGST-1 structure. Possible binding site for the substrate, prostaglandin H₂ (PGH₂), was identified by systematically probing the refined molecular structure of mPGES-1. A binding model was generated by induced fit docking of PGH₂ in the presence of GSH. The homology model prescribes three potential inhibitor binding sites per mPGES-1 trimer. This was further confirmed experimentally by equilibrium dialysis study which generated a binding stoichiometric ratio of approximately three inhibitor molecules to three mPGES-1 monomers. The structural model that we have derived could serve as a useful tool for structure-guided design of inhibitors for this emergently important therapeutic target.     

Elongation and contraction of molecular springs. Synthesis, structures, and properties of bridged [7]thiaheterohelicenes

A series of bridged [7]thiaheterohelicenes 3a-c and 4 with a variety of helical pitches have been prepared from racemic and optical pure 2,13-bis(hydroxymethyl)dithieno[3,2-e:3',2'-e']benzo[1,2-b:4,3-b']bis[1]benzothiophene (1) in order to investigate the helical structures in solution. Recrystallizations of (PM)-3a, (PM)-3b, (PM)-3c, and (P)-4 from hexane-dichloromethane gave crystals suitable for X-ray crystallography, while recrystallization of (PM)-4 with benzene gave an inclusion complex with a stoichiometry of (PM-4)(4).(C(6)H(6)). X-ray analyses of (PM)-3a-c, (PM-4)(4).(C(6)H(6)), and (P)-4 indicate that the dihedral angles between terminal thiophene rings of the helical framework significantly vary from 22 degrees for 4 to 59 degrees for 3c. This represents as increase of 37 degrees or 168%. Although the (13)C NMR and UV absorption spectra of bridged helicenes 3a-c and unbridged helicene 5 are essentially the same, the molar rotation of 5 is very large compared with those of 3a-c and 4. A red shift (15 nm) in the circular dichroism (CD) spectrum is observed for 4, suggesting that this compound is more planar than 3a-c in solution. In the series of [7]thiaheterohelicenes studied, the minimum helical pitch is 2.70 A for 4.     

Nanoparticle adsorption on a weak polyelectrolyte. Stiffness, pH, charge mobility, and ionic concentration effects investigated by Monte Carlo simulations

Monte Carlo simulations have been used to study two different models for a weak linear polyelectrolyte in the presence of nanoparticles: (i) a rodlike and (ii) a flexible polyelectrolytes. The use of simulated annealing has made it possible to simulate a polyelectrolyte chain in the presence of several nanoparticles by improving conformation sampling and avoiding multiple minima problems when dense conformations are produced. Nanoparticle distributions along the polymer backbone were analyzed versus the ionic concentration, polyelectrolyte stiffness, and nanoparticle surface charge. Titration curves were calculated and the influences of the ionic concentration, solution pH, and number of adsorbed nanoparticles on the acid/base polyelectrolyte properties have been systematically investigated. The subtle balance of attractive and repulsive interactions has been discussed, and some characteristic conformations are presented. The comparison of the two limit models provides a good representation of the stiffness influence on the complex formation. In some conditions, overcharging was obtained and presented with respect to both the polyelectrolyte and nanoparticle as the central element. Finally, the charge mobility influence along the polyelectrolyte backbone was investigated by considering annealed and quenched polyelectrolyte chains.     

High throughput continuous titration based on a flow ratiometry controlled with feedback-based variable triangular waves and subsequent fixed triangular waves

We propose a new approach for high-throughput continuous titration based on a flow ratiometry. The method was applied to potentiometric titrations of acids and bases. A base solution, the flow rate F_B of which was varied in response to controller output voltage V_c, was merged with an acid solution under constant total (acid + base) flow rate. Downstream, the pH of the mixed solution was measured with a flow-through glass electrode. Initially, V_c, and thus F_B was increased linearly. At the instant the equivalence point (EP) was sensed, the ramp direction of V_c was reversed from upward to downward. The direction was reversed to upward when EP was sensed again. Such the feedback-based operation gives a triangular waveform of V_c, because there is a delay corresponding mainly to the transit time of merged solutions to reach the sensor. The value of V_c that gives EP composition, V_E, was estimated by averaging the most recent maximum and minimum values of V_c. Next, fixed triangular waves of V_c was used to control F_B. The amplitude and the scan rate of the waves were fixed narrower and faster, respectively, than those in the feedback-based operation in order to improve the throughput rate. The EP can be located as long as the scan range covers V_E. These automated processes limited the titration to just the narrow range around EP, and thus realized extremely high throughput rate of maximally 17.6 titrations per minute (=3.4 s per titration) at R.S.D. = 0.35%.     

NMR spectroscopic characterization of inclusion complexes comprising cyclodextrins and gallated catechins in aqueous solution: cavity size dependency

The structure of inclusion complexes of γ‐cyclodextrin (γ‐CD), (–)‐gallocatechin gallate (GCg), and (–)‐epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg) in D₂O was investigated using several NMR techniques. GCg formed a 1:1 inclusion complex with γ‐CD in which the A and C rings of GCg were inserted deep at the head of the A ring into the γ‐CD cavity from the wide secondary hydroxyl group side. In the 1:1 inclusion complex with GCg and γ‐CD, the GCg moiety maintained a conformation in which the B and B′ rings of GCg took both pseudoequatorial positions with respect to the C ring. The structure of the inclusion complex of GCg and γ‐CD obtained from NMR experiments supported well that determined from PM6 semiempirical SCF MO calculations. However, ¹H NMR experiments suggested that EGCg did not form any inclusion complex with γ‐CD in D₂O. The marked difference between GCg and EGCg in inclusion behavior toward γ‐CD may be explained in terms of the stabilization energy calculated with the PM6 method. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.