Reaktive E = C(p-p)π-Systeme. XLII [1]. Neue Koordinationsverbindungen des 2-(Diisopropylamino)-1-phosphaethins: [{η4-(iPr2NCP)2}Ni{η2-(iPr2NCP)}], [(Ph3P)2Pt{η2-(iPr2NCP)}] und [Co2(CO)6{η2-η2-(iPr2NCP)}]

Reactive E = C(pp)π-Systems. XLII [1]. Novel Coordination Compounds of 2-(Diisopropylamino)-1-phosphaethyne: [{η⁴-(iPr₂NCP)₂}Ni{η²-(iPr₂NCP)}], [(Ph₃P)₂Pt{η²-(iPr₂NCP)}], and [Co₂(CO)₆{η²-μ²-(iPr₂NCP)}] 2-(Diisopropylamino)-phosphaethyne iPr₂N? C?P ( 2 ) reacts with the Ni(0)-complexes [Ni(1,5-cyclooctadiene)₂] and [Ni(CO)₃(1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]octane)], respectively, to give the novel complex [{η⁴-(iPr₂NCP)₂}Ni{η²-(iPr₂NCP)}] ( 5 ), with the 1,3-diphosphacyclobutadiene derivative and 2 (side-on) as π-ligands. The molecular structure of 5 determined by X-ray diffraction on single crystals proves the spin systems and rotational barriers deduced from NMR-data (¹H, ¹³C-, ³¹P). The PC distances of the four-membered ring of 1.817(2) and 1.818(2) Å – as expected – are considerably longer than the PC bond of the η²-coordinated phosphaalkyne 2 [1.671(2) Å]. – In the reactions of 2 with [(Ph₃P)₂Pt(C₂H₄)] or [Co₂(CO)₈] the ligand properties of 2 resemble those of alkynes affording the complexes [(Ph₃P)₂Pt{η²-(iPr₂NCP)}] ( 7 ) with side-on coordinated 2 and [Co₂(CO)₆{η²-μ²-(iPr₂NCP)}] with 2 acting as a 4e donor bridge in quantitative yield. In attempts to prepare copper(I) complexes of the aminophosphaalkyne 2 by reaction with CuCl or CuI the only isolable product formed in reasonable amounts under the influence of air and moisture is the 1 λ³, 3 λ⁵-diphosphetene (iPr₂N) ( 10 ) (isolated yield: ca. 20%). The crystal structure analysis of 10 indicates a strong structural relationship to the diamino-2-phosphaallyl cation [Me(iPr₂N)]⁺ ( 12 ), the 1,3-diphosphacyclobutadiene ligand (iPr₂NCP)₂ in the binuclear complex [{η¹, μ²-(iPr₂NCP)₂}Ni₂(CO)₆] ( 3a ) as well as to the heterocycles (dme)₂LiOE₂′ (E′ = S, 11a ; E′ = Se, 11b ) prepared by Becker et al. [11b, 35].     

Haplotype studies support slippage as the mechanism of germline mutations in short tandem repeats

Germline mutations of human short tandem repeat (STR) loci are expansions or contractions of repeat arrays which are not well understood in terms of the mechanism(s) underlying such mutations. Although polymerase slippage is generally accepted as a mechanism capable to explain most features of such mutations, it is still possible that unequal crossing over plays some role in those events, as most studies in humans could not exclude unequal crossing over (UCO). Crossing over can be studied by analyzing haplotypes using flanking markers. To check for UCO in mutations, we have analyzed 150 paternity cases for which more than the usual trio (mother, child, and father) were available for testing by analyzing 16 STR loci. In a total of 4900 parent-child allele transfers four mutations were observed at different loci (D8S1179, D18S51, D21S11, and SE33/ACTBP2). To identify the mutated allele and to check for UCO, we typed at least four informative loci flanking the mutated locus and used the pedigree data to establish haplotypes. By doing so we were able to exclude UCO in each case. Moreover, we were able to identify the mutations as one-repeat contractions/expansions. Our data thus support slippage as the mechanism of germline mutations in STRs.     

Synthesis and molecular geometry of an achiral 30-crown-12 polyacetal from alpha-cyclodextrin

Periodate oxidation of alpha-cyclodextrin followed by borohydride reduction readily provided an octadeca-hydroxymethyl-substituted 30-crown-12 polyacetal 1, its 30-membered macrocycle being composed of six meso-butanetetrol/glycolaldehyde acetal units, which is, consequently, optically inactive. Its solid-state molecular geometry emerged from the X-ray structural analysis of the well-crystallizing octadeca-acetate 2, which revealed the undulated macrocycle to be molded into three loops with a unique order of succession of the -CHR-CHR-O-CHR-O- units: alternating gauche- and anti-conformations of the meso-butanetetrol portions and consecutive disposition of the glycolaldehyde-acetoxymethyl groups above and below the mean-plane of the macrocycle. In solution, however, as evidenced by 1H- and 13C-NMR spectra, the macrocycle is highly flexible at ambient and higher temperatures, its mobility becoming distinctly restricted only below -20 degrees C.     

Electron paramagnetic resonance structure investigation of copper complexation in a hemicarcerand

The double-bridged hemicarcerand [A,B-(CH2OH)2-cavitand]-(CH2NHCH2)2-[A,B-(CH2OH)2-cavitand] 23 (and several other related compounds) was synthesized by the condensation of the two complementary precursors A,B-(CH2NH2)2(CH2OH)2-cavitand and A,B-(CH2Br)2(CH2OAc)2-cavitand followed by hydrolysis of the acetate groups. This hemicarcerand has nitrogen and oxygen donor atoms located on the interior of the spherical cavity and thus allows endohedral coordination of metal ions. The cavity has a volume of approximately 0.12 nm3, a value obtained by calculating a Connolly-type contact surface and the molecular electrostatic potential. The Cu2+ complex of hemicarcerand 23 was studied in detail by EPR and DFT calculations at the UB3LYP/6-31G level to verify the anticipated endohedral nature of the metal complex. It could be shown that the copper ion is coordinated to four oxygen donor atoms and no deviation from axial symmetry at the copper site could be detected. No direct coordination to nitrogen atoms of the hemicarcerand could be observed; however, complexation with DMF solvent molecules was detected by ESEEM and HYSCORE experiments. The closed structure of the hemicarcerand was also confirmed by an evaluation of proton-copper distances. Results from DFT calculations are in accord with the EPR results, and further support suggested coordination of the Cu(II) within the hemicarcerand cavity by four oxygen donor atoms.     

The lipophilicity patterns of cyclodextrins and of non-glucose cyclooligosaccharides

Computer-aided generation of the 3D-geometries and the contact surfaces for the cyclodextrins and cyclooligosaccharides composed of mannose, altrose, galactose, and fructose provide a lucid picture of their molecular architecture, most notably their cavity dimensions. The MOLCAD program's computation of the molecular lipophilicity patterns (MLPs), projected in color-coded form onto the respective contact surfaces, for the first time allow a detailed localization of hydrophobic and hydrophilic domains, which to a substantial degree determine the capabilities of these cyclooligosaccharides for inclusion complex formation.This account is based on an invited lecture presented by F W. L. at the 8th International Cyclodextrin Symposium, Budapest, March 31 1996.     

Synthesis and X-ray structure analysis of a heptacoordinate titanium(IV)-bis-chelate with enhanced in vivo antitumor efficacy

Chelate stabilization of a titanium(IV)-salan alkoxide by ligand exchange with 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid (dipic) resulted in heptacoordinate complex 3 which is not redox-active, stable on silica gel and has increased aqueous stability. 3 is highly toxic in HeLa S3 and Hep G2 and has enhanced antitumor efficacy in a mouse cervical-cancer model.