Aggregation of a C60-didodecyloxybenzene dyad: structure, dynamics, and mechanism of vesicle growth

The mechanism of formation and the stability of spontaneously formed vesicles upon self-assembly of a partially ground-state charge-separated, nonpolar-polar-nonpolar fullerene(C60)-didodecyloxybenzene (DDB) dyad in binary solvent mixtures requiring a critical dielectric constant of approximately 30 are reported. Molecular interactions giving rise to defined vesicles with in-plane bilayer packing are detailed from the predominant van der Waals and electrostatic interactions existing on the dyad's framework. The vesicles are formed with a large bending rigidity of 18kBT, which on further extraction into a polar water medium resulted in uniform spheres that corroborated well with the theoretical predictions. Furthermore, the water-extracted spherical dyad aggregates at an increased dyad concentration, leading to the formation of giant micrometer-sized fractals following diffusion-limited cluster aggregation. These dyad aggregates act as efficient quenchers of fluorescent dyes with a quenching rate of 4.6 x 10(13) M(-1) s(-1).

In situ Raman monitoring triazole formation from self-assembled monolayers of 1,4-diethynylbenzene on Ag and Au surfaces via "click" cyclization

We prepared acetylenyl-terminated aromatic self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of 1,4-diethynylbenzene on silver and gold. After the fabrication of pendent acetylenyl SAMs, the formation of triazoles was performed via Cu(I)-catalyzed Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition "click" chemistry. A density functional theory (DFT) calculation of Raman frequencies showed good agreement with our experimental data to provide evidence of the formation of the triazole molecule. Our results indicated that "click" chemistry could be successfully applied to simple aromatic SAMs proximate (<1 nm) to roughened gold surfaces. The reaction process could be monitored in real time by measuring intensity changes of the nu(CC)(free) band in surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra.

Nature of “Hydrogen Bond” in the Diborane−Benzene Complex: Covalent, Electrostatic, or Dispersive?

Motivated by the recent discovery of unusual "hydrogen bonding"-like interaction between a borane system and benzene molecules in a molecular crystal, we carried out quantum mechanical calculations on a model complex, diborane-benzene cluster. The aim is to understand the nature of this unique interaction, which is expected to play an essential role in this novel class of molecular crystals. As analyzed in the present study, the interaction between diborane and benzene is special in the following aspects: (1) this interaction is mostly dispersive; (2) the observed pseudodirectionality with one of the diborane bridge hydrogen directed toward the benzene centroid minimizes the van der Waals contact; and (3) in the "hydrogen bond" map, this interaction is located in a unique region, which is presently populated by a few known molecular complexes with very different chemical characteristics. It is anticipated that the results from the present analysis will provide meaningful guidance for molecular engineering with diborane-benzene as a building block and for stabilization of this and possible other hydrogen bonds by dispersive contributions.

Solid phase extraction method for selective determination of Pb(II) in water samples using 4-(4-methoxybenzylidenimine) thiophenole

A sensitive and selective extractive preconcentration procedure for the determination of traces of lead in water samples has been developed. An alumina-sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) coated modified with 4-(4-methoxybenzylidenimine) thiophenole (MBITP) was used for preconcentration and determination of Pb(II) by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Lead was adsorbed quantitatively on modified column due to its complexation with MBITP and quantitatively eluted using 5 mL 1 mol L(-1) nitric acid in acetone. The effects of parameters such as pH, amount of solid phase, amount of MBITP, flow rate, type and concentration of eluting agent were examined. The effect of interfering ions on the determination of Pb(II) was also investigated. The response of proposed method is linear in the concentration range 0.05-1.2 microg mL(-1) of Pb(II). The limit of detections (3S.D.(b)/m, n=4) and relative standard deviations (n=11) are 1.6 ng mL(-1) and 0.9%, respectively. The presented procedure was successfully applied for determination of lead content in real samples such as river, spring, waste and drinking water.

Secondary metabolite chemistry of the marine-derived fungus Massarina sp., strain CNT-016

Chemical investigation of the culture broth extracts of the marine-derived fungus Massarina sp. (strain CNT-016) has yielded two secondary metabolites, spiromassaritone (1) and massariphenone (2), as well as the previously reported fungal metabolites 6-epi-5'-hydroxy-mycosporulone (3) and enalin A (4). The structures of these compounds were established by a variety of one- and two-dimensional NMR experiments, while the relative configuration of spiromassaritone (1) was determined by X-ray crystallographic methods. The fungal strain was isolated as a sterile mycelium from an ocean mud sample and identified using ITS sequence analysis.

Application of Asymmetric Model in Analysis of Fluorescence Spectra of Biologically Important Molecules

Having a valid mathematical model for structureless emission band shapes is important when deconvoluting fluorescence spectra of complex molecules. We propose a new asymmetric model for emission spectra of five organic molecules containing aromatic ring: catechol, coniferyl alcohol, hydroquinone, phenylalanine and tryptophan. For each molecule, a series of emission spectra, varying in excitation wavelength, were fitted with the new model as well as with two other analytical expressions: log-normal, described previously in the literature, and sigmoid-exponential. Their deconvolution into two, three and four Gaussian components was also performed, in order to estimate the number of symmetric components needed to obtain a better fitting quality than that of the asymmetric models. Four subtypes of the new model, as well as the log-normal one, did not differ significantly in their fitting errors, while the sigmoid-exponential model showed a significantly worse fit. Spectra of two mixtures: hydroquinone-coniferyl alcohol and hydroquinone-tryptophan were deconvoluted into two asymmetric and four Gaussian components. Positions of asymmetric components of mixtures matched those of separate molecules, while Gaussian did not. Component analysis of a polymer molecule, lignin, was also performed. In this more complex case asymmetric and Gaussian components also grouped in alternating positions.

Expedient synthesis of substituted (diphenylphosphinoylmethyl)benzenes

An efficient protocol for the synthesis of structurally diverse (diphenylphosphinoylmethyl)benzenes is described. The reaction employs readily available carboxylic acids, chlorodiphenylphosphine, and water as the reagents. A 97% reduction in the reaction times and substantially higher yields of products result, up to a 60% increase, if the reactions are performed under microwave irradiation. The first examples of transition-metal-catalyzed reactions applied to 4-bromo-1,3-bis(diphenylphosphinoylmethyl)benzene are also reported.

Kinetic and mechanistic studies of allicin as an antioxidant

We have undertaken a detailed study of the antioxidant activity of allicin, one of the main thiosulfinates in garlic, in order to obtain quantitative information on it as a chain-breaking antioxidant. The antioxidant actions of allicin against the oxidation of cumene and methyl linoleate (ML) in chlorobenzene were studied in detail using HPLC. The hydroperoxides formed during the course of the inhibited oxidation of ML were analyzed as their corresponding alcohols by HPLC, and it is apparent that an allylic hydrogen atom of the allicin is responsible for the antioxidant activity. Furthermore, it is clear that the radical-scavenging reactions of allicin proceed via a one-step hydrogen atom transfer based on the results of the reaction with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) in the presence of Mg2+ and calculation of the ionization potential value. In addition, we determined the stoichiometric factor (n), the number of peroxyl radicals trapped by one antioxidant molecule, of allicin by measuring the reactivity toward DPPH in chlorobenzene, and the value of n for allicin was about 1.0. Therefore, we measured the rate constants, k(inh), for the reaction of allicin with peroxyl radicals during the induction period of the cumene and the ML oxidation. As a result, we found that allicin reacts with peroxyl radicals derived from cumene and ML with the rate constants k(inh) = 2.6 x 10(3) M(-1)s(-1) and 1.6 x 10(5) M(-1)s(-1) in chlorobenzene, respectively. Our results demonstrate for the first time reliable quantitative kinetic data and the antioxidative mechanism of allicin as an antioxidant.

Nucleophilic addition to a p-benzyne derived from an enediyne: a new mechanism for halide incorporation into biomolecules

Biosynthesis of haloaromatics ordinarily occurs by electrophilic attack of an activated halogen species on an electron-rich aromatic ring. We now present the discovery of a new reaction whereby a nucleophilic halide anion can be attached even to an aromatic ring without activating substituents. We show that the enediyne cyclodeca-1,5-diyn-3-ene, in the presence of lithium halide and a weak acid, is converted to 1-halotetrahydronaphthalene. The kinetics are consistent with rate-limiting cyclization to a p-benzyne biradical that rapidly adds halide and is then protonated. This reaction has interesting mechanistic features and important implications for incorporation of halide into biomolecules.

Sorption potential of Moringa oleifera pods for the removal of organic pollutants from aqueous solutions

Moringa oleifera pods Lamarck (Drumstick or Horseradish) is a multipurpose medium or small size tree from sub-Himalayan regions of north-west India and indigenous to many parts of Asia, Africa, South America, and in the Pacific and Caribbean Islands. Its pods (MOP) have been employed as an inexpensive and effective sorbent for the removal of organics, i.e., benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and cumene (BTEC) from aqueous solutions using HPLC method. Effect of different parameters, i.e., sorbent dose 0.05-0.8g, 25cm(-3) agitation time 5-120min, pH 1-10, temperature 283-308K and concentration of sorbate (1.3-13)x10(-3), (1.1-11)x10(-3), (0.9-9)x10(-3), (0.8-8)x10(-3)moldm(-3), on the sorption potential of MOP for BTEC have been investigated. The pore area and average pore diameter of the MOP by BET method using nitrogen as a standard are calculated to be 28.06+/-0.8m(2)g(-1) and 86.2+/-1.3nm respectively. Freundlich, Langumir and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) sorption isotherms were employed to evaluate the sorption capacity of MOP. Sorption capacities of BTEC onto MOP have been found to be 46+/-10, 84+/-9, 101+/-4, 106+/-32mmolg(-1) by Freundlich, 8+/-0.1, 9+/-0.1, 10+/-0.3, 9+/-0.1mmolg(-1) by Langumir and 15+/-1, 21+/-1, 23+/-2, 22+/-3mmolg(-1) by D-R isotherms respectively, from BTEC solutions at 303K. While the mean energy of sorption process 9.6+/-0.3, 9.2+/-0.2, 9.3+/-0.3, 9.5+/-0.4kJmol(-1) for BTEC is calculated by D-R isotherm only. Rate constant of BTEC onto MOP 0.033+/-0.003, 0.030+/-0.002, 0.029+/-0.002, 0.027+/-0.002min(-1) at solution concentration of 1.3x10(-3), 1.1x10(-3), 0.9x10(-3) and 0.8x10(-3)moldm(-3) and at 303K have been calculated by employing Lagergren equation. Thermodynamic parameters DeltaH -8+/-0.4, -10+/-0.6, -11+/-0.7, -11+/-0.7kJmol(-1), DeltaS -22+/-2, -26+/-2, -27+/-2, -29+/-3Jmol(-1)K(-1) and DeltaG(303K) -0.9+/-0.2, -1.9+/-0.2, -2.3+/-0.1 and -2.6+/-0.2kJmol(-1) were also estimated for BTEC respectively at temperatures 283-308K. The negative values of DeltaH, DeltaS and DeltaG suggest exothermic, stable (with no structural changes at solid-liquid interface) and spontaneous nature of sorption process under optimized conditions. MOP has been used extensively to accrue and then to preconcentrate benzene, toluene and ethylbenzene in wastewater sample.

NMR screening applied to the fragment-based generation of inhibitors of creatine kinase exploiting a new interaction proximate to the ATP binding site

Using an in-house fragment NMR library, we identified a set of ligands that bind rabbit muscular creatine kinase, an enzyme involved in key ATP-dependent processes. The ligands docked to the crystal structures of creatine kinase indicated that a phenylfuroic acid could enter into a pocket adjacent to the nucleotide binding site. This fragment served as an anchor to develop in silico a series of potential inhibitors which could partly access the nucleotide binding site. The short synthesis of only four derivatives provided entirely novel hit compounds that reversibly inhibit creatine kinase at micromolar concentrations with a mixed ATP-competitive/noncompetitive mechanism in agreement with the structural model of the inhibited enzyme. These initial biologically active compounds are novel and modular and exploit a new interaction proximate to the ATP binding site.

Dual-Reagent Catalysis within Ir−Sn Domain: Highly Selective Alkylation of Arenes and Heteroarenes with Aromatic Aldehydes

Reactions of arenes and heteroarenes with aromatic aldehydes proceeded smoothly in the presence of a catalytic combination of [Ir(COD)Cl]2-SnCl4 to afford the corresponding triarylmethane derivatives (TRAMs) in high yields. This 100% TRAM selective transformation is clean and eliminates the use of acid systems.

Silperisone: a centrally acting muscle relaxant

Silperisone is a tolperisone like organosilicon compound with centrally acting muscle relaxant properties. Studies in mice showed that silperisone may have less propensity to cause CNS depressant or motor side effects than tolperisone or other antispastic drugs. In cats and rats, silperisone was an effective suppressant of monosynaptic and polysynaptic spinal reflexes and decerebrate rigidity. Its suppressant effect on the spinal reflexes was also demonstrated in the isolated hemisected rat spinal cord in vitro. The in vivo potency and efficacy of silperisone by i.v administration were similar to those of tolperisone and eperisone. However, in cats by intraduodenal administration and in mice by oral administration its duration of action was much longer and its functional bioavailability much higher than of the other two drugs. With regard to its profile of actions silperisone was similar to tolperisone with minor differences. The most striking difference was in pontine facilitation and bulbar inhibition of the patellar reflex. Tolperisone depressed both, whereas silperisone inhibited only the former. The mechanism underlying the spinal reflex depressant effects of silperisone involves the blockade of voltage gated neuronal sodium and calcium channels leading to a decreased release of excitatory transmitter and reduced neuronal excitability. In addition, silperisone has potassium channel blocking effect, which is stronger than that of tolperisone. Silperisone is absorbed rapidly and is extensively metabolized in rats. However, its metabolism in dogs and particularly in humans is much less extensive. The elimination half-life of silperisone in humans is 12 to 16 h, so that it can be administered once or twice daily. Phase I clinical studies with silperisone at doses up to 150 mg/day failed to detect any adverse effects at plasma concentrations considered to be effective in the preclinical tests. These findings suggested that silperisone might be a useful antispastic drug. However, findings in chronic animal toxicity studies led to the discontinuation of silperisone's development.

Tuning the Hydrolytic Aqueous Chemistry of Osmium Arene Complexes with N,O-Chelating Ligands to Achieve Cancer Cell Cytotoxicity

Potential biological and medical applications of organometallic complexes are hampered by a lack of knowledge of their aqueous solution chemistry. We show that the hydrolytic and aqueous solution chemistry of half-sandwich OsII arene complexes of the type [(eta6-arene)Os(XY)Cl] can be tuned with XY chelating ligands to achieve cancer cell cytoxicity comparable to carboplatin. Complexes containing arene = p-cymene, XY = N,O-chelating ligands glycinate (1), L-alaninate (2), alpha-aminobutyrate (3), beta-alaninate (4), picolinate (5), or 8-hydroxyquinolinate (7) were synthesized. Although, 1-4 and 7 hydrolyzed rapidly (<min), complexes with pi-acceptor pyridine as N-donor and carboxylate as O-donor (5 and 6) hydrolyzed much more slowly (t1/2 = 0.20 and 0.52 h, 298 K). The aqua picolinate complexes were more acidic (pKa* = 6.67, 6.33) than the other aqua adducts (pKa* = 7.17-7.71). At biological test concentrations (micromolar), the chelating ligands dissociated from complexes 1-4 to give the inert hydroxo-bridged dinuclear species [(eta6-arene)Os(mu-OH)3Os(eta6-arene)]+ (8), and these complexes were inactive toward human lung A549 and ovarian A2780 cancer cells. In contrast, 5-7 were cytotoxic, especially 6 (IC50 values of 8 and 4.2 microM). The X-ray structures of 9-ethylguanine, [(eta6-p-cym)Os(pico)(9EtG-N7)]PF6, and 9-ethyladenine, [(eta6-p-cym)Os(pico)(9EtA-N7)]PF6, adducts of 5 are reported (the first reported for G or A adducts of OsII). Crystals of the 9EtA complex contain homoadenine base pairing. The 9EtG adduct in particular exhibits remarkable aqueous kinetic stability. This work shows how the rational control of chemical reactivity (hydrolysis, acidity, formation of hydroxo-bridged dinuclear species) can allow the design of cytotoxic anticancer OsII arene complexes.

Purification and cloning of a Delta class glutathione S-transferase displaying high peroxidase activity isolated from the German cockroach Blattella germanica

A highly active glutathione S-transferase was purified from adult German cockroaches, Blattella germanica. The purified enzyme appeared as a single band of 24 kDa by SDS/PAGE, and had a different electrophoretic mobility than, a previously identified Sigma class glutathione S-transferase (Bla g 5). Kinetic study of 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene conjugation revealed a high catalytic rate but common substrate-binding and cosubstrate-binding affinities, with V(max), k(cat), K(m) for 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene and K(m) for glutathione estimated to be 664 micromol x mg(-1) x min(-1), 545 s(-1), 0.33 mm and 0.76 mm, respectively. Interestingly, this enzyme possessed the highest activity for cumene hydroperoxide among insect glutathione S-transferases reported to date. Along with the ability to metabolize 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane and 4-hydroxynonenal, this glutathione S-transferase may play a role in defense against insecticides as well as oxidative stress. On the basis of the amino acid sequences obtained from Edman degradation and MS analyses, a 987-nucleotide cDNA clone encoding a glutathione S-transferase (BggstD1) was isolated. The longest ORF encoded a 24 614 Da protein consisting of 216 amino acid residues. The sequence had close similarities ( approximately 45-60%) to that of Delta class glutathione S-transferases, but had only 14% identity to Bla g 5. The putative amino acid sequence contained matching peptide fragments of the purified glutathione S-transferase. ELISA showed that BgGSTD1 bound to serum IgE obtained from patients with cockroach allergy, indicating that the protein may be a cockroach allergen.

Mechanism of metal-independent decomposition of organic hydroperoxides and formation of alkoxyl radicals by halogenated quinones

The metal-independent decomposition of organic hydroperoxides and the formation of organic alkoxyl radicals in the absence or presence of halogenated quinones were studied with electron spin resonance (ESR) and the spin-trapping agent 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO). We found that 2,5-dichloro-1,4-benzoquinone (DCBQ) markedly enhanced the decomposition of tert-butylhydroperoxide (t-BuOOH), leading to the formation of the DMPO adducts with t-butoxyl radicals (t-BuO* and methyl radicals *CH(3)). The formation of DMPO/t-BuO* and DMPO/*CH(3) was dose-dependent with respect to both DCBQ and t-BuOOH and was not affected by iron- or copper-specific metal chelators. Comparison of the data obtained with DCBQ and t-BuOOH with those obtained in a parallel study with ferrous iron and t-BuOOH strongly suggested that t-BuO* was produced by DCBQ and t-BuOOH through a metal-independent mechanism. Other halogenated quinones were also found to enhance the decomposition of t-BuOOH and other organic hydroperoxides such as cumene hydroperoxide, leading to the formation of the respective organic alkoxyl radicals in a metal-independent manner. Based on these data, we propose a mechanism for DCBQ-mediated t-BuOOH decomposition and formation of t-BuO*: a nucleophilic attack of t-BuOOH on DCBQ, forming a chloro-t-butylperoxyl-1,4-benzoquinone intermediate, which decomposes homolytically to produce t-BuO*. This represents a mechanism of organic alkoxyl radical formation not requiring the involvement of redox-active transition metal ions.

Photophysical properties of highly luminescent copper(I) halide complexes chelated with 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)benzene

Studies on synthesis, structures, and photophysics have been carried out for a series of luminescent copper(I) halide complexes with the chelating ligand, 1,2-bis[diphenylphosphino]benzene (dppb). The complexes studied are halogen-bridged dinuclear complexes, [Cu(mu-X)dppb]2 (X = I (1), Br (2), Cl (3)), and a mononuclear complex, CuI(dppb)(PPh3) (4). These complexes in the solid state exhibit intense blue-green photoluminescence with microsecond lifetimes (emission peaks, lambdamax = 492-533 nm; quantum yields, Phi = 0.6-0.8; and lifetimes, tau = 4.0-10.4 mus) at 298 K. In 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (2mTHF) solutions at 298 K, only 1 and 4 show weaker emission (Phi = 0.009) with shorter lifetimes (tau = 0.35 and 0.23 mus) and red-shifted spectra (lambdamax = 543 and 546 nm). The emission in the solid state originates from the (M + X)LCT excited state with a distorted-tetrahedral conformation, in which emissive excited states, 1(M + X)LCT and 3(M + X)LCT, are in equilibrium with an energy difference of approximately 2 kcal/mol. On the other hand, the complexes in the 2mTHF solutions emit from the MLCT excited state with an energetically favorable flattened conformation in the temperature range of 298-130 K. The flattened geometry with equilibrated 1MLCT and 3MLCT states has a nonradiative rate at least 2 orders of magnitude larger than that of the distorted-tetrahedral geometry, leading to a much smaller emission quantum yield (Phi = 0.009) at 298 K. Since the flattening motion is markedly suppressed below 130 K, the emission observed in 2mTHF below 130 K is considered to occur principally from the (M + X)LCT state with a distorted-tetrahedral geometry. To interpret the photophysics of 1 and 4 in both the solid and solution states, we have proposed the "2-conformations with 2-spin-states model (2C x 2S model)". The electroluminescence device using (1) as a green emissive dopant showed a moderate EL efficiency; luminous efficiency = 10.4 cd/A, power efficiency = 4.2 lm/W at 93 cd/m(2), and maximum external quantum efficiency = 4.8%.

Reaction of arenes with iodine in the presence of potassium peroxodisulfate in trifluoroacetic acid. Direct and simple synthesis of diaryliodonium triflates

Diaryliodonium triflates have been directly prepared by reaction of arenes with elemental iodine in good yields by using K2S2O8 and TFA, followed by treatment with NaOTf. This procedure avoids the use of high temperature and severe reaction conditions.

Competing Electron-Transfer Pathways in Hydrocarbon Frameworks: Short-Circuiting Through-Bond Coupling by Nonbonded Contacts in Rigid U-Shaped Norbornylogous Systems Containing a Cavity-Bound Aromatic Pendant Group

This work explores electron transfer through nonbonded contacts in two U-shaped DBA molecules 1DBA and 2DBA by measuring electron-transfer rates in organic solvents of different polarities. These molecules have identical U-shaped norbornylogous frameworks, 12 bonds in length and with diphenyldimethoxynaphthalene (DPMN) donor and dicyanovinyl (DCV) acceptor groups fused at the ends. The U-shaped cavity of each molecule contains an aromatic pendant group of different electronic character, namely p-ethylphenyl, in 1DBA, and p-methoxyphenyl, in 2DBA. Electronic coupling matrix elements, Gibbs free energy, and reorganization energy were calculated from experimental photophysical data for these compounds, and the experimental results were compared with computational values. The magnitude of the electronic coupling for photoinduced charge separation, /V(CS)/, in 1DBA and 2DBA were found to be 147 and 274 cm(-1), respectively, and suggests that the origin of this difference lies in the electronic nature of the pendant aromatic group and charge separation occurs by tunneling through the pendant group, rather than through the bridge. 2DBA, but not 1DBA, displayed charge transfer (CT) fluorescence in nonpolar and weakly polar solvents, and this observation enabled the electronic coupling for charge recombination, /V(CR)/, in 2DBA to be made, the magnitude of which is approximately 500 cm(-1), significantly larger than that for charge separation. This difference is explained by changes in the geometry of the molecule in the relevant states; because of electrostatic effects, the donor and acceptor chromophores are about 1 A closer to the pendant group in the charge-separated state than in the locally excited state. Consequently the through-pendant-group electronic coupling is stronger in the charge-separated state--which controls the CT fluorescence process--than in the locally excited state--which controls the charge separation process. The magnitude of /V(CR)/ for 2DBA is almost 2 orders of magnitude greater than that in DMN-12-DCV, having the same length bridge as for the former molecule, but lacking a pendant group. This result unequivocally demonstrates the operation of the through-pendant-group mechanism of electron transfer in the pendant-containing U-shaped systems of the type 1DBA and 2DBA.

Design and synthesis of N-(3,3-diphenylpropenyl)alkanamides as a novel class of high-affinity MT2-selective melatonin receptor ligands

A novel series of melatonin receptor ligands was discovered by opening the cyclic scaffolds of known classes of high affinity melatonin receptor antagonists, while retaining the pharmacophore elements postulated by previously described 3D-QSAR and receptor models. Compounds belonging to the classes of 2,3- and [3,3-diphenylprop(en)yl]alkanamides and of o- or [(m-benzyl)phenyl]ethyl-alkanamides were synthesized and tested on MT(1) and MT(2) receptors. The class of 3,3-diphenyl-propenyl-alkanamides was the most interesting one, with compounds having MT(2) receptor affinity similar to that of MLT, remarkable MT(2) selectivity, and partial agonist or antagonist behavior. In particular, the (E)-m-methoxy cyclobutanecarboxamido derivative 18f and the di-(m-methoxy) acetamido one, 18g, have sub-nM affinity for the MT(2) subtype, with more than 100-fold selectivity over MT(1), 18f being an antagonist and 18g a partial agonist on GTPgammaS test. Docking of 18g into a previously developed MT(2) receptor model showed a binding scheme consistent with that of other antagonists. The MT(2) expected binding affinities of the new compounds were calculated by a previously developed 3D-QSAR CoMFA model, giving satisfactory predictions.

Insights into the strength and origin of halogen bonding: the halobenzene-formaldehyde dimer

The observation of short halogen-carbonyl oxygen interactions in protein-ligand complexes has spurred us to use computational tools to better understand the strength of halogen bonding interactions. In this study we have produced potential energy curves for the halogen bonding interactions of several halobenzene-formaldehyde complexes. It was found that, for most halogen substituents, a halobenzene and formaldehyde form stable halogen bonded complexes with interaction energies that increase as the size of the halogen substituent increases.

Potent and selective alpha-ketoheterocycle-based inhibitors of the anandamide and oleamide catabolizing enzyme, fatty acid amide hydrolase

A study of the structure-activity relationships (SAR) of 2f (OL-135), a potent inhibitor of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), is detailed, targeting the 5-position of the oxazole. Examination of a series of substituted benzene derivatives (12-14) revealed that the optimal position for substitution was the meta-position with selected members approaching or exceeding the potency of 2f. Concurrent with these studies, the effect of substitution on the pyridine ring of 2f was also examined. A series of small, nonaromatic C5-substituents was also explored and revealed that the K(i) follows a well-defined correlation with the Hammett sigma(p) constant (rho = 3.01, R2 = 0.91) in which electron-withdrawing substituents enhance potency, leading to inhibitors with K(i)s as low as 400 pM (20n). Proteomic-wide screening of the inhibitors revealed that most are exquisitely selective for FAAH over all other mammalian proteases, reversing the 100-fold preference of 20a (C5 substituent = H) for the enzyme TGH.

A New Tandem Reaction of Benzyne: One-Pot Synthesis of Aryl Amines Containing Anthracene

[reaction: see text] The reaction of benzyne with N-substituted imidazoles affords a novel way to prepare arylamines containing anthracene under very mild conditions. This transformation is assumed to proceed via a tandem reaction involving a Diels-Alder reaction and an intermolecular nucleophilic coupling reaction.

Highly Efficient Non-Palladium-Catalyzed Controlled Synthesis and X-ray Analysis of Functionalized 1,2-Diaryl-, 1,2,3-Triaryl-, and 1,2,3,4-Tetraarylbenzenes

A general, two-step, highly efficient synthesis of 1,2-diaryl-, 1,2,3-triaryl-, and 1,2,3,4-tetraarylbenzenes from simple stitching of alpha-oxo-ketene-S,S-acetals and active methylene compounds via a lactone intermediate is described. This procedure offers easy access to highly functionalized arylated benzenes that contain sterically demanding groups in good to excellent yields. The novelty of the procedure lies in the construction of aromatic compounds with the desired conformational flexibility along the molecular axis in a transition-metal-free environment through easily accessible precursors. Crystal analysis of these arylated benzene scaffolds showed that the peripheral aryl rings are arranged in a propeller-like fashion with respect to the central benzene ring. Examination of the crystal packing in the structure of a 1,2,3,4-tetraarylbenzene revealed an N...pi interaction between molecules related by a two-fold screw axis running in the direction of the a axis. Interestingly, the repeating array of N...pi interactions around the axis of this 1,2,3,4-tetraarylbenzene forces the molecules into a helical pattern.