Stereo-specific synthesis of hydroanthracene-dicarboximides

Rational design of novel TLR4 ligands by in silico screening and their functional and structural characterization in vitro

The purpose of this study was to identify new small molecules that possess activity on human toll-like receptor 4 associated with the myeloid differentiation protein 2 (hTLR4/MD2). Following current rational drug design principles, we firstly performed a ligand and structure based virtual screening of more than 130 000 compounds to discover until now unknown class of hTLR4/MD2 modulators that could be used as novel type of immunologic adjuvants. The core of the in silico study was molecular docking of flexible ligands in a partially flexible hTLR4/MD2 receptor model using a peta-flops-scale supercomputer. The most promising substances resulting from this study, related to anthracene-succimide hybrids, were synthesized and tested. The best prepared candidate exhibited 80% of Monophosphoryl Lipid A in vitro agonistic activity in cell lines expressing hTLR4/MD2.

Polymetallic complexes linked to a single-frame ligand: cooperative effects in catalysis

In an eco-friendly development, catalysis represents the key approach for converting raw materials into valuable products, particularly convenient for multi-step transformations. Mimicking Nature seems the smartest way to design poly-functional assemblies leading to the design of "synergic" catalysts. This perspective focuses on the advances in the conception of polymetallic catalysts bonded to a single ligand frame.

9,10-Dihydroanthracenyl structures: original ligands for the synthesis of polymetallic complexes through selective π-coordination

N-Phenylsuccinimides and the corresponding pyrrolidines containing 9,10-dihydroanthracenyl skeletons were used for exploring their ability to coordinate RuCp(+) moieties through the aromatic rings. Electronic and steric tuning of ligands led to mono-, bi- and tri-metallic complexes. A full structural study was carried out in order to characterize the ruthenium organometallic compounds, proving the different coordination modes both in solution (NMR) and in solid state (X-ray diffraction). A modelling study (at DFT level) was completed with the aim to understand the selective π-coordination observed for mono- and bi-metallic complexes.

Tris(η(5)-cyclo-penta-dien-yl)-tris-[η(6)-[9,10-dihydro-anthracene-9,10-endo-3',4'-(N-benz-yl)pyrrolidine]]triruthenium(II) tris-(hexa-fluoro-phosphate) acetone disolvate

In the title compound, [Ru₃(C₂₅H₂₃N)(C₅H₅)₃]·3PF₆·2C₃H₆O], the cation is a triruthenium complex of a 9,10-dihydro­anthracene derivative. Three RuCp⁺ (Cp is cyclo­penta­dien­yl) groups are bonded to the three aromatic rings of the ligand. Surprisingly, the pyramidalized N atom of the heterocycle (Σ C—N—C = 329.0°) points towards the anthracenyl group, so losing its coordinative ability. There is an inter­molecular C—H⋯π inter­action involving an acetone mol­ecule and the adjacent benzyl ring of the ligand. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked via a number of C—H⋯O and C—H⋯F inter­actions and a C—H⋯π inter­action, leading to the formation of a three-dimensional supra­molecular structure. One of the Cp groups is disordered over two positions, with refined occupancies of 0.695 (14):0.305 (14). Two of the three hexa­fluoro­phospate anions are disordered, with refined occupancies of 0.630 (6):0.370 (6) and 0.771 (8):0.229 (8). One of the two solvent acetone mol­ecules is also disordered, with refined occupancies of 0.82 (2):0.18 (2).

(1S,8R,15S,19R)-17-Benzyl-17-aza-penta-cyclo-[6.6.5.0(2,7).0(9,14).0(15,19)]nona-deca-2(7),3,5,9(14),10,12-hexa-ene chloro-form monosolvate

In the title compound, C₂₅H₂₃N·CHCl₃, the dihydro­anthracene unit is bent with a dihedral angle between the benzene rings of 57.82 (8)°. The N atom of the pyrrolidine heterocycle, which has an envelope conformation with the N atom as the flap, exhibits a pronounced pyramidalization [Σ(C—N—C) = 328.07°], indicating an accentuated N-donor character. In the crystal, this behaviour is evident by the C—H⋯N hydrogen bond involving a solvent mol­ecule and the N atom. The absolute configuration at the C-atom fused positions of the pyrrolidine group were crystallographically confirmed to be S and R.