Singlet vinylcarbenes: spectroscopy and photochemistry

Infrared-Spectroscopic Study of (4-Methylpent-3-en-1-ynyl)methylthiocarbene, Its Photochemical Transformations, and Reactions in an Argon Matrix

The first representative of singlet carbenes bearing both ethynyl and methylthio groups at the carbene center, (4-methylpent-3-en-1-ynyl)methylthiocarbene, has been generated in a low-temperature Ar matrix upon UV photolysis of 3,3-dimethyl-5-methylthioethynyl-3H-pyrazole and detected by FTIR spectroscopy. The generation of the carbene proceeds via intermediate (3-diazo-5-methylhex-4-en-1-ynyl)methylsulfane. The comparison of FTIR spectroscopy data with the results of quantum chemical calculations (B3LYP/aug-cc-pVTZ) and NRT analysis shows that (4-methylpent-3-en-1-ynyl)methylthiocarbene has a singlet ground state with the localization of the unpaired spins on the carbon atom in the α-position to methylthio moiety. Two major pathways of further phototransformation of the studied carbene have been found. One of them produces photochemically stable thioketone (S═CMe-C≡C-CH═CMe₂) as a result of methyl group migration from sulfur to the neighboring carbon atom, and the other one leads to the formation of labile thioketene (S═C═C(Me)-CH═CH-CMe═CH₂). Ability of (4-methylpent-3-en-1-ynyl)methylthiocarbene to insert into the H-Cl bond was established, which additionally confirms the singlet nature of this intermediate.

Disease-Causing Mutations in the G Protein Gαs Subvert the Roles of GDP and GTP

The single most frequent cancer-causing mutation across all heterotrimeric G proteins is R201C in Gαs. The current model explaining the gain-of-function activity of the R201 mutations is through the loss of GTPase activity and resulting inability to switch off to the GDP state. Here, we find that the R201C mutation can bypass the need for GTP binding by directly activating GDP-bound Gαs through stabilization of an intramolecular hydrogen bond network. Having found that a gain-of-function mutation can convert GDP into an activator, we postulated that a reciprocal mutation might disrupt the normal role of GTP. Indeed, we found R228C, a loss-of-function mutation in Gαs that causes pseudohypoparathyroidism type 1a (PHP-Ia), compromised the adenylyl cyclase-activating activity of Gαs bound to a non-hydrolyzable GTP analog. These findings show that disease-causing mutations in Gαs can subvert the canonical roles of GDP and GTP, providing new insights into the regulation mechanism of G proteins.

Cyclopropenes: a new tool for the study of biological systems

Cyclopropenes have become an important mini-tag tool in chemical biology, participating in fast inverse electron demand Diels–Alder and photoclick reactions in biological settings.

A Singlet Aryl-CF3 Carbene: 2-Benzothienyl(trifluoromethyl)carbene and Interconversion with a Strained Cyclic Allene

Matrix-isolated 2-benzothienyl(trifluoromethyl)carbene was generated by irradiation of the corresponding diazirine, and characterized by IR and UV/vis spectroscopy, in situ trapping, and DFT modeling. Experiments and calculations indicate that the carbene is a ground-state singlet, in contrast to previously characterized aryl(trifluoromethyl)carbenes. The carbene could be interconverted photochemically with a ring-opened thioquinomethide and a highly strained cyclic allene.

Conformational Product Control in the Low-Temperature Photochemistry of Cyclopropylcarbenes

[reaction: see text] Different conformers of two fused-ring cyclopropylchlorocarbenes are shown to undergo distinct, wavelength-selectable, photochemistry in low-temperature matrixes. Conformers with H and Cl syn give ring expansion predominantly, whereas those with H and Cl anti mainly fragment.

Geometry and aromaticity in highly strained heterocyclic allenes: characterization of a 2,3-didehydro-2H-thiopyran

[reaction: see text] The highly strained cyclic allene 2,3-didehydro-2H-thiopyran was generated by irradiation of matrix-isolated 2-benzothienylchlorocarbene and characterized by IR and UV/vis spectroscopy, in situ trapping, and DFT modeling. Calculations indicate that the allenic moiety in this system, although less aromatic in character, is relatively more stable than in the corresponding oxa system. It is suggested that the thio ring system can more readily accommodate the allenic geometry.

Kinetic Studies of the Cyclization of Singlet Vinylchlorocarbenes

[reaction: see text] Vinylchlorocarbenes (R = Me or Cl) cyclize to cyclopropenes with k = (2.4-5.1) x 10(7) s(-1) or (3.1-4.5) x 10(6) s(-1), respectively, in solution at room temperature. The corresponding E(a) values are 6.6 and 5.7 kcal/mol. Excited diazirines are also likely precursors of the cyclopropenes.