Comparison of Nuclear Spin Relaxation of H2O@C60 and H2@C60 and Their Nitroxide Derivatives

Cage-Expansion of Fullerenes

Despite the first proposal on the cage inflation of fullerenes in 1991, the chemical expansion of fullerenes has been still a formidable challenge. Herein, we provide an efficient methodology to expand [60] and [70]fullerene cages by the inclusion of totally C5N unit, giving nitrogen-containing closed structures as C₆₅N and C₇₅N with double fused heptagons. This method consists of two steps commenced with the construction of an opening by the reaction with triazine as a C3N source, followed by the cage reformation using N-phenylmaleimide as a C2 source. We also synthesized endohedral cages, demonstrating that the encapsulated H₂O molecule inside the C₇₅N cage prefers the orientation which maximizes the intramolecular interaction with the carbon wall. Additionally, we revealed the existence of a through-space magnetic dipolar interaction between the encapsulated H₂ molecule and the embedded N atom.

An Androsterone-H2 @C60 hybrid: Synthesis, Properties and Molecular Docking Simulations with SARS-Cov-2

We report the synthesis and characterization of a fullerene-steroid hybrid that contains H2 @C60 and a dehydroepiandrosterone moiety synthesized by a cyclopropanation reaction with 76 % yield. Theoretical calculations at the DFT-D3(BJ)/PBE 6-311G(d,p) level predict the most stable conformation and that the saturation of a double bond is the main factor causing the upfield shielding of the signal appearing at -3.13 ppm, which corresponds to the H2 located inside the fullerene cage. Relevant stereoelectronic parameters were also investigated and reinforce the idea that electronic interactions must be considered to develop studies on chemical-biological interactions. A molecular docking simulation predicted that the binding energy values for the protease-hybrid complexes were -9.9 kcal/mol and -13.5 kcal/mol for PLpro and 3CLpro respectively, indicating the potential use of the synthesized steroid-H2 @C60 as anti-SARS-Cov-2 agent.

Effects of Substituents on the Properties of Metal-Free MRI Contrast Agents

Materials possessing electron spin can shorten the T ₁ relaxation times in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). For example, gadolinium (Gd) complexes with seven f-orbital electrons are widely used as contrast agents in clinical applications. However, Gd has severe potential side effects, and thus metal-free alternatives are needed. Toward this end, we synthesized seven NO radicals consisting of a dioxa-azaspiro[4.5]decane framework having various substituents, DAD-X (X = methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, c-propyl, vinyl, phenyl, and 2-pyridyl), that functioned as metal-free MRI contrast agents. The relationship between (i) water-proton relaxivity and log P and (ii) reactivity for ascorbic acid and the spin density of the NO oxygen atom were established, which provided a basis for the rational design of practical metal-free contrast agents.

An implanted paramagnetic metallofullerene probe within a metal-organic framework

Paramagnetic endohedral metallofullerene can be used as a molecular probe because of its sensitive electron spin characters, one of which is to sense its surroundings. Metal-organic framework (MOF) materials have significant applications in selective adsorption owing to their porous structures. Herein, we report a Sc₃C₂@C₈₀ spin probe implanted in MOF-177 to detect the unusual host-guest interaction between the guest molecules of metallofullerene and the host pores of the MOF. Paramagnetic Sc₃C₂@C₈₀ molecules were incorporated into the pores of MOF-177 via absorption method, and there was strong π-π interaction between oleophilic metallofullerene and aromatic framework. The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signals of Sc₃C₂@C₈₀ in MOF-177 exhibit anisotropic properties caused by the restricted motion of implanted Sc₃C₂@C₈₀. This unusual host-guest interaction between Sc₃C₂@C₈₀ and MOF-177 is gradually strengthened with decreasing temperature as revealed by the EPR signals. In addition, the gas desorption from the MOF-177 pores under subatmospheric pressure can weaken the host-guest interaction and lead to slightly enhanced Sc₃C₂@C₈₀ EPR signals. Furthermore, the changes in the host-guest interaction between Sc₃C₂@C₈₀ and MOF-177 at different temperatures and pressures exhibit reversibility, as shown by cycling EPR measurements. These results will inspire material design and applications of fullerene and MOF complexes.

Nitroxide-Based Macromolecular Contrast Agents with Unprecedented Transverse Relaxivity and Stability for Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Tumors

Metal-free magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) agents could overcome the established toxicity associated with metal-based agents in some patient populations and enable new modes of functional MRI in vivo. Herein, we report nitroxide-functionalized brush-arm star polymer organic radical contrast agents (BASP-ORCAs) that overcome the low contrast and poor in vivo stability associated with nitroxide-based MRI contrast agents. As a consequence of their unique nanoarchitectures, BASP-ORCAs possess per-nitroxide transverse relaxivities up to ∼44-fold greater than common nitroxides, exceptional stability in highly reducing environments, and low toxicity. These features combine to provide for accumulation of a sufficient concentration of BASP-ORCA in murine subcutaneous tumors up to 20 h following systemic administration such that MRI contrast on par with metal-based agents is observed. BASP-ORCAs are, to our knowledge, the first nitroxide MRI contrast agents capable of tumor imaging over long time periods using clinical high-field 1H MRI techniques.

A magnetoreception system constructed by a dysprosium metallofullerene and nitroxide radical

A site-specific magnetoreception system between Dy₃N@C₈₀ and nitroxide radical through spin-paramagnet interaction.

Thermal- and pH-Dependent Size Variable Radical Nanoparticles and Its Water Proton Relaxivity for Metal-Free MRI Functional Contrast Agents

For development of the metal-free MRI contrast agents, we prepared the supra-molecular organic radical, TEMPO-UBD, carrying TEMPO radical, as well as the urea, alkyl group, and phenyl ring, which demonstrate self-assembly behaviors using noncovalent bonds in an aqueous solution. In addition, TEMPO-UBD has the tertiary amine and the oligoethylene glycol chains (OEGs) for the function of pH and thermal responsiveness. By dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy imaging, the resulting self-assembly was seen to form the spherical nanoparticles 10-150 nm in size. On heating, interestingly, the nanoparticles showed a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) behavior having two-step variation. This double-LCST behavior is the first such example among the supra-molecules. To evaluate of the ability as MRI contrast agents, the values of proton ((1)H) longitudinal relaxivity (r1) were determined using MRI apparatus. In conditions below and above CAC at pH 7.0, the distinguishable r1 values were estimated to be 0.17 and 0.21 mM(-1) s(1), indicating the suppression of fast tumbling motion of TEMPO moiety in a nanoparticle. Furthermore, r1 values became larger in the order of pH 7.0 > 9.0 > 5.0. Those thermal and pH dependencies indicated the possibility of metal-fee MRI functional contrast agents in the future.

Symmetry-breaking in the H2@C60 endofullerene revealed by inelastic neutron scattering at low temperature

The fine structure of the rotational ground state of molecular ortho-hydrogen confined inside the fullerene cage C₆₀ is investigated by inelastic neutron scattering (INS).

Molecular magnetic switch for a metallofullerene

The endohedral fullerenes lead to well-protected internal species by the fullerene cages, and even highly reactive radicals can be stabilized. However, the manipulation of the magnetic properties of these radicals from outside remains challenging. Here we report a system of a paramagnetic metallofullerene Sc₃C₂@C₈₀ connected to a nitroxide radical, to achieve the remote control of the magnetic properties of the metallofullerene. The remote nitroxide group serves as a magnetic switch for the electronic spin resonance (ESR) signals of Sc₃C₂@C₈₀ via spin–spin interactions. Briefly, the nitroxide radical group can ‘switch off’ the ESR signals of the Sc₃C₂@C₈₀ moiety. Moreover, the strength of spin–spin interactions between Sc₃C₂@C₈₀ and the nitroxide group can be manipulated by changing the distance between these two spin centres. In addition, the ESR signals of the Sc₃C₂@C₈₀ moiety can be switched on at low temperatures through weakened spin–lattice interactions.

Endohedral fullerenes are known to stabilize reactive radicals; however, the external magnetic manipulation of these species’ remains challenging. Here, the authors link a nitroxide radical to a paramagnetic fullerene system and are able to alter the spin behaviour of the fullerene via spin–spin interactions.

Predicting the paramagnet-enhanced NMR relaxation of H₂ encapsulated in endofullerene nitroxides by density-functional theory calculations

We have investigated the structure and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic properties of some dihydrogen endofullerene nitroxides by means of density-functional theory (DFT) calculations. Quantum versus classical roto-translational dynamics of H₂ have been characterized and compared. Geometrical parameters and hyperfine couplings calculated by DFT have been input to the Solomon-Bloembergen equations to predict the enhancement of the NMR longitudinal relaxation of H₂ due to coupling with the unpaired electron. Estimating the rotational correlation time via computed molecular volumes leads to a fair agreement with experiment for the simplest derivative; the estimate is considerably improved by recourse to the calculation of the diffusion tensor. For the other more flexible congeners, the agreement is less good, which may be due to an insufficient sampling of the conformational space. In all cases, relaxation by Fermi contact and Curie mechanisms is predicted to be negligible.

Comparison of Nuclear Spin Relaxation of H2O@C60 and H2@C60 and Their Nitroxide Derivatives

The successful synthesis of H2O@C60 makes possible the study of magnetic interactions of an isolated water molecule in a geometrically well-defined hydrophobic environment. Comparisons are made between the T1 values of H2O@C60 and the previously studied H2@C60 and their nitroxide derivatives. The value of T1 is approximately six times longer for H2O@C60 than for H2@C60 at room temperature, is independent of solvent viscosity or polarity, and increases monotonically with decreasing temperature, implying that T1 is dominated by the spin-rotation interaction. Paramagnetic nitroxides, either attached covalently to the C60 cage or added to the medium, produce strikingly similar T1 enhancements for H2O@C60 and H2@C60 that are consistent with through-space interaction between the internal nuclear spins and the external electron spin. This indicates that it should be possible to apply to the endo-H2O molecule the same methodologies for manipulating the ortho and para spin isomers that have proven successful for H2@C60.

Indirect 1H NMR characterization of H2@C60 nitroxide derivatives and their nuclear spin relaxation

(1)H NMR of two H(2)@C(60) nitroxide derivatives has been characterized indirectly by reducing to their corresponding hydroxylamines. Nuclear spin relaxation of the endohedral H(2) and external protons of the H(2)@C(60) nitroxide and its corresponding hydroxylamine were measured and analyzed. The observed spectra are consistent with negligible scalar coupling between the unpaired electron and the endo-H(2). An unexpectedly large bimolecular relaxivity induced in the hydroxylamine by the corresponding nitroxide can be explained by rapid hydrogen atom transfer between the two species.

Interaction between encapsulated excited organic molecules and free nitroxides: communication across a molecular wall

Communication between two molecules, one confined and excited (triplet or singlet) and one free and paramagnetic, has been explored through quenching of fluorescence and/or phosphorescence by nitroxides as paramagnetic radical species. Quenching of excited states by nitroxides has been investigated in solution, and the mechanism is speculated to involve charge transfer and/or exchange processes, both of which require close orbital interaction between excited molecule and quencher. We show in this report that such a quenching, which involves electron-electron spin communication, can occur even when there is a molecular wall between the two. The excited state molecule is confined within an organic capsule made up of two molecules of a deep cavity cavitand, octa acid, that exists in the anionic form in basic aqueous solution. The nitroxide is kept free in aqueous solution. (1)H NMR and EPR experiments were carried out to ascertain the location of the two molecules. The distance between the excited molecule and the paramagnetic quencher was manipulated by the use of cationic, anionic, and neutral nitroxide and also by selectively including the cationic nitroxide within the cavity of cucurbituril. Results presented here highlight the role of the lifetime of the encounter complex in electron-electron spin communication when the direct orbital overlap between the two molecules is prevented by the intermediary wall.