New phototriggers: extending the p-hydroxyphenacyl pi-pi absorption range

Green Light-Activated Single-Component Organic Fluorescence-Based Nano-Drug Delivery System for Dual Uncaging of Anticancer Drugs

Developing green or red light-activated drug delivery systems (DDSs) for cancer treatment is highly desirable. Herein, we have reported a green light-responsive single component-based organic fluorescence nano-DDS by simply anchoring 2-hydroxy-6-naphthacyl (phototrigger) on both sides of the 1,5-diaminonaphthalene (DAN) chromophore. This green light (λ ≥ 500 nm)-activated DDS released two equivalents of the anticancer drug (valproic acid) in a spatio-temporally controlled manner. Our photoresponsive DDS [DAN-bis(HO-Naph-VPA)] exhibited interesting properties such as excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) accompanied with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) phenomena. AIE initiated the photorelease, and ESIPT enhanced the rate of the photorelease. Further, in vitro studies revealed that our green light-activated nano-DDS exhibited good cytocompatibility, excellent cellular internalization, and effective cancer cell killing ability.

MOFs-based nanoagent enables dual mitochondrial damage in synergistic antitumor therapy via oxidative stress and calcium overload

Targeting subcellular organelle with multilevel damage has shown great promise for antitumor therapy. Here, we report a core-shell type of nanoagent with iron (III) carboxylate metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as shell while upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) as core, which enables near-infrared (NIR) light-triggered synergistically reinforced oxidative stress and calcium overload to mitochondria. The folate decoration on MOFs shells enables efficient cellular uptake of nanoagents. Based on the upconversion ability of UCNPs, NIR light mediates Fe³⁺-to-Fe²⁺ reduction and simultaneously activates the photoacid generator (pHP) encapsulated in MOFs cavities, which enables release of free Fe²⁺ and acidification of intracellular microenvironment, respectively. The overexpressed H₂O₂ in mitochondria, highly reactive Fe²⁺ and acidic milieu synergistically reinforce Fenton reactions for producing lethal hydroxyl radicals (•OH) while plasma photoacidification inducing calcium influx, leading to mitochondria calcium overload. The dual-mitochondria-damage-based therapeutic potency of the nanoagent has been unequivocally confirmed in cell- and patient-derived tumor xenograft models in vivo.

Targeting damage to mitochondria has become an effective strategy antitumor therapies. Here, the authors report on nanoagents with upconversion nanoparticles as cores and photoacid-loaded MOFs as shells for NIR triggered Fenton reaction, acidification and calcium overload to provide synergistic mitochondrial damage.

Real-time monitoring of a photoactivated hydrogen persulfide donor for biological entities

Hydrogen persulfide (H2S2) plays an important role in sulfur-based redox signaling mechanisms. Herein, we developed a visible light activated ESIPT based H2S2 donor using a p-hydroxyphenacyl phototrigger. The unique feature of the designed H2S2 donor system is the ability to monitor the H2S2 release in real time through a non-invasive fluorescence color change approach, with the color changing from green to blue. Next, we demonstrated the detection and quantification of H2S2 using a fluorescein based "turn-on" fluorescent probe. Furthermore, in vitro studies of the designed H2S2 donor demonstrated the real-time monitored H2S2 release and cytoprotective ability in the highly oxidizing cellular environment of MDA-MB-468 cells.

A two-photon responsive naphthyl tagged p-hydroxyphenacyl based drug delivery system: uncaging of anti-cancer drug in the phototherapeutic window with real-time monitoring

A two-photon responsive drug delivery system having two-photon absorption (TPA) in the phototherapeutic window with a two-photon uncaging cross-section ≥10 GM and exhibiting real-time monitoring of anti-cancer drug release.

Light-triggered release of photocaged therapeutics - Where are we now?

The current available therapeutics face several challenges such as the development of ideal drug delivery systems towards the goal of personalized treatments for patients benefit. The application of light as an exogenous activation mechanism has shown promising outcomes, owning to the spatiotemporal confinement of the treatment in the vicinity of the diseased tissue, which offers many intriguing possibilities. Engineering therapeutics with light responsive moieties have been explored to enhance the bioavailability, and drug efficacy either in vitro or in vivo. The tailor-made character turns the so-called photocaged compounds highly desirable to reduce the side effects of drugs and, therefore, have received wide research attention. Herein, we seek to highlight the potential of photocaged compounds to obtain a clear understanding of the mechanisms behind its use in therapeutic delivery. A deep overview on the progress achieved in the design, fabrication as well as current and possible future applications in therapeutics of photocaged compounds is provided, so that novel formulations for biomedical field can be designed.

Novel photoactivatable substrates for Renilla luciferase imaging in vitro and in vivo

To develop a photoactivatable bioluminescence imaging technique, a set of high and efficient photoactivatable substrates for Renilla luciferase has been well designed and synthesized. Surprisingly, all of them could release the free luciferin that presented robust bioluminescent signals ex vivo and in living animals after UV irradiation at 365 nm.

pHP-Tethered N-Acyl Carbamate: A Photocage for Nicotinamide

The synthesis of a new photocaged nicotinamide having an N-acyl carbamate linker and a p-hydroxyphenacyl (pHP) chromophore is described. The photophysical and photochemical studies showed an absorption maximum at λ = 330 nm and a quantum yield for release of 11% that are dependent upon both pH and solvent. While the acyl carbamate releases nicotinamide efficiently, a simpler amide linker was inert to photocleavage. This photocaged nicotinamide has significant advantages with respect to quantum yield, absorbance wavelength, rate of release, and solubility that make it the first practical example of a photocaged amide.

Light triggered uncaging of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) with real-time monitoring

An ESIPT based light activated hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) donor using a p-hydroxyphenacyl phototrigger has been developed. The unique feature of our H₂S donor system is that it provides real-time monitoring of H₂S release by a non-invasive fluorescence colour change approach.

Study on synthesis and bioactivity of biotinylated emodin

A novel compound biotinylated emodin was synthesized by a two-step acyl chloride method which connects the biotin to emodin with esterification reaction. The product was characterized with ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry, fourier transform infrared and high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry techniques. Its antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus CMCC 26003 was investigated, and the emodin- and biotinylated emodin-caused antibacterial mechanism was proposed. It was shown that the product was isolated and activity of emodin was remained. These results indicated that our study provides a kind of chemosynthesis method under mild conditions and a strong molecular tool for investigating the emodin-binding protein.

Mapping Auditory Synaptic Circuits with Photostimulation of Caged Glutamate

Photostimulation of neurons with caged glutamate is a viable tool for mapping the strength and spatial distribution of synaptic networks in living brain slices. In photostimulation experiments, synaptic connectivity is assessed by eliciting action potentials in putative presynaptic neurons via focal photolysis of caged glutamate, while measuring postsynaptic responses via intracellular recordings. Two approaches are commonly used for delivering light to small, defined areas in the slice preparation; an optical fiber-based method and a laser-scanning-based method. In this chapter, we outline the technical bases for using photostimulation of caged glutamate to map synaptic circuits, and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using fiber-based vs. laser-based systems.

Building biomedical materials using photochemical bond cleavage

Light can be used as an external trigger to precisely determine where and when a process is initiated as well as how much of the process is being consumed. Phototriggers are a type of photoresponsive functional group that undergo an irreversible photolysis reaction by selectively breaking a chemical bond, enabling three fundamental functions: the photoactivation of fluorescent and bioactive molecules; the photocleavable degradation of macromolecular materials; and the photorelease of drugs, active groups, or surface charges from carriers and interfaces. With the expanded applications of light-controlled technology, particularly in living systems, new challenges and improvements of phototriggers are required to fulfill the demands for better sensitivity, faster kinetics, and more-demanding biomedical applications. Here, improvements to several conventional phototriggers are highlighted, and their notable, representative biomedical applications and their challenges are discussed.

Isostere-based design of 8-azacoumarin-type photolabile protecting groups: a hydrophilicity-increasing strategy for coumarin-4-ylmethyls

Described is the development of 8-azacoumarin-4-ylmethyl groups as aqueous photolabile protecting groups. A key feature of the strategy is the isosteric replacement of the C7-C8 enol double bond of the Bhc derivative with an amide bond, resulting in conversion of the chromophore from coumarin to 8-azacoumarin. This strategy makes dramatically enhanced water solubility and facile photocleavage possible.

2-Diazo-1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethanone: a versatile photochemical and synthetic reagent

α-Diazo arylketones are well-known substrates for Wolff rearrangement to phenylacetic acids through a ketene intermediate by either thermal or photochemical activation. Likewise, α-substituted p-hydroxyphenacyl (pHP) esters are substrates for photo-Favorskii rearrangements to phenylacetic acids by a different pathway that purportedly involves a cyclopropanone intermediate. In this paper, we show that the photolysis of a series of α-diazo-p-hydroxyacetophenones and p-hydroxyphenacyl (pHP) α-esters both generate the identical rearranged phenylacetates as major products. Since α-diazo-p-hydroxyacetophenone (1a, pHP N2) contains all the necessary functionalities for either Wolff or Favorskii rearrangement, we were prompted to probe this intriguing mechanistic dichotomy under conditions favorable to the photo-Favorskii rearrangement, i.e., photolysis in hydroxylic media. An investigation of the mechanism for conversion of 1a to p-hydroxyphenyl acetic acid (4a) using time-resolved infrared (TRIR) spectroscopy clearly demonstrates the formation of a ketene intermediate that is subsequently trapped by solvent or nucleophiles. The photoreaction of 1a is quenched by oxygen and sensitized by triplet sensitizers and the quantum yields for 1a-c range from 0.19 to a robust 0.25. The lifetime of the triplet, determined by Stern-Volmer quenching, is 31 ns with a rate for appearance of 4a of k = 7.1 × 10(6) s(-1) in aq. acetonitrile (1 : 1 v : v). These studies establish that the primary rearrangement pathway for 1a involves ketene formation in accordance with the photo-Wolff rearrangement. Furthermore we have also demonstrated the synthetic utility of 1a as an esterification and etherification reagent with a variety of substituted α-diazo-p-hydroxyacetophenones, using them as synthons for efficiently coupling it to acids and phenols to produce pHP protect substrates.

An optical fiber-based uncaging system

This article describes the assembly and performance of a simple and inexpensive ultraviolet-flash system suitable for rapid focal photolysis of caged compounds in cultured neurons and brain slices. Advantages and limitations of this system are discussed. Examples are provided illustrating how this system can be used for stimulating neurons and mapping their functional inputs in brain slices.

Applications of p-hydroxyphenacyl (pHP) and coumarin-4-ylmethyl photoremovable protecting groups

Most applications of photoremovable protecting groups have used o-nitrobenzyl compounds and their (often commercially available) derivatives that, however, have several disadvantages. The focus of this review is on applications of the more recently developed title compounds, which are especially well suited for time-resolved biochemical and physiological investigations, because they release the caged substrates in high yield within a few nanoseconds or less. Together, these two chromophores cover the action spectrum for photorelease from >700 nm to 250 nm.

Dual wavelength photoactivation of cAMP- and cGMP-dependent protein kinase signaling pathways

The spatial and temporal organization of biological systems offers a level of complexity that is challenging to probe with conventional reagents. Photoactivatable (caged) compounds represent one strategy by which spatiotemporal organizational complexities can be addressed. However, since the vast majority of caged species are triggered by UV light, it is not feasible to orthogonally control two or more spatiotemporal elements of the phenomenon under investigation. For example, the cGMP- and cAMP-dependent protein kinases are highly homologous enzymes, separated in time and space, which mediate the phosphorylation of both distinct and common protein substrates. However, current technology is unable to discriminate, in a temporally or spatially selective fashion, between these enzymes and/or the pathways they influence. We describe herein the intracellular triggering of a cGMP-mediated pathway with 360 nm light and the corresponding cAMP-mediated pathway with 440 nm light. Dual wavelength photoactivation was assessed in A10 cells by monitoring the phosphorylation of vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP), a known substrate for both the cAMP- and cGMP-dependent protein kinases. Illumination at 440 nm elicits a cAMP-dependent phosphorylation of VASP at Ser157, whereas 360 nm exposure triggers the phosphorylation of both Ser157 and Ser239. This is the first example of wavelength-distinct activation of two separate nodes of a common signaling pathway.

The power of solvent in altering the course of photorearrangements

A clean bifurcation between two important photochemical reactions through competition of a triplet state Type II H-abstraction reaction with a photo-Favorskii rearrangement for (o/p)-hydroxy-o-methylphenacyl esters that depends on the water content of the solvent has been established. The switch from the anhydrous Type II pathway that yields indanones to the aqueous-dependent pathway producing benzofuranones occurs abruptly at low water concentrations (~8%). The surprisingly clean yields suggest that such reactions are synthetically promising.

p-Hydroxyphenacyl photoremovable protecting groups - Robust photochemistry despite substituent diversity

A broadly based investigation of the effects of a diverse array of substituents on the photochemical rearrangement of p-hydroxyphenacyl esters has demonstrated that common substituents such as F, MeO, CN, CO2R, CONH2, and CH3 have little effect on the rate and quantum efficiencies for the photo-Favorskii rearrangement and the release of the acid leaving group or on the lifetimes of the reactive triplet state. A decrease in the quantum yields across all substituents was observed for the release and rearrangement when the photolyses were carried out in buffered aqueous media at pHs that exceeded the ground-state pKa of the chromophore where the conjugate base is the predominant form. Otherwise, substituents have only a very modest effect on the photoreaction of these robust chromophores.

Photoactivatable fluorescein derivatives with azidomethyl caging groups for tracing oligonucleotides in living human cells

A new photocaged fluorescent compound, azidomethyl fluorescein, was successfully utilized to monitor the dynamics of oligonucleotides in living human cells.

Competing pathways in the photo-Favorskii rearrangement and release of esters: studies on fluorinated p-hydroxyphenacyl-caged GABA and glutamate phototriggers

Three new trifluoromethylated p-hydroxyphenacyl (pHP)-caged gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate (Glu) derivatives have been examined for their efficacy as photoremovable protecting groups in aqueous solution. Through the replacement of hydrogen with fluorine, e.g., a m-trifluoromethyl or a m-trifluoromethoxy versus m-methoxy substituents on the pHP chromophore, modest increases in the quantum yields for the release of amino acids GABA and glutamate as well as improved lipophilicity were realized. The pHP triplet undergoes a photo-Favorskii rearrangement with concomitant release of the amino acid substrate. Deprotonation competes with the rearrangement from the triplet excited state and yields the pHP conjugate base that, upon reprotonation, regenerates the starting ketoester, a chemically unproductive or "energy-wasting" process. When picosecond pump-probe spectroscopy is employed, GABA derivatives 2-5 are characterized by short triplet lifetimes, a manifestation of their rapid release of GABA. The bioavailability of released GABA at the GABA(A) receptor improved when the release took place from m-OCF3 (2) but decreased for m-CF3 (3) when compared with the parent pHP derivative. These studies demonstrate that pKa and lipophilicity exert significant but sometimes opposing influences on the photochemistry and biological activity of pHP phototriggers.

A new photolabile protecting group for release of carboxylic acids by visible-light-induced direct and mediated electron transfer

A new aqueous-compatible photoinduced electron transfer based photolabile protecting group has been developed for the release of carboxylic acids. The reduction potential of this group is more positive than previous systems, thereby allowing the use of sensitizers with modest oxidation potentials. Release of several carboxylic acids has been demonstrated using tris(bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) as both a direct sensitizer and a mediator for electron transfer between a good donor and the protecting group.

Caged molecules: principles and practical considerations

A caged molecule is an inert but photosensitive molecule that is transformed by photolysis into a biologically active molecule at high speed (typically 1 msec). The process is referred to as photorelease. The spatial resolution of photorelease is limited by the properties of light; submicrometer resolution is potentially achievable. Therefore, focal photorelease of caged molecules enables one to control biological processes with high spatio-temporal precision. The principles underlying caged molecules as well as practical considerations for their use are discussed in this unit.

Fluorinated photoremovable protecting groups: the influence of fluoro substituents on the photo-Favorskii rearrangement

To further explore the nature of the photo-Favorskii rearrangement and its commitment to substrate photorelease from p-hydroxyphenacyl (pHP), an array of ten new fluorinated pHP gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) derivatives was synthesized and photolyzed. The effects of fluorine substitution on the chromophore and the photophysical and photochemical properties of these new chromophores were shown to be derived primarily from the changes in the ground state pK(a) of the phenolic groups. The quantum yields and rate constants for release are clustered around Phi(dis) = 0.20 +/- 0.05 and k(r) = 8 +/- 7 x 10(7) s(-1) (H2O), respectively. The triplet lifetimes of the pHP GABA derivatives were concentrated in the range of 0.4-6.0 ns (H2O). The corresponding deprotonated conjugate bases displayed reduced efficiencies by 50% or more (one exception) and exhibited a weak fluorescence in pH 8.2 buffer. Pump-probe spectroscopy studies have further defined the rates of intersystem crossing and the lifetimes of the reactive triplet state of the fluoro pHP chromophore.

A Theoretical Investigation of P-Hydroxyphenacyl Caged Phototrigger Compounds: How Water Induces the Photodeprotection and Subsequent Rearrangement Reactions

Complete active-space self-consistent field (CASSCF) calculations with a (14,11) active space and density functional theory calculations followed by Car-Parrinello molecular dynamic simulations are reported for the p-hydroxyphenacyl acetate, diethyl phosphate, and diphenyl phosphate phototrigger compounds. These calculations considered the explicit hydrogen bonding of water molecules to the phototrigger compound and help reveal the role of water in promoting the photodeprotection and subsequent rearrangement reactions for the p-hydroxyphenacyl caged phototrigger compounds experimentally observed in the presence of appreciable amounts of water but not observed in neat nonproton solvents like acetonitrile. The 267 nm excitation of the phototrigger compounds leads to an instantaneous population of the S3(1pipi*) state Franck-Condon region, which is followed by an internal conversion deactivation route to the S1(1npi*) state via a 1pipi*/1npi* vibronic coupling. The shorter lifetime of the S1(1npi*) state (approximately 1 ps) starting from the FC geometry is terminated by a fast intersystem crossing at a 3pipi*/3npi* intersection with a structure of mixed pipi*/npi* excitation in the triplet state. The deprotection reaction is triggered by a proton (or hydrogen atom) transfer assisted by water bridges and emanates from this pipi*/npi* triplet state intersection. With the departure of the leaving group, the reaction evolves into a water-mediated post-deprotection phase where the spin inversion of pQM (X, 3A) leads to a spiroketone in the ground state by a cyclization process that is followed by an attack of water to produce a 1,1'-di-hydroxyl-spiroketone. Finally, the H atom of the hydroxyl in 1,1'-di-hydroxyl-spiroketon transfers back to the p-O atom aided by water molecules to generate the p-hydroxyphenyl-acetic acid final rearrangement product.

Biologically active molecules with a "light switch"

Biologically active compounds which are light-responsive offer experimental possibilities which are otherwise very difficult to achieve. Since light can be manipulated very precisely, for example, with lasers and microscopes rapid jumps in concentration of the active form of molecules are possible with exact control of the area, time, and dosage. The development of such strategies started in the 1970s. This review summarizes new developments of the last five years and deals with "small molecules", proteins, and nucleic acids which can either be irreversibly activated with light (these compounds are referred to as "caged compounds") or reversibly switched between an active and an inactive state.

Spatial photorelease of oligonucleotides, using a safety-catch photolabile linker

[reaction: see text] We report the development of a safety-catch photolabile linker that allows the light-directed synthesis and spatially selective photorelease of oligonucleotides from microarrays. The linker remains stable to light during DNA synthesis, and is activated for photorelease after acidic hydrolysis. We demonstrate that the photoreleased oligonucleotides can be amplified by PCR to produce double stranded DNA. The advantages offered by this linker could aid the development of an automated gene synthesis platform.

Femtosecond Transient Absorption and Nanosecond Time-Resolved Resonance Raman Study of the Solvent-Dependent Photo-Deprotection Reaction of Benzoin Diethyl Phosphate

A combined femtosecond transient absorption (fs-TA) and nanosecond time-resolved resonance Raman (ns-TR3) study was performed to directly detect the dynamics and elucidate the mechanism of the excited state deactivation and solvent-dependent photo-deprotection pathways for benzoin diethyl phosphate (BDP) in neat acetonitrile (MeCN) and 75 % H2O/25 % MeCN. Comparison of the TA spectral evolution observed in the two solvents provides explicit evidence that the photophysical deactivation of the BDP singlet excited state has little solvent dependence. The TA spectra also indicate the related internal conversion (IC) and intersystem crossing (ISC) processes occur rapidly on hundreds of femtoseconds and approximately 2-3 ps time scales, respectively. From this and in conjunction with a photochemistry study and ground state resonance Raman (RR) measurements, the TA results reveal that the phenacyl localized BDP triplet state (that is mainly npi* nature) is the common and immediate precursor to the photo-deprotection reaction in both solvents. However, the triplet deprotection follows different pathways in neat MeCN versus the largely water containing solvent. The deprotection reaction in MeCN was determined to occur with a approximately 11 ns time constant and the reaction was found to be an unimolecular process leading to elimination of the diethyl phosphoric acid apparently concurrent with cyclization to yield the benzofuran product. In the water mixed solvent, the triplet reaction was observed to proceed with a approximately 15 ns time constant and the reaction leads to not only the deprotection-cyclization but also a heterolytic dissociation to release the diethyl phosphate anion through a branching and competing mechanism. The ns-TR3 spectra combined with relevant DFT calculations have been used to characterize the dynamics, structure and vibrational frequencies to help identify the important intermediates as well as to explore the reaction pathway leading to formation of the solvolysis product in the largely water solvent. A consecutive mechanism has been revealed for the heterolysis-solvolysis reaction in the water mixed solvent. The present work provides direct and irrevocable evidence for the dynamics and mechanistic description of the overall photophysics and deprotection related photochemistry for BDP.

A Theoretical Investigation of p-Hydroxyphenacyl Caged Phototrigger Compounds: An Examination of the Excited State Photochemistry of p-Hydroxyphenacyl Acetate

Ab initio and density functional theory methods were employed to study the excited states and potential energy surfaces of the p-hydoxyphenacyl acetate (HPA) phototrigger compound. Complete active space (CAS) ab initio calculations predicted adiabatic electronic transition energies for the HPA-T(1)((3)npi), HPA-T(2)((3)pipi), HPA-S(1)((1)npi), HPA-T(3)((3)npi), HPA-S(2)((1)npi), HPA-S(3)((1)pipi) <-- HPA-S(0) transitions that were similar to and in agreement with those found experimentally for closely related aromatic ketones such as p-hydroxyacetophenone and results from similar calculations for other related aromatic carbonyl systems. The alpha or beta bond cleavage reactions from the S(1) excited state were both found to have relatively high barriers to reaction, and the S(1), T(1), and T(2) states are close in energy with the three S(1)((1)npi), T(1)((3)npi), and T(2)((3)pipi) surfaces intersecting at the same region. The calculations suggest that intersystem crossing (ISC) can occur very fast from the S(1) state to the nearby triplet states. This is consistent with results from ultrafast spectroscopy experiments that observe the S(1) state ISC occurs within about 1-2 ps to produce a triplet state for HPA and related pHP compounds. The alpha and beta bond cleavage reactions for the T(1) state of HPA are both predicted to have fairly high barriers and compete with one another. However, this is not completely consistent with experiments that observe the photodeprotection reactions (e.g. the beta bond cleavage) of HPA and some other pHP phototriggers in largely water containing solvents are predominant and occur very fast to release the leaving group. Comparison of the computational results with experimental results for HPA and related pHP compounds suggests that water molecules likely play an important part in changing the triplet state beta bond cleavage so that it becomes the predominant pathway and occurs very fast to give an efficient deprotection reaction. The results reported here provide new insight into the photophysics, reaction pathways, and photochemistry of the p-hydoxyphenacyl acetate and related pHP caged phototrigger compounds and also provide a benchmark for further and more sophisticated investigations in the future.

New Photoremovable Protecting Groups for Carboxylic Acids with High Photolytic Efficiencies at Near-UV Irradiation. Application to the Photocontrolled Release of L-Glutamate

We report here the syntheses and the photolytic properties of 3-(4,5-dimethoxy-2-nitrophenyl)-2-butyl (DMNPB) esters as new photoremovable groups for carboxylic acids, and their use for the caging of L-glutamate. A high-yielding synthesis of the DMNPB esters led to a 4:1 threo/erythro diastereomeric mixture, which could be separated by HPLC. While these esters were stable in neutral buffer, photolysis at 364 nm induced a > or =95 % release of the carboxylic acid, with a 0.26 quantum yield for L-glutamate formation. L-Glutamate release was also possible by two-photon photolysis with an action cross section of 0.17 GM at 720 nm. Laser photolysis at 350 nm generated a transient species at around 410 nm, attributed to a quinonoid aci-nitro intermediate that decayed in the submillisecond time range (t(1/2)=0.53 ms) for the faster gamma-L-glutamyl threo-esters. Given the absorbance of these esters (lambda(max)=350 nm; epsilon=4500), the threo DMNPB esters represent new caging groups that can be efficiently photolyzed at near-UV wavelengths. An efficient and rapid photolytic release of L-glutamate has been demonstrated on hippocampal neurons in primary culture.

Ultrafast Time-Resolved Transient Absorption and Resonance Raman Spectroscopy Study of the Photodeprotection and Rearrangement Reactions of p-Hydroxyphenacyl Caged Phosphates

The kinetics and mechanism of the photodeprotection and rearrangement reactions for the pHP phototrigger compounds p-hydroxyphenacyl diethyl phosphate (HPDP) and diphenyl phosphate (HPPP) were studied using transient absorption (TA) and picosecond time-resolved resonance Raman (ps-TR(3)) spectroscopy. TA spectroscopy was employed to detect the dynamics of the triplet precursor decay as well as to investigate the influence of the solvent and leaving group on the triplet quenching process. Ps-TR(3) spectroscopy was used to directly monitor the formation dynamics for the photosolvolytic rearrangement product and its solvent and leaving group dependence. The TA and TR(3) spectroscopy experiments were also used to characterize the structural and electronic properties of the triplet precursor to the HPDP and HPPP deprotection reactions. The solvent effect observed in conjunction with the leaving group dependence of the triplet decay dynamics are consistent with a concerted solvent assisted triplet cleavage through a heterolytic mechanism for the HPDP and HPPP photodeprotection process. Correlation of the dynamics between the deprotection and rearrangement processes reveals there is a consecutive mechanism and the involvement of an intermediate between the two reaction steps. The reaction rate of the deprotection and rearrangement steps and the influence of the solvent and leaving group were determined and evaluated based on kinetic modeling of the dynamical data obtained experimentally for HPDP and HPPP in H(2)O/MeCN mixed solvents with varying water concentration in the solvent system. A solvation complex with a contact ion pair character was proposed to be the intermediate involved in the deprotection and rearrangement pathway. The results here combined with our previous study on the photophysical events occurring on the early picosecond time scale (Ma; et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2005, 127, 1463-1472) provide a real time overall mechanistic description for the photodeprotection and rearrangement reactions of pHP caged phosphate phototrigger compounds.

Time-Resolved Resonance Raman and Density Functional Theory Study of the Deprotonation Reaction of the Triplet State of p-Hydroxyacetophenone in Water Solution

[reaction; see text] Picosecond and nanosecond time-resolved resonance Raman (TR(3)) spectroscopy was employed to investigate the deprotonation/ionization reaction of p-hydroxyacetophenone (HA) after ultraviolet photolysis in water solution. The TR(3) spectra in conjunction with density functional theory (DFT) calculations were used to characterize the structure and dynamics of the excited-state HA deprotonation to form HA anions in near neutral water solvent. DFT calculations based on a solute-solvent intermolecular H-bonded complex model containing up to three water molecules were used to evaluate the H-bond interactions and their influence on the deprotonation reaction and the structures of the intermediates. The deprotonation reaction was found to occur on the triplet manifold with a planar H-bonded HA triplet complex as the precursor species. The HA triplet species is generated within several picoseconds and then decays with a approximately 10 ns time constant to produce the HA triplet anion species after 267 nm photolysis of HA in water solution. The triplet anion species was observed to decay with a time constant of about 90 ns into the ground-state anion species that was found to have a lifetime of about 200 ns. The DFT calculations on the H-bonded complexes of the anion triplet and ground-states species suggest that these anion species are H-bonded complexes with planar quinonoidal structures containing two water molecules H-bonded, respectively, with oxygen lone pairs of the carbonyl and deprotonated hydroxyl moieties. A deactivation scheme of the photoexcited HA in regard to the deprotonation reaction in neutral water solutions was proposed. With the above dynamic and structural information available, we briefly discuss the possible implications of the model HA photochemistry in water solutions for the photodeprotection reactions of related p-HP phototrigger compounds in aqueous solutions.

Phytotoxins from Hofmeisteria schaffneri: isolation and synthesis of 2'-(2' '-hydroxy-4' '-methylphenyl)-2'-oxoethyl acetate1

Activity-directed fractionation of a CH(2)Cl(2)-MeOH (1:1) extract of Hofmeisteria schaffneri led to the isolation of a new phytotoxin characterized as 2'-(2' '-hydroxy-4' '-methylphenyl)-2'-oxoethyl acetate and designated the trivial name of hofmeisterin (1). In addition, the known compounds beta-carotene, euparin, and 3',4',4a',9a'-tetrahydro-6,7'-dimethylspiro[benzofuran-3(2H),2'-pyrano[2,3-b]benzofuran]-2,4a'-diol (2) were obtained. The identification of the isolates was accomplished by spectroscopic methods. The structure of 1 was unequivocally confirmed by synthesis. The methyl derivative 1a was also synthesized following the same strategy. Compounds 1 and 2 inhibited radicle growth of Amaranthus hypochondriacus (IC(50) = 3.2 x 10(-4) and 1.2 x 10(-5) M, respectively) and significantly inhibited activation of the calmodulin (CaM)-dependent enzyme cAMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) with IC(50) values of 4.4 and 4.22 microM, respectively.