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Hrebonkin A, Afonin S, Nikitjuka A, Borysov OV, Leitis G, Babii O, Koniev S, Lorig T, Grage SL, Nick P, Ulrich AS, Jirgensons A, Komarov IV. Spiropyran-Based Photoisomerizable α-Amino Acid for Membrane-Active Peptide Modification. Chemistry 2024; 30:e202400066. [PMID: 38366887 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202400066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
Photoisomerizable peptides are promising drug candidates in photopharmacology. While azobenzene- and diarylethene-containing photoisomerizable peptides have already demonstrated their potential in this regard, reports on the use of spiropyrans to photoregulate bioactive peptides are still scarce. This work focuses on the design and synthesis of a spiropyran-derived amino acid, (S)-2-amino-3-(6'-methoxy-1',3',3'-trimethylspiro-[2H-1-benzopyran-2,2'-indolin-6-yl])propanoic acid, which is suitable for the preparation of photoisomerizable peptides. The utility of this amino acid is demonstrated by incorporating it into the backbone of BP100, a known membrane-active peptide, and by examining the photoregulation of the membrane perturbation by the spiropyran-containing peptides. The toxicity of the peptides (against the plant cell line BY-2), their bacteriotoxicity (E. coli), and actin-auxin oscillator modulation ability were shown to be significantly dependent on the photoisomeric state of the spiropyran unit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrii Hrebonkin
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, POB 3640, 76021, Karlsruhe, Germany
- Enamine, Vul. Winstona Churchilla 78, 02094, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Sergii Afonin
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, POB 3640, 76021, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Anna Nikitjuka
- Enamine, Vul. Winstona Churchilla 78, 02094, Kyiv, Ukraine
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Aizkraukles iela 21, 1006, Riga, Latvia
| | - Oleksandr V Borysov
- Enamine, Vul. Winstona Churchilla 78, 02094, Kyiv, Ukraine
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Aizkraukles iela 21, 1006, Riga, Latvia
| | - Gundars Leitis
- Enamine, Vul. Winstona Churchilla 78, 02094, Kyiv, Ukraine
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Aizkraukles iela 21, 1006, Riga, Latvia
| | - Oleg Babii
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, POB 3640, 76021, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Serhii Koniev
- Enamine, Vul. Winstona Churchilla 78, 02094, Kyiv, Ukraine
- Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Vul. Volodymyrska 60, 01601, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Theo Lorig
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, POB 3640, 76021, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Stephan L Grage
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, POB 3640, 76021, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Peter Nick
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, POB 3640, 76021, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Anne S Ulrich
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, POB 3640, 76021, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Aigars Jirgensons
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Aizkraukles iela 21, 1006, Riga, Latvia
| | - Igor V Komarov
- Enamine, Vul. Winstona Churchilla 78, 02094, Kyiv, Ukraine
- Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Vul. Volodymyrska 60, 01601, Kyiv, Ukraine
- Lumobiotics, Auerstraße 2, 76227, Karlsruhe., Germany
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2
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Volarić J, Szymanski W, Simeth NA, Feringa BL. Molecular photoswitches in aqueous environments. Chem Soc Rev 2021; 50:12377-12449. [PMID: 34590636 PMCID: PMC8591629 DOI: 10.1039/d0cs00547a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Molecular photoswitches enable dynamic control of processes with high spatiotemporal precision, using light as external stimulus, and hence are ideal tools for different research areas spanning from chemical biology to smart materials. Photoswitches are typically organic molecules that feature extended aromatic systems to make them responsive to (visible) light. However, this renders them inherently lipophilic, while water-solubility is of crucial importance to apply photoswitchable organic molecules in biological systems, like in the rapidly emerging field of photopharmacology. Several strategies for solubilizing organic molecules in water are known, but there are not yet clear rules for applying them to photoswitchable molecules. Importantly, rendering photoswitches water-soluble has a serious impact on both their photophysical and biological properties, which must be taken into consideration when designing new systems. Altogether, these aspects pose considerable challenges for successfully applying molecular photoswitches in aqueous systems, and in particular in biologically relevant media. In this review, we focus on fully water-soluble photoswitches, such as those used in biological environments, in both in vitro and in vivo studies. We discuss the design principles and prospects for water-soluble photoswitches to inspire and enable their future applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Volarić
- Centre for Systems Chemistry, Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, Faculty for Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Wiktor Szymanski
- Centre for Systems Chemistry, Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, Faculty for Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands.
- Department of Radiology, Medical Imaging Center, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Nadja A Simeth
- Centre for Systems Chemistry, Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, Faculty for Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands.
- Institute for Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry, University of Göttingen, Tammannstr. 2, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ben L Feringa
- Centre for Systems Chemistry, Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, Faculty for Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands.
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Strizhak AV, Babii O, Afonin S, Bakanovich I, Pantelejevs T, Xu W, Fowler E, Eapen R, Sharma K, Platonov MO, Hurmach VV, Itzhaki L, Hyvönen M, Ulrich AS, Spring DR, Komarov IV. Diarylethene moiety as an enthalpy-entropy switch: photoisomerizable stapled peptides for modulating p53/MDM2 interaction. Org Biomol Chem 2021; 18:5359-5369. [PMID: 32390036 DOI: 10.1039/d0ob00831a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Analogs of the known inhibitor (peptide pDI) of the p53/MDM2 protein-protein interaction are reported, which are stapled by linkers bearing a photoisomerizable diarylethene moiety. The corresponding photoisomers possess significantly different affinities to the p53-interacting domain of the human MDM2. Apparent dissociation constants are in the picomolar-to-low nanomolar range for those isomers with diarylethene in the "open" configuration, but up to eight times larger for the corresponding "closed" isomers. Spectroscopic, structural, and computational studies showed that the stapling linkers of the peptides contribute to their binding. Calorimetry revealed that the binding of the "closed" isomers is mostly enthalpy-driven, whereas the "open" photoforms bind to the protein stronger due to their increased binding entropy. The results suggest that conformational dynamics of the protein-peptide complexes may explain the differences in the thermodynamic profiles of the binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander V Strizhak
- University Chemical Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, CB2 1EW Cambridge, UK. and Enamine Ltd, Vul. Chervonotkatska 78, 02094 Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Oleg Babii
- Institute of Biological Interfaces (IBG-2), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), POB 3640, 76021 Karlsruhe, Germany.
| | - Sergii Afonin
- Institute of Biological Interfaces (IBG-2), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), POB 3640, 76021 Karlsruhe, Germany.
| | - Iuliia Bakanovich
- University Chemical Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, CB2 1EW Cambridge, UK. and Enamine Ltd, Vul. Chervonotkatska 78, 02094 Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Teodors Pantelejevs
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Road, CB2 1GA Cambridge, UK
| | - Wenshu Xu
- University Chemical Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, CB2 1EW Cambridge, UK.
| | - Elaine Fowler
- University Chemical Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, CB2 1EW Cambridge, UK.
| | - Rohan Eapen
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, CB2 1PD Cambridge, UK
| | - Krishna Sharma
- University Chemical Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, CB2 1EW Cambridge, UK.
| | | | - Vasyl V Hurmach
- Enamine Ltd, Vul. Chervonotkatska 78, 02094 Kyiv, Ukraine and Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Vul. Volodymyrska 60, 01601 Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Laura Itzhaki
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, CB2 1PD Cambridge, UK
| | - Marko Hyvönen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Road, CB2 1GA Cambridge, UK
| | - Anne S Ulrich
- Institute of Biological Interfaces (IBG-2), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), POB 3640, 76021 Karlsruhe, Germany. and Institute of Organic Chemistry (IOC), KIT, Fritz-Haber-Weg 6, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - David R Spring
- University Chemical Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, CB2 1EW Cambridge, UK.
| | - Igor V Komarov
- Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Vul. Volodymyrska 60, 01601 Kyiv, Ukraine and Lumobiotics GmbH, Auer Str. 2, 76227, Karlsruhe, Germany.
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Uhl E, Wolff F, Mangal S, Dube H, Zanin E. Light-Controlled Cell-Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020; 60:1187-1196. [PMID: 33035402 PMCID: PMC7839536 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202008267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Cell‐cycle interference by small molecules has widely been used to study fundamental biological mechanisms and to treat a great variety of diseases, most notably cancer. However, at present only limited possibilities exist for spatio‐temporal control of the cell cycle. Here we report on a photocaging strategy to reversibly arrest the cell cycle at metaphase or induce apoptosis using blue‐light irradiation. The versatile proteasome inhibitor MG132 is photocaged directly at the reactive aldehyde function effectively masking its biological activity. Upon irradiation reversible cell‐cycle arrest in the metaphase is demonstrated to take place in vivo. Similarly, apoptosis can efficiently be induced by irradiation of human cancer cells. With the developed photopharmacological approach spatio‐temporal control of the cell cycle is thus enabled with very high modulation, as caged MG132 shows no effect on proliferation in the dark. In addition, full compatibility of photo‐controlled uncaging with dynamic microscopy techniques in vivo is demonstrated. This visible‐light responsive tool should be of great value for biological as well as medicinal approaches in need of high‐precision targeting of the proteasome and thereby the cell cycle and apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edgar Uhl
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Department of Chemistry and Center for Integrated Protein Science CIPSM, Butenandtstr. 5-13, 81377, München, Germany
| | - Friederike Wolff
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Center for Integrated Protein Science CIPSM, Department Biology II, Planegg-Martinsried, 82152, München, Germany
| | - Sriyash Mangal
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Center for Integrated Protein Science CIPSM, Department Biology II, Planegg-Martinsried, 82152, München, Germany
| | - Henry Dube
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Department of Chemistry and Center for Integrated Protein Science CIPSM, Butenandtstr. 5-13, 81377, München, Germany.,Current address: Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Str. 10, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Esther Zanin
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Center for Integrated Protein Science CIPSM, Department Biology II, Planegg-Martinsried, 82152, München, Germany
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Uhl E, Wolff F, Mangal S, Dube H, Zanin E. Light‐Controlled Cell‐Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202008267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Edgar Uhl
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München Department of Chemistry and Center for Integrated Protein Science CIPSM Butenandtstr. 5–13 81377 München Germany
| | - Friederike Wolff
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München Center for Integrated Protein Science CIPSM Department Biology II Planegg-Martinsried 82152 München Germany
| | - Sriyash Mangal
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München Center for Integrated Protein Science CIPSM Department Biology II Planegg-Martinsried 82152 München Germany
| | - Henry Dube
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München Department of Chemistry and Center for Integrated Protein Science CIPSM Butenandtstr. 5–13 81377 München Germany
- Current address: Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Str. 10 91058 Erlangen Germany
| | - Esther Zanin
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München Center for Integrated Protein Science CIPSM Department Biology II Planegg-Martinsried 82152 München Germany
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Dcona MM, Mitra K, Hartman MCT. Photocontrolled activation of small molecule cancer therapeutics. RSC Med Chem 2020; 11:982-1002. [PMID: 33479692 PMCID: PMC7513389 DOI: 10.1039/d0md00107d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Conventional treatment of the disease is comprised of chemotherapy, radiation and surgery among other treatment approaches. Chemotherapy is plagued by multiple side-effects caused due to non-specific drug action. Light-based therapies offer an alternative treatment approach that can be fine tuned to achieve the desired effect to treat the disease and address challenges posed by chemotherapeutic side-effects. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is one of the light mediated treatment modalities that has been successfully applied to treat superficial malignancies with high-efficiency, although its dependence on normoxic conditions limits its efficiency to treat deep-seated tumors. On the other hand, light-sensitive drug-mimetics and drug-release platforms have been deemed efficient in preclinical settings to induce cancer cell death with minimal collateral damage. Drawing from about a decade's worth of examples, we highlight the application of photosensitive molecules as an alternative therapeutic option to PDT and describe their designs that influence the biology of the cancer cells, in turn affecting their viability with high spatio-temporal control.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Michael Dcona
- Department of Internal Medicine , Virginia Commonwealth University , 1201 East Marshall Street , Richmond , 23298 , Virginia , USA .
- Massey Cancer Center , 401 College St. , Richmond , 23219 , Virginia , USA
| | - Koushambi Mitra
- Massey Cancer Center , 401 College St. , Richmond , 23219 , Virginia , USA
- Department of Chemistry , Virginia Commonwealth University , 1001 W Main St , Richmond , 23284 , Virginia , USA
| | - Matthew C T Hartman
- Massey Cancer Center , 401 College St. , Richmond , 23219 , Virginia , USA
- Department of Chemistry , Virginia Commonwealth University , 1001 W Main St , Richmond , 23284 , Virginia , USA
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Preußke N, Moormann W, Bamberg K, Lipfert M, Herges R, Sönnichsen FD. Visible-light-driven photocontrol of the Trp-cage protein fold by a diazocine cross-linker. Org Biomol Chem 2020; 18:2650-2660. [PMID: 32207764 DOI: 10.1039/c9ob02442e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Diazocines are characterized by extraordinary photochemical properties rendering them of particular interest for switching the conformation of biomolecules with visible light. Current developments afford synthetic access to unprecedented diazocine derivatives promising particular opportunities in photocontrol of proteins and biological systems. In this work, the well-established approach of photocontrolling the secondary structure of α-helices was exploited using a diazocine to reversibly fold and unfold the tertiary structure of a small protein. The protein of choice was the globulary folded Trp-cage, a widely used model system for the elucidation of protein folding pathways. A specifically designed, short and rigid dicarboxy-functionalized diazocine-based cross-linker was attached to two solvent-exposed side chains at the α-helix of the miniprotein through the use of a primary amine-selective active ester. This cross-linking strategy is orthogonal to the common cysteine-based chemistry. The cross-linked Trp-cage was successfully photoisomerized and exhibited a strong correlation between protein fold and diazocine isomeric state. As determined by NMR spectroscopy, the cis-isomer stabilized the fold, while the trans-isomer led to complete protein unfolding. The successful switching of the protein fold in principle demonstrates the ability to control protein function, as the activity depends on their structural integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils Preußke
- Otto-Diels-Institute for Organic Chemistry, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Otto-Hahn-Platz 4, 24118 Kiel, Germany.
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Albert L, Vázquez O. Photoswitchable peptides for spatiotemporal control of biological functions. Chem Commun (Camb) 2019; 55:10192-10213. [PMID: 31411602 DOI: 10.1039/c9cc03346g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Light is unsurpassed in its ability to modulate biological interactions. Since their discovery, chemists have been fascinated by photosensitive molecules capable of switching between isomeric forms, known as photoswitches. Photoswitchable peptides have been recognized for many years; however, their functional implementation in biological systems has only recently been achieved. Peptides are now acknowledged as excellent protein-protein interaction modulators and have been important in the emergence of photopharmacology. In this review, we briefly explain the different classes of photoswitches and summarize structural studies when they are incorporated into peptides. Importantly, we provide a detailed overview of the rapidly increasing number of examples, where biological modulation is driven by the structural changes. Furthermore, we discuss some of the remaining challenges faced in this field. These exciting proof-of-principle studies highlight the tremendous potential of photocontrollable peptides as optochemical tools for chemical biology and biomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea Albert
- Fachbereich Chemie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Hans-Meerwein-Straße 4, 35043, Marburg, Germany.
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Abstract
The last few years have witnessed significant advances in the use of light as a stimulus to control biomolecular interactions. Great efforts have been devoted to the development of genetically encoded optobiological and small photochromic switches. Newly discovered small molecules now allow researchers to build molecular systems that are sensitive to a wider range of wavelengths of light than ever before with improved switching fidelities and increased lifetimes of the photoactivated states. Because these molecules are relatively small and adopt predictable conformations they are well suited as tools to interrogate cellular function in a spatially and temporally contolled fashion and for applications in photopharmacology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Mart
- School of Chemistry & Cardiff Catalysis Institute, Cardiff University, Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK.
| | - Rudolf K Allemann
- School of Chemistry & Cardiff Catalysis Institute, Cardiff University, Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK.
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Mart RJ, Meah D, Allemann RK. Photocontrolled Exposure of Pro-apoptotic Peptide Sequences in LOV Proteins Modulates Bcl-2 Family Interactions. Chembiochem 2016; 17:698-701. [PMID: 26493687 PMCID: PMC5063126 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201500469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2015] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
LOV domains act as biomolecular sensors for light, oxygen or the environment's redox potential. Conformational changes upon the formation of a covalent cysteinyl flavin adduct are propagated through hydrogen-bonding networks in the core of designed hybrid phototropin LOV2 domains that incorporate the Bcl homology region 3 (BH3) of the key pro-apoptotic protein BH3-interacting-domain death agonist (BID). The resulting change in conformation of a flanking amphiphilic α-helix creates a light-dependent optogenetic tool for the modulation of interactions with the anti-apoptotic B-cell leukaemia-2 (Bcl-2) family member Bcl-xL .
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Mart
- School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK
| | - Dilruba Meah
- School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK
| | - Rudolf K Allemann
- School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK.
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