Hydration water drives the self-assembly of guanosine monophosphate

Guanosine monophosphate (GMP) is a nucleotide that can self-assemble in aqueous solution under certain conditions. An understanding of the process at the molecular level is an essential step to comprehend the involvement of DNA substructures in transcription and replication, as well as their relationship to genetic diseases such as cancer. We present the temperature-dependent terahertz (1.5-12 THz, 50-400 cm-1) absorptivity spectra of aqueous Na2 GMP solution in comparison with the aqueous solutions of other RNA nucleotides. Distinct absorption features were observed in the spectrum of GMP, which we attribute to the intramolecular modes of the self-assemblies (i.e., G-complexes) that, at 1 M, start to form at 313 K and below. Changes in broad-band features of the terahertz spectrum were also observed, which we associate with the release of hydration water in the temperature-dependent formation of guanine quadruplexes. Using a state-of-the-art THz calorimetry approach correlating spectroscopic to thermodynamic changes, we propose a molecular mechanism of hydrophilic hydration driving GMP self-assembly as a function of temperature. The free energy contribution of hydrophilic hydration is shown as a decisive factor in guanine-quadruplex formation. Our findings spotlight the role of hydration in the formation of macromolecular structures and suggest the potential of hydration tuning for regulating DNA transcription and replication.

Functionalised organometallic photoswitches containing dihydropyrene units

Functionalising organic molecular photoswitches with metal complexes has been shown to alter and enhance their switching states. These organometallic photoswitches provide a promising basis for novel smart molecular materials and molecular electronic devices. We have detailed the synthesis and characterisation of mono- and bimetallic half-sandwich ruthenium and iron complexes functionalised with alkynyl dihydropyrenes (DHP). Their electronic and photophysical properties were determined by the use of chemical, electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical techniques. The introduction of the metal alkynyl moiety allows access to additional redox and protonation states not accessible by the DHP alone. An additional metal alkynyl moiety inhibits observable photochromic switching. Analysis of the NIR and IR bands in the mixed valence complexes suggests there is a high degree of charge delocalisation across the DHP.

Inert Transition Metal Ion Complexes in Organic Synthesis: Protection and Activation

Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies for a variety of metal ion complexes of functionalised sarcophagines (sarcophagine=sar=3,6,10,13,16,19-hexa-azabicyclo[6.6.6]icosane) have further confirmed not only that the form of the metal ion/sar unit is unique for each metal, albeit with a sensitivity of the conformation to the associated counter anions, but also that for any given metal and ligand substituent, the dimensions (bond lengths and angles) of the complex and the substituent at the secondary nitrogen centres do not differ significantly from those of the isolated components. Despite this, where the substituent contains reactive sites, the reactivity differs markedly from that of their form in an uncoordinated substrate. Rationalisations are offered for these differences, in part through the use of Hirshfeld surface analysis of the intermolecular interactions. The kinetic inertness of the complexes means that the metal ions can be considered to act as regioselective protecting groups.

Dendrillic Acids A and B: Nitrogenous, Rearranged Spongian Nor-Diterpenes from a Dendrilla sp. Marine Sponge

Two nitrogenous rearranged spongian nor-diterpenoids, dendrillic acids A and B, were isolated from a marine sponge Dendrilla sp. (order: Dendroceratida; family: Darwinellidae). The structures of the metabolites were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis as well as density functional theory prediction of NMR chemical shifts and application of the DP4+ algorithm. The absolute configuration of the metabolites was established via comparison of experimental and time-dependent density functional theory predicted electronic circular dichroism data. An unusual epimerization reaction was observed leading to the interconversion of the metabolites upon storage in dimethyl sulfoxide solution, which is proposed to proceed via an anionic pathway as probed via isotopic incorporation experiments. Evaluation against a panel of micro-organisms and cell lines revealed that the compounds were devoid of any significant biological activity against all organisms tested, with the exception of mild antiprotozoal activity displayed by dendrillic acid B (2) against Giardia duodenalis.

Solution-phase decomposition of ferrocene into wüstite-iron oxide core-shell nanoparticles

We report an improved method for the controlled solvent-phase decomposition of ferrocene into highly crystalline monodisperse iron oxide nanoparticles at relatively low temperatures. Solution-phase decomposition of ferrocene into nanoparticles has received little attention in the literature, due to the percieved stability of ferrocene. However, we synthesised wüstite FeO-iron oxide core-shell nanoparticles by thermally decomposing ferrocene in 1-octadecene solvent and in the presence of oleic acid and oleylamine, as surfactants. We report procedures that provide cubic and spherical core-shell iron oxide nanoparticles whose size (29.3 ± 2.3 nm for spheres, 38.6 ± 6.9 nm for distorted cubes and 23.5 ± 2.4 nm for distorted cubes with concave faces) and shape can be controlled through simple adjustments to reaction parameters. Transmission electron microscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, electron energy-loss spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction analysis methods were used to characterise the nanoparticles.

Isotope-Coded Maleimide Affinity Tags for Proteomics Applications

Isotope-coded affinity tags (ICATs) are valuable tools for mass spectrometry-based quantitative proteomics, in particular, for comparison of protein (cysteine-residue) thiol oxidation state in normal, stressed, and diseased tissue. However, the iodoacetamido electrophile used in most commercial ICATs suffers from poor thiol-selectivity and modest rates of adduct formation, which can lead to spurious results. Hence, we designed and synthesized three ICATs containing thiol-selective N-alkylmaleimide electrophiles (isotope-coded maleimide affinity tags = ICMATs) and assessed these as mass spectrometry probes for ratiometric analysis of lysozyme and muscle proteomes. Two ICMAT pairs containing butylene/D₈-butylene linkers were effective MS probes, but not ideal for typical proteomics workflows, because peptides bearing these tags frequently did not coelute with HPLC. A switch to a phenylene/¹³C₆-phenylene linker solved this issue without compromising the efficiency of adduct formation.

Structure Reassignment of Echinosulfone A and the Echinosulfonic Acids A-D Supported by Single-Crystal X-ray Diffraction and Density Functional Theory Analysis

Two previously reported bis-indole alkaloids, echinosulfone A and echinosulfonic acid B, have been isolated for the first time from a Western Australian marine sponge, Crella sp. (order: Poecilosclerida, family: Crellidae). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction of a decomposition product of echinosulfone A prompted our investigation and subsequent structure reassignment of the echinosulfonic acid natural product family, which we report here. The reassignments are supported by analysis of 1D and 2D NMR data, MS fragmentation, and DFT calculations of ¹³C NMR shifts.

Rh(I)(2,5-norbornadiene)(biphenyl)(tris(4-fluorophenyl)phosphine): Synthesis, Characterization, and Application as an Initiator in the Stereoregular (Co)Polymerization of Phenylacetylenes

The synthesis of the Rh(I)-aryl complex, Rh(I)(nbd)(BiPh)(P(4-FC₆H₄)₃) is reported and its efficacy as an initiator for the (co)polymerization of phenylacetylenes established. The X-ray crystal structure indicates that the complex adopts a slightly distorted square planar geometry whose purity and structure was also confirmed by elemental analysis and ¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P, ¹⁹F, ¹⁰³Rh, and ³¹P-¹⁰³Rh{¹H} HMQC NMR spectroscopy. We demonstrate that Rh(I)(nbd)(BiPh)(P(4-FC₆H₄)₃) mediates the (co)polymerization of phenylacetylenes in a controlled fashion with initiation efficiencies as high as 0.98, as evidenced by the pseudo-first-order kinetic and number-average molecular weight versus conversion profiles. The ability to form well-defined AB diblock copolymers, in a stereoregular manner, by sequential monomer addition is verified in the block copolymerization of phenylacetylene with 4-fluorophenylacetylene with quantitative crossover efficiency, as determined by size exclusion chromatography.

Synthetic copolymer conjugates of docetaxel and in vitro assessment of anticancer efficacy

Docetaxel (DTX) is a widely used chemotherapy drug that is associated with numerous side effects and limited bioavailability. We show synthetic copolymer conjugates of docetaxel with drug loading up to 20% and assess their efficacy in MCF-7 cells.

Structural Variations in the Complete Series of Lanthanoid Complexes of a Calix[4]arene Trisamide

Lanthanoid picrate (pic) complexes of 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-25-hydroxy-26,27,28-tris(diethylcarbamoylmethoxy)calix[4]arene (LH) have been synthesised and structurally characterised, to complete this series for all lanthanoids (other than promethium). From cerium to lutetium, three structural types are observed: Type I, [Ln(L)(O,O′-pic)](pic), Ln=Ce–Dy; Type II, [Ln(L)(O-pic)](pic), Ln=Tb, Ho; Type III, [Ln(L)(HOEt)](pic)2, Ln=Er–Lu. With lanthanum, three different ten-coordinate complexes were characterised; [Ln(L)(O,O′-pic)(HOEt)](pic), [Ln(L)(O,O′-pic)(OH2)](pic), and [Ln(L)(O,O′-pic)(HOMe)](pic). The crystallisation of Type I and II observed for terbium shows that the stability of the different structures are sensitively poised at the transition points. Nevertheless, the structures show that the vacant space in the coordination sphere left by the trisamide L tends to reduce across the series as expected. It is occupied by a bidentate picrate anion and unidentate solvent molecule with lanthanum, a bidentate picrate anion for cerium to dysprosium (Type I), a unidentate picrate anion for terbium and holmium (Type II), and finally a unidentate solvent molecule from erbium to lutetium (Type III). The coordination number thus reduces from 10 to 8 across the series.

A (2-(naphthalen-2-yl)phenyl)rhodium(i) complex formed by a proposed intramolecular 1,4-ortho-to-ortho' Rh metal-atom migration and its efficacy as an initiator in the controlled stereospecific polymerisation of phenylacetylene

The synthesis of a novel Rh(i)-aryl complex is detailed and its ability to serve as an initiator in the stereospecific polymerisation of phenylacetylene evaluated. Targeting the Rh(i) species, (2-phenylnaphthalen-1-yl)rhodium(i)(2,5-norbornadiene)tris(para-fluorophenylphosphine), Rh(nbd)(P(4-FC₆H₄)₃)(2-PhNapth), following recrystallization we obtained the isomeric (2-(naphthalen-2-yl)phenyl)rhodium(i) complex, Rh(nbd)(P(4-FC₆H₄)₃)(2-NapthPh), as determined by X-ray single-crystal structure analysis, and confirmed by X-ray powder diffraction. The isolation of the latter species was proposed to occur from the target (2-PhNapth) derivative via an intramolecular 1,4-Rh atom migration. This supposition was supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations that indicated the isolated (2-NapthPh) derivative has lower energy (-19 kJ mol^-1) than the targeted complex. The structure of the isolated (2-NapthPh) species was confirmed by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy including 2D ³¹P-¹⁰³Rh{¹H, ¹⁰³Rh}, heteronuclear multiple-quantum correlation (HMQC) experiments; however, NMR analysis indicated the presence of a second, minor species in solution in an approximate 1 : 4 ratio with the 2-NapthPh complex. The minor species was identified as a second structural isomer, the 3-phenylnaphthyl derivative, proposed to be formed under a dynamic equilibrium with the 2-NapthPh derivative via a second 1,4-Rh atom migration. DFT calculations indicate that this 1,4-migration proceeds through a low-energy pathway involved in the oxidative addition of a C-H bond to Rh followed by a reductive elimination with the distribution of the products being thermodynamically controlled. The recrystallized Rh(nbd)(P(4-FC₆H₄)₃)(2-NapthPh) complex was subsequently evaluated as an initiator in the polymerisation of phenylacetylene (PA); gratifyingly, the Rh(i) species was an active initiating species with the pseudo-first-order kinetic and molecular weight evolution vs time plots both linear implying a controlled polymerisation while yielding (co)polymers with low dispersities (Đ = M_w/M_n typically ≤1.25) and high cis-transoidal stereoregularity (>95%). Typical initiation efficiencies, while not quantitative (as judged by size exclusion chromatography), were nonetheless high at ca. 0.8. The presence of the minor 3-phenylnaphthyl species when in solution is proposed to be the cause of the observed non-quantitative initiation.

Identity and Activity of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid Metabolites in Wild Radish ( Raphanus raphanistrum)

Synthetic auxin herbicides, such as 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), are widely used for selective control of broadleaf weeds in cereals and transgenic crops. Although the troublesome weed wild radish ( Raphanus raphanistrum) has developed resistance to 2,4-D, no populations have yet displayed an enhanced capacity for metabolic detoxification of the herbicide, with both susceptible and resistant wild radish plants readily metabolizing 2,4-D. Using mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance, the major 2,4-D metabolite was identified as the glucose ester, and its structure was confirmed by synthesis. As expected, both the endogenous and synthetic compounds retained auxin activity in a bioassay. The lack of detectable 2,4-D hydroxylation in wild radish and the lability of the glucose ester suggest that metabolic 2,4-D resistance is unlikely to develop in this species.

Control over cyclisation sequences of 1,1′-bifunctional octamethylferrocenes to ferrocenophanes

This paper describes the facile synthesis of a number of electron rich octamethyl[1.4]ferrocenophanes with unsaturated handles from 1,1′-bis(1-chlorovinyl)octamethylferrocene.

An azobenzene-based photoswitchable crystal growth modifier

An azobenzene derivative reversibly switches to a less effective crystal growth modifier of calcite when irradiated by UV light.

Spacing-dependent dipolar interactions in dendronized magnetic iron oxide nanoparticle 2D arrays and powders

Self-assembly of nanoparticles (NPs) into tailored structures is a promising strategy for the production and design of materials with new functions. In this work, 2D arrays of iron oxide NPs with interparticle distances tuned by grafting fatty acids and dendritic molecules at the NPs surface have been obtained over large areas with high density using the Langmuir-Blodgett technique. The anchoring agent of molecules and the Janus structure of NPs are shown to be key parameters driving the deposition. Finally the influence of interparticle distance on the collective magnetic properties in powders and in monolayers is clearly demonstrated by DC and AC SQUID measurements. The blocking temperature T(B) increases as the interparticle distance decreases, which is consistent with the fact that dipolar interactions are responsible for this increase. Dipolar interactions are found to be stronger for particles assembled in thin films compared to powdered samples and may be described by using the Vogel Fulcher model.

Magnetism in gold nanoparticles

Gold nanoparticles currently elicit an intense and very broad research activity because of their peculiar properties. Be it in catalysis, optics, electronics, sensing or theranostics, new applications are found daily for these materials. Approximately a decade ago a report was published with magnetometry data showing that gold nanoparticles, most surprisingly, could also be magnetic, with features that the usual rules of magnetism were unable to explain. Many ensuing experimental papers confirmed this observation, although the reported magnetic behaviours showed a great variability, for unclear reasons. In this review, most of the experimental facts pertaining to "magnetic gold" are summarized. The various theories put forth for explaining this unexpected magnetism are presented and discussed. We show that despite much effort, a satisfying explanation is still lacking and that the field of hypotheses should perhaps be widened.

Liquid-crystalline nanoparticles: Hybrid design and mesophase structures

Liquid-crystalline nanoparticles represent an exciting class of new materials for a variety of potential applications. By combining supramolecular ordering with the fluid properties of the liquid-crystalline state, these materials offer the possibility to organise nanoparticles into addressable 2-D and 3-D arrangements exhibiting high processability and self-healing properties. Herein, we review the developments in the field of discrete thermotropic liquid-crystalline nanoparticle hybrids, with special emphasis on the relationship between the nanoparticle morphology and the nature of the organic ligand coating and their resulting phase behaviour. Mechanisms proposed to explain the supramolecular organisation of the mesogens within the liquid-crystalline phases are discussed.

Variations on a Cage Theme: Some Complexes of Bicyclic Polyamines as Supramolecular Synthons

Dedication: One of Alan Sargeson’s great abilities was to seek out knowledge on topics of which he was not the master from those people with the expertise. This led occasionally to publications with a ‘cricket team’ of authors but with a rich brew of information, often international. Alan also insisted that all authors were equal since, without any one, the paper would not be what it was. Hence, he endeavoured to pursue the policy, difficult to maintain over a period where an obsession with absurdities such as the order of authors and point-scoring based on meaningless publication indices became so important in the maintenance of research, of listing authors simply in alphabetical order. In describing work begun while he was still with us, we have attempted to adhere to his principles. Analysis of a body of crystallographic information concerning metal(ii) and metal(iii) complexes of macrobicyclic hexamine ligands and some of their derivatives provides evidence for the action of a variety of intermolecular forces within the lattices. Hydrogen bonding is universal and its forms depend strongly upon the oxidation state and the particular nature of the metal ion bound to the macrobicycle. The introduction of both aliphatic and aromatic substituents leads to lattices in which these substituents associate, although, in the case of aromatic substituents, this is not necessarily a consequence of ‘π-stacking’, despite the fact that the aromatic ring planes form parallel arrays. At least in the case of CoIII, stable enantiomers of the complexes can be obtained, and in {Δ-(+)589-[Co{(NH3)(CH3)sar}]}2Cl2(C6(CO2)6)·26H2O (sar = 3,6,10,13,16,19-hexa-azabicyclo[6.6.6]icosane), the benzene hexacarboxylate anion adopts a chiral conformation in the presence of the optically active cation.

Wormlike micelles from a cage amine metallosurfactant

We have shown that copper and cobalt metallosurfactants derived from Cu(II) and Co(III) complexes of a macrobicyclic hexamine ("cage") can form wormlike micelles in aqueous solution that may coexist with or easily interconvert with vesicle structures. The cylindrical micelle structures are unusual for triple-chain surfactants with a single headgroup and are not easily accounted for using geometrical packing arguments. The solution behavior has been characterized by cryo-TEM and SAXS measurements. Both the Cu and Co compounds display viscoelastic solutions at 1 wt %, indicating that such behavior may be anticipated for the full variety of stable metal complexes formed by the cage headgroup, auguring applications based on the incorporation of metallo aggregates into mesoporous silica structures.

Novel and Disparate Hydrogen-Bonding Associations in 13-Amino-6-hydroxy-13-methyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane Tetrahydrochloride Monohydrate

The title compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group Pn with two independent [LH4]Cl4·H2O formula units (L = 13-amino-6-hydroxy-13-methyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane) in the asymmetric unit. Despite pseudo-symmetry, these two units exhibit subtle and interesting differences in their hydrogen-bonded association by the interchange of the water molecule site with one of the chloride anions. Although a pentamine, L crystallizes as a tetrahydrochloride in which the tetracation has a conformation similar to that of tetraprotonated cyclam (1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane), despite a different pattern of protonation sites. Difficulties in purification are perpetuated in the crystal, the minor isomeric component co-crystallizing in one of the cation sites.