Base-pairing of uracil and 2,6-diaminopurine: from cocrystals to photoreactivity

We show that the non-canonical nucleobase 2,6-diaminopurine (D) spontaneously base pairs with uracil (U) in water and the solid state without the need to be attached to the ribose-phosphate backbone. Depending on the reaction conditions, D and U assemble in thermodynamically stable hydrated and anhydrated D-U base-paired cocrystals. Under UV irradiation, an aqueous solution of D-U base-pair undergoes photochemical degradation, while a pure aqueous solution of U does not. Our simulations suggest that D may trigger the U photodimerization and show that complementary base-pairing modifies the photochemical properties of nucleobases, which might have implications for prebiotic chemistry.

Enhancing Flavins Photochemical Activity in Hydrogen Atom Abstraction and Triplet Sensitization through Ring-Contraction

The isoalloxazine heterocycle of flavin cofactors reacts with various nucleophiles to form covalent adducts with important functions in enzymes. Molecular flavin models allow for the characterization of such adducts and the study of their properties. A fascinating set of reactions occurs when flavins react with hydroxide base, which leads to imidazolonequinoxalines, ring-contracted flavins, with so far unexplored activity. We report a systematic study of the photophysical properties of this new chromophore by absorption and emission spectroscopy as well as cyclic voltammetry. Excited, ring-contracted flavins are significantly stronger hydrogen atom abstractors when compared to the parent flavins, which allowed the direct trifluoromethylthiolation of aliphatic methine positions (bond dissociation energy (BDE) of 400.8 kJ mol-1). In an orthogonal activity, their increased triplet energy (E(S0←T1)=244 kJ mol-1) made sensitized reactions possible which exceeded the power of standard flavins. Combining both properties, ring-contracted flavin catalysts enabled the one-pot, five-step transformation of α-tropolone into trans-3,4-disubstituted cyclopentanones. We envision this new class of flavin-derived chromophores to open up new modes of reactivity that are currently impossible with unmodified flavins.

The Structure of Maneb, An Important Manganese-Containing Bis(dithiocarbamate) Fungicide

Maneb is a manganese(II)-containing fungicide with a multi-site effect and no resistance, therefore it is widely applied in many parts of the world. There is, however, mounting evidence for neurotoxic effects with Parkinson-like symptoms (manganism) related to usage of Maneb. Due to its insolubility in most solvents and its paramagnetism, structural elucidation is not trivial, and thus its exact molecular structure remains unknown. We report herein a synthesis procedure to prepare Maneb reproducibly in pure form and the use of various analytical techniques including X-ray diffraction, X-ray absorption spectroscopy and electron diffraction to determine the molecular structure of Maneb in the solid state and also in solution.

A Copper-Catalyzed Interrupted Domino Reaction for the Synthesis of Fused Triazolyl Benzothiadiazine-1-oxides

Copper(I)-catalyzed domino reactions of 2-azido sulfoximines with 1-iodoalkynes yield fused triazolyl-containing benzothiadiazine-1-oxides. The protocol features the synthesis of two fused heterocyclic rings in one step with good to excellent yields and a broad functional group tolerance. Detailed mechanistic investigations indicate that a copper π-complex initiates a cycloaddition and oxidative C-N coupling reaction sequence. The results suggest an interrupted domino process involving an iodinated triazole as a key intermediate.

The Difficult Marriage of Triarylcorroles with Zinc and Nickel Ions

The coordination chemistry of corrole has witnessed a great improvement in the past few years and its Periodic Table has been widened to be so large that it is compared with that of porphyrins. However, Ni and Zn ions, commonly used with porphyrins for both synthetic and theoretical purposes, are sparsely reported in the case of corroles. Here, we report synthetic protocols for preparing Ni and Zn triarylcorrole complexes. In the case of Zn, the preliminary oxidation of the free base corrole in DMSO to the neutral corrole radical is a necessary step to obtain the coordination of the metal ion, because the direct reaction led to the formation of an open-chain tetrapyrrole. The Ni complex could be directly obtained by heating the free base corrole and Ni(II) salt to 100 °C in a DMSO solution containing FeCl₃. The non-innocent nature of the corrole ligand for both complexes has been elucidated by EPR, and in the case of the Zn derivative the first spectroelectrochemical characterization is presented.

The oxidation of triarylcorrole to the corresponding neutral radical species in DMSO is a key step to allow the preparation of the corresponding Ni and Zn complexes. Without this step, the oxidative ring opening of the macrocycle occurs, leading to the formation of a linear tetrapyrrole. The spectroscopic characterization of these species indicates their radical character. The stability of the Zn complex can be improved by peripheral substitution.

Reliable fluorescence technique to detect the antibiotic colistin, a possible environmental threat due to its overuse

Colistin, considered a drug of last resort as it is effective towards multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections. Oral administration of colistin in the poultry industry is a common practice, not only to prevent and reduce bacterial infections, but also as a rapid-growth promoter. Long-term exposure to any antibiotic will eventually lead to the development of bacterial resistance towards all antibiotics through various mechanisms in the physiological system and environment. Chicken is the most consumed source of animal protein for humans throughout the world. In addition, the manure of poultry, containing traces of the used antibiotics, is being used in farming. Exposure to excess amounts of colistin causes a great concern not only to the humans but to the environment as a whole. In the present contribution, colistin has been detected in chicken hepatocyte cells through in vivo confocal microscopy. In addition, the amount of colistin in the chicken excrements has been estimated. A simple chemosensor NAF, a dye-based on napthaldehyde furfural, was developed for the detection of colistin, supplemented with experimental evidence and theoretical calculations.

Development of gold(I) phosphorescent tweezer for sensing applications

The synthesis of the gold(I) alkynyl-fluorene compound 2 containing a diphosphane (dppb = 1,4-bisdiphenylphosphanebutane) has been easily afforded by the treatment of the previously synthesized [2-ethynylfluorene-Au]n polymer (1) and the...

Iodine(I) and Silver(I) Complexes of Benzoimidazole and Pyridylcarbazole Derivatives

The synthesis of iodine(I) complexes with either benzoimidazole or carbazole-derived sp² N-containing Lewis bases is described, as well as their corresponding silver(I) complexes. The addition of elemental iodine to the linear two-coordinate Ag(I) complexes produces iodine(I) complexes with a three-center four-electron (3c-4e) [N-I-N]⁺ bond. The ¹ H and ¹ H-¹⁵ N HMBC NMR studies unambiguously confirm the formation of the complexes in all cases via the [N-Ag-N]⁺ →[N-I-N]⁺ cation exchange, with the ¹⁵ N NMR chemical shift change between 94 to 111 ppm when compared to the free ligand. The single crystal X-ray crystallographic studies on eight I⁺ complexes revealed highly symmetrical [N-I-N]⁺ bonds with I-N bond distances of 2.21-2.26 Å and N-I-N angles of 177-180°, whilst some of the corresponding Ag⁺ complexes showed a clear deviation from linearity with N-Ag-N angles of ca. 150° and Ag-N bond distances of 2.09-2.18 Å.

Synthesis of trifluoromethyl-substituted 1,2,6-thiadiazine 1-oxides from sulfonimidamides under mechanochemical conditions

TBS-protected or NH-sulfonimidamides react with β-alkoxyvinyl trifluoromethylketones under solvent-free mechanochemical conditions to give 3-trifluoromethyl-substituted three-dimensional 1,2,6-thiadiazine 1-oxides. C4-Functionalized products can be obtained by starting from cyclic enones and brominations of the initially formed heterocycles. The stability of the products was investigated by varying the pH value and storage under aerobic conditions.

Three-Dimensional Heterocycles by 5-exo-dig Cyclizations of S-Methyl-N-ynonylsulfoximines

Upon treatment with Cs₂CO₃, S-methyl-N-ynonylsulfoximines undergo 5-exo-dig cyclizations to give three-dimensional heterocycles. The reactions proceed at ambient temperature with a wide range of substrates affording the corresponding products in good to excellent yields.

Mechanochemical Syntheses of N-Containing Heterocycles with TosMIC

A mechanochemical van Leusen pyrrole synthesis with a base leads to 3,4-disubstitued pyrroles in moderate to excellent yields. The developed protocol is compatible with a range of electron-withdrawing groups and can also be applied to the synthesis of oxazoles. Attempts to mechanochemically convert the resulting pyrroles into porphyrins proved to be difficult.

Studies of Nature of Uncommon Bifurcated I-I···(I-M) Metal-Involving Noncovalent Interaction in Palladium(II) and Platinum(II) Isocyanide Cocrystals

Two isostructural trans-[MI2(CNXyl)2]·I2 (M = Pd or Pt; CNXyl = 2,6-dimethylphenyl isocyanide) metallopolymeric cocrystals containing uncommon bifurcated iodine···(metal-iodide) contact were obtained. In addition to classical halogen bonding, single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis revealed a rare type of metal-involved stabilizing contact in both cocrystals. The nature of the noncovalent contact was studied computationally (via DFT, electrostatic surface potential, electron localization function, quantum theory of atoms in molecules, and noncovalent interactions plot methods). Studies confirmed that the I···I halogen bond is the strongest noncovalent interaction in the systems, followed by weaker I···M interaction. The electrophilic and nucleophilic nature of atoms participating in I···M interaction was studied with ED/ESP minima analysis. In trans-[PtI2(CNXyl)2]·I2 cocrystal, Pt atoms act as weak nucleophiles in I···Pt interaction. In the case of trans-[PdI2(CNXyl)2]·I2 cocrystal, electrophilic/nucleophilic roles of Pd and I are not clear, and thus the quasimetallophilic nature of the I···Pd interaction was suggested.

Cation-translocation based isomerism offers a tool for the expansion of compressed helicates

A series of compressed M[Li313Ti2] (M = Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs) and expanded helicates M4[13Ti2] has been obtained. The helicates Li3[M13Ti2] or M4[13Ti2] with M = Na+, K+, Rb+, or Cs+ adopt the expanded structure in solution. By crystallization the compressed structures M[Li313Ti2] (M = Na, Rb) are obtained. This represents an example of cation-translocation based isomerism.

2,3-Dihydro-1,2,6-thiadiazine 1-Oxides by Biginelli-Type Reactions with Sulfonimidamides under Mechanochemical Conditions

Biginelli-type multicomponent reactions (MCRs) with NH-free sulfonimidamides provide 2,3-dihydro-1,2,6-thiadiazine 1-oxides in high yields. The couplings are performed in a planetary ball mill under solvent-free mechanochemical conditions. Acetic acid or ytterbium triflate are used as catalysts. A representative product was characterized by X-ray single crystal structure analysis revealing molecular details of the highly functionalized three-dimensional heterocycle. Further product modifications lead to additional structural scaffolds.

Gold(i)-doped films: new routes for efficient room temperature phosphorescent materials

The synthesis of four novel gold(i)-phosphane complexes coordinated to 9-phenanthrene chromophore has been carried out through the reaction of 9-phenanthreneboronic acid and the corresponding AuClPR₃ (PR₃ = PPh₃ for triphenylphosphane (1a); 1,4-bis(diphenylphosphanyl)butane or dppb (2b); bis(diphenylphosphanyl)acetylene or dppa (2c); (AuCl)₂(diphos) (diphos = bis(diphenylphosphanyl)methane or dppm (3)) sources. The X-ray crystal structures of compounds 1a and 2b show the existence of MOF-like intermolecular assemblies that contain empty inner cavities in the absence of aurophilic contacts. In contrast, the formation of a tetranuclear complex with intramolecular aurophilic interactions was evidenced for 3. Photophysical characterization indicates dual emission in all gold(i) complexes when oxygen is removed from the sample, while only fluorescence emission is recorded for the uncoordinated ligand. The introduction of the compounds within PMMA and Zeonex was assayed, and luminescent films containing gold(i) complexes where phosphorescence is the sole pathway for emission are obtained, instead of the dual emission (with significant fluorescence contribution) recorded in solution.

Iron(III) Chloride as a Mild Catalyst for the Dearomatizing Cyclization of N-Acylindoles

A catalytic approach for the preparation of indolines by dearomatizing cyclization is presented. FeCl₃ acts as a catalyst to afford tetracyclic 5a,6-dihydro-12H-indolo[2,1-b][1,3]benzoxazin-12-ones in good yields. The cyclization also proceeds with tosylamides forming C-N bonds in 53% yield.

5-Carbonyl-1,3-oxazine-2,4-diones from N-Cyanosulfoximines and Meldrum's Acid Derivatives

At elevated temperatures, N-cyanosulfoximines react with Meldrum's acid derivatives to give sulfoximines with N-bound 5-carbonyl-1,3-oxazine-2,4-dione groups. A representative product was characterized by single-crystal X-ray structure analysis. The product formation involves an unexpected molecular reorientation requiring several sequential bond-forming and -cleaving processes.

Room-Temperature Phosphorescence and Efficient Singlet Oxygen Production by Cyclometalated Pt(II) Complexes with Aromatic Alkynyl Ligands

The synthesis of five novel cyclometalated platinum(II) compounds containing five different alkynyl-chromophores was achieved by the reaction of the previously synthesized Pt-Cl cyclometalated compound (1) with the corresponding RC≡CH by a Sonogashira reaction. It was observed that the spectral and photophysical characteristics of the cyclometalated platinum(II) complexes (Pt-Ar) are essentially associated with the platinum-cyclometalated unit. Room-temperature emission of the Pt-Ar complexes was attributed to phosphorescence in agreement with DFT calculations. Broad nanosecond (ns)-transient absorption spectra were observed with decays approximately identical to those obtained from the emission of the triplet state. From the femtosecond-transient absorption (fs-TA) data, two main excited-state decay components were identified: one in the order of a few picoseconds was assigned to fast intersystem crossing to populate the triplet excited-state and the second (hundreds of ns) was associated with the decay of the transient triplet state. In general, efficient singlet oxygen photosensitization quantum yields were observed from the triplet state of these complexes.

Fluorescence enhancement of quinolines by protonation

A study of the fluorescence enhancement of isoquinoline, acridine (benzo[b]quinoline) and benzo[h]quinoline is reported with six organic acids of different pK_a values. Protonation was found to be an effective tool in the fluorescence enhancement of quinolines. A significant increase in the fluorescence intensity is observed only when strong acids are used, resulting in an over 50-fold increase in fluorescence with trifluoroacetic or benzenesulfonic acid and isoquinoline in a 1.5 : 1 ratio. The benzenesulfonic acid was found to be the most effective in the protonation of the bases despite its higher pK_a value compared to trifluoro- and trichloroacetic acid. The X-ray crystal structures of 14 salts reveal the charge-assisted hydrogen bond O⋯N distances to vary very little, from 2.560(2)–2.714(3) Å, with the exception of the isoquinolinium benzenesulfonate where the O⋯N distance of 2.862(7) Å is caused by additional intermolecular interactions in the solid-state.

The acid–base interactions of quinolines are studied in both liquid and solid-state to explore efficient tools for fluorescence enhancement.

N-(2,3,5,6-Tetrafluoropyridyl)sulfoximines: synthesis, X-ray crystallography, and halogen bonding

N-(Tetrafluoropyridyl)sulfoximines are obtained from NH-sulfoximines and pentafluoropyridine under solution-based or mechanochemical conditions, and the solid-state structures of 26 products have been determined by X-ray diffraction analysis.

Titanium Carbene Complexes Stabilized by Alkali Metal Amides

Facile α-H elimination from tetrakis(trimethylsilylmethyl)titanium precursors to give adducts of (alkylidene)bis(alkyl)titanium complexes is induced by light alkali metal amides of the NNNN-type macrocyclic anionic ligand Me₃ TACD [(Me₃ TACD)H=1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane]. In the crystal, the alkali metal interacts with the carbene carbon atom or with the CH₂ group of the trimethylsilymethyl ligand. The nucleophilic character of the carbene carbon atom was shown by the reaction with benzophenone and terminal acetylenes.

From Monodisperse Thienyl- and Furylborane Oligomers to Polymers: Modulating the Optical Properties through the Hetarene Ratio

The application of our newly developed B-C coupling method by catalytic Si/B exchange is demonstrated for the synthesis of a series of triarylboranes (1), monodisperse thienyl- and furylborane dimers (2) and trimers (9), extended oligomers (3) and polymers (3'), as well as mixed (oligo)thienyl-/furylboranes. The structures of 1 aa^Tip , 1 bb^Tip , and 2 bbb^Mes* , determined by X-ray crystallography, reveal largely coplanar hetarene rings and BR₃ environments, which are most pronounced in the furylborane species. Photophysical investigations, supported by TD-DFT calculations, revealed pronounced π-electron delocalization over the hetarene backbones including the boron centers. With an extended series of derivatives of varying chain lengths available, we were able to determine the effective conjugation lengths (ECL) of poly(thienylborane)s and poly(furylborane)s, which have been reached with the highest-molecular-weight derivatives of our study. Through variation of the furan-to-thiophene ratio, the photophysical properties of these materials are effectively modulated. Significantly, higher furan contents lead to considerably increased fluorescence intensities. Compounds 1 aa^Tip , 1 bb^Tip , and 3 a^Tip showed the ability to bind fluoride anions. The binding process is signaled by a distinct change in their optical absorption characteristics, thus rendering these materials attractive targets for sensory applications.

Synthesis and properties of heterobimetallic rhodium complexes featuring LiI, CuI or ZnII as a Lewis acidic metalloligand

Coordination of Lewis acidic metalloligands Li^I, Cu^I and Zn^II shows a remarkable impact on the CO stretching band in heterobimetallic rhodium complexes.

Molecular hydrides of divalent ytterbium supported by a macrocyclic ligand: synthesis, structure and olefin hydrofunctionalization catalysis

Cationic ytterbium hydrides [(Me₄TACD)₂Yb₂H_(2+n)]⁽²⁻ⁿ⁾⁺ (n = 0, 1) catalyzed the H₂/D₂ isotope exchange as well as hydrogenation and hydrosilylation of 1-hexene.

Phase transition and proton ordering at 50 K in 3-(pyridin-4-yl)pentane-2,4-dione

Single-crystal neutron diffraction experiments at 100 and 2.5 K have been performed to determine the structure of 3-(pyridin-4-yl)pentane-2,4-dione (HacacPy) with respect to its protonation pattern and to monitor a low-temperature phase transition. Solid HacacPy exists as the enol tautomer with a short intramolecular hydrogen bond. At 100 K, its donor···acceptor distance is 2.450 (8) Å and the compound adopts space group C2/c, with the N and para-C atoms of the pyridyl ring and the central C of the acetylacetone substituent on the twofold crystallographic axis. As a consequence of the axial symmetry, the bridging hydrogen is disordered over two symmetrically equivalent positions, and the carbon–oxygen bond distances adopt intermediate values between single and double bonds. Upon cooling, a structural phase transition to the t 2 subgroup P\bar 1 occurs; the resulting twins show an ordered acetylacetone moiety. The phase transition is fully reversible but associated with an appreciable hysteresis in the large single crystal under study: transition to the low-temperature phase requires several hours at 2.5 K and heating to 80 K is required to revert the transformation. No significant hysteresis is observed in a powder sample, in agreement with the second-order nature of the phase transition.

3-(Pyridin-4-yl)acetylacetone: a donor ligand towards mercury(II) halides and a versatile linker for complex materials

The ditopic organic molecule 3-(pyridin-4-yl)acetylacetone (HacacPy) acts as a pyridine-type ligand towards HgX 2 (X = Cl, Br, I). The nature of the anion and the ligand-to-cation ratio dominate the outcome of the reaction. Two different coordination compounds form with HgCl2, namely a ligand-rich mononuclear complex, HgCl2(HacacPy)2, and a ligand-deficient one-dimensional chain polymer, [Hg(μ-Cl)2(HacacPy)]1 ∞, with five-coordinated HgII cations. Two compounds are also observed for HgBr2, a molecular complex isomorphous to the chloride derivative and a chain polymer with the composition [Hg(μ-Br)Br(HacacPy)]1 ∞, in which the cations are four-coordinated. The ligand-rich mononuclear and ligand-deficient polymeric chloride and bromide complexes may be interconverted via thermal degradation and mechanochemical synthesis. In contrast to the chloride and bromide compounds, the reaction product with HgI2 does not depend on the ligand-to-cation ratio but corresponds to [Hg(μ-I)I(HacacPy)]1 ∞, isomorphous to the bromide derivative. The N-coordinated HacacPy complexes could not be deprotonated and further crosslinked with a second cation. Synthesis of mixed-metal products could be achieved, however, by deprotonation of the acetylacetone moiety in HacacPy and formation of tris-chelated Fe(acacPy)3 and Al(acacPy)3 complexes in the first step. These mononuclear building blocks act as bridging poly(pyridine) ligands towards HgII halides and form two structure types. The first represents a one-dimensional ladder, with the tris(ligand) complexes acting as triconnected nodes and the HgII halides acting as linkers. In the alternative unprecedented product, both the tris(ligand) complexes and the [HgX 2(μ-X)HgX] groups act as equivalent triconnected nodes. They form a uninodal two-dimensional coordination network with vertex symbol 4.82 and fes topology.

Ring-opening of cyclic ethers by aluminum hydridotriphenylborate

Ring-opening of THF or THP in the presence of pinacolborane can be catalyzed by a molecular aluminum hydride catalyst [(L)AlH₂]₂ (L = Me₃TACD)/BPh₃ and involves an isolable intermediate [(L)AlH][HBPh₃].

An epoxy thiolactone on stage: four component reactions, synthesis of poly(thioether urethane)s and the respective hydrogels

An epoxy thiolactone was developed as a versatile platform for multicomponent reactions, the synthesis of poly(thioether urethane)s or hydrogels containing epoxy groups.

3-(4-Pyridyl)-acetylacetone – a fully featured substituted pyridine and a flexible linker for complex materials

3-(4-Pyridyl)-acetylacetone (HacacPy) acts as a pyridine-type ligand towards CdX2(X= Cl, Br, I). Chain polymers with six-coordinated metal cations are obtained from CdCl2and with alternating five- and six-coordinated Cd centers from CdBr2. In either case, the formation of these compounds does not depend on the precise stoichiometry. In contrast, two different reaction products form with the heavier congener CdI2, namely a ligand-rich molecular complex CdI2(HacacPy)2and a ligand-deficient one-dimensional polymer [CdI2(HacacPy)]1∞. Interconversion between these two iodo derivatives is possibleviathermal degradation and mechanochemical synthesis. The acetylacetone moiety in HacacPy may be deprotonated and chelated to FeIII, and the resulting complex Fe(acacPy)3reacts analogously to a bridging polypyridine ligand towards the same Cd halides as the molecule HacacPy itself. With CdCl2and CdBr2, isomorphous chain polymers are obtained in which the Cd cations adopt distorted octahedral coordination and one of the peripheric pyridyl groups remains uncoordinated. With CdI2, the iron complex acts as a \mu _{{3}}-Fe(acacPy)3bridge between tetrahedral Cd centers and gives rise to a ladder structure.

Assessment of occupational exposure patterns by frequency-domain analysis of time series data

Laboratory evidence increasingly points to exposure pattern characteristics, including the duration, frequency, and timing of the exposure during the day, as important factors influencing the biological response to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields. An exploratory analysis of exposure patterns was conducted in 113 electric utility workers employed as electricians, cable splicers, line workers, and power plant operators. The purpose of the study was to describe extremely low-frequency magnetic field exposure pattern characteristics of electric utility workers and evaluate grouping strategies for classifying occupational exposures based on their exposure pattern characteristics. Exposure patterns describe the cyclic fluctuation in exposures over time, and were evaluated by partitioning the variation of the time series into frequency components using frequency-domain analysis of the transformed and processed time series. The study samples were classified using traditional grouping strategies based on occupation and time-weighted average (TWA), and non-traditional grouping strategies based on cluster analysis of the standardized, low-frequency exposure pattern components. Rules for classifying samples into each group were developed using linear discriminant analysis, with the performance of each grouping strategy evaluated using a crossvalidation study design to estimate the rate of misclassification. Exposure patterns appeared unrelated to grouping strategies based on quartiles of the workday TWA, but were related to pattern clusters and occupation. The linear discriminant function produced very low misclassification error rates for the cluster grouping strategy (10%) compared to occupation (50%) and TWA quartile (69%) grouping strategies. Significant differences in the exposure patterns occurring between clusters and between occupational groups were observed, indicating that at least one of the spectral estimates in two of the groups were significantly different. However, patterns clusters produced the greatest contrast in exposure patterns of all grouping strategies, explaining 99 percent of the total variation compared to 58 percent of the total variation by occupation.

Changes in plasma lipid and lipoprotein cholesterol and weight prior to the diagnosis of cancer

Changes in lipoprotein cholesterol, total plasma cholesterol, and weight prior to the diagnosis of cancer were examined in 103 men who developed cancer in a cohort of 3805 type IIa hyperlipidemic men aged 35-59 enrolled in the Lipid Research Clinics Coronary Primary Prevention Trial. Study measurements were made bimonthly. After adjusting for the effects of the trial intervention and other determinants of lipid levels, the cholesterol levels of the cases diagnosed with nonlocalized cancer dropped below the expected level approaching diagnosis when compared to the entire study population. The decrease averaged 9.3 mg/dl and began about 2 years prior to diagnosis. Weight levels dropped an average of 1.2 kg over the same period. Weight and cholesterol were significantly lower than expected within 8 months of diagnosis (P less than 0.05). No decrease was seen for those diagnosed with localized malignancies. Patterns for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol reflected those of total cholesterol. There was no clear relationship between cancer diagnosis and patterns of change for triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. In the future, investigations of any relationship between a host physiological state and cancer occurrence should account for the metabolic effects of preclinical disease demonstrated here. To protect against spurious conclusions, incident cases occurring within 2 years of measurement should be analyzed separately. In studies of cancer mortality, deaths occurring within 3.5 years of the base-line measurement should be analyzed separately.