Crystal structure of quinine: the effects of vinyl and methoxy groups on molecular assemblies of Cinchona alkaloids cannot be ignored.

Quinine, one of Cinchona alkaloids, has been of great interest from medical, synthetic, and supramolecular viewpoints. However, unaccountably, the guest-free (GF) crystal of quinine containing no solvent or other molecules has not been reported for nearly three decades, although GF crystals of other Cinchona alkaloids, such as quinidine, cinchonidine, and cinchonine, are already known. In this study, we successfully revealed the crystal structure of quinine, which belongs to the P2(1) space group with the cell parameters of a=6.0587(1), b=19.2492(5), c=22.2824(7) Å, ß=92.1646(11)°, and V=2596.83(12) Å(3). Interestingly, the crystal has three crystallographically independent molecules in the cell (Z'=3) that are connected through a N(quinoline)⋅⋅⋅H-O hydrogen bond to form a pseudo three-two-fold (3(2)) double-helical motif. The helical motif is completely different from those observed in GF crystals of other Cinchona alkaloids. Hierarchical comparison on the crystal structures of a series of Cinchona alkaloids including quinine clearly demonstrated that only small structural differences of a molecule, particularly the position of the vinyl group, cause a significant variety of assembly manner in the crystalline state. There have been no reports systematically demonstrating such steric effect in crystals of Cinchona alkaloids, and, therefore, the present system contributes to the design of desired functional crystal structures.

Construction of multi-component supramolecular architectures of bile acids and cinchona alkaloids through helical-pitch-synchronized crystallization.

Molecular assemblies based on helical motifs are of substantial interest from the view point of fundamental science as well as application. In this study, we propose a new class of organic crystal, that is, heteroH-MOC (multi-component organic crystal containing different kinds of helical motifs consisted of different components), and describe successful construction of heteroH-MOCs with P2(1) and P2(1)2(1)2(1) space groups by using steroidal bile acids and cinchona alkaloids. In the P2(1) crystals, two kinds of helices composed of the steroid and alkaloid are arranged in a parallel fashion, while, in the P2(1)2(1)2(1) crystals, those are in a perpendicular fashion. It is remarkable that, in such systems, particularly in the latter crystals, components ingeniously achieved highly-ordered synchronization of periodicity (helical pitches r and periodic distances in the array of helices p), which is first demonstrated in this study through hierarchical interpretation of the crystal structures.

Morphological changes in vesicles and release of an encapsulated compound triggered by a photoresponsive Malachite Green leuconitrile derivative.

Photoinduced morphological changes in phosphatidylcholine vesicles are triggered by a Malachite Green leuconitrile derivative dissolved in the lipidic membrane, and are observed at Malachite Green derivative/lipid ratios <5 mol %. This Malachite Green derivative is a photoresponsive compound that undergoes ionization to afford a positive charge on the molecule by UV irradiation. The Malachite Green derivative exhibits amphiphilicity when ionized photochemically, whereas it behaves as a lipophilic compound under dark conditions. Cryo-transmission electron microscopy was used to determine vesicle morphology. The effects of the Malachite Green derivative on vesicles were studied by dynamic light scattering and fluorescence resonance energy transfer. Irradiation of vesicles containing the Malachite Green derivative induces nonspherical vesicle morphology, fusion of vesicles, and membrane solubilization, depending on conditions. Furthermore, irradiation of the Malachite Green derivative induces the release of a vesicle-encapsulated compound.