Synthesis and antibacterial evaluation of new, unsymmetrical triaryl bisamidine compounds.

Herein we describe the synthesis and antibacterial evaluation of a new, unsymmetrical triaryl bisamidine compound series, [Am]-[indole]-[linker]-[HetAr/Ar]-[Am], in which [Am] is an amidine or amino group, [linker] is a benzene, thiophene or pyridine ring, and [HetAr/Ar] is a benzimidazole, imidazopyridine, benzofuran, benzothiophene, pyrimidine or benzene ring. When the [HetAr/Ar] unit is a 5,6-bicyclic heterocycle, it is oriented such that the 5-membered ring portion is connected to the [linker] unit and the 6-membered ring portion is connected to the [Am] unit. Among the 34 compounds in this series, compounds with benzofuran as the [HetAr/Ar] unit showed the highest potencies. Introduction of a fluorine atom or a methyl group to the triaryl core led to the more potent analogs. Bisamidines are more active toward bacteria while the monoamidines are more active toward mammalian cells (as indicated by low CC50 values). Importantly, we identified compound P12a (MBX 1887) with a relatively narrow spectrum against bacteria and a very high CC50 value. Compound P12a has been scaled up and is currently undergoing further evaluations for therapeutic applications.

Two-photon absorption in two-dimensional conjugated quadrupolar chromophores.

We present ultrafast z-scan measurements of the two-photon absorption (TPA) spectra of a pair of two-dimensionally conjugated quadrupolar donor/acceptor (D/A) chromophores. The all-donor substituted species displays a peak TPA cross section [sigma(2)=520+/-30 GM] that is more than twice that of the D-A species [sigma(2)=240+/-20 GM]. Unlike previous structure-property studies that have evaluated TPA behavior for D/A molecules through the comparison of dipolar and quadrupolar compounds, both molecules investigated herein are quadrupolar, ultimately providing a more consistent evaluation of the effects of donor and/or acceptor substitution on the TPA of conjugated chromophores.

Optical excitations in carbon architectures based on dodecadehydrotribenzo[18]annulene.

The origin of excitations in multi-chromophore carbon network substructures based on dodecadehydrotribenzo[18]annulene has been investigated by steady-state and photon echo spectroscopy, configuration interaction (CIS and CIS(D)), and time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT). 1,4-diphenylbutadiyne, the simplest structural subunit within the annulene, was used in modeling the spectroscopic studies to explain the origin of excitations in the macrocycles. The optical excitations in longer linear systems were found to be similar to its diphenylacetylene analogue. However, the results from dodecadehydrotribenzo[18]annulene and other multichromophore networks systems illustrate the possibility of strong intramolecular interactions and the formation of delocalized excited states. Calculations were carried out to explain the basic similarities and differences in excitations of the model compounds such as diphenylbutadiyne and the macrocycles. The fundamental excitation in these systems can be primarily described as a pi --> pi* transition. Two low-energy resonances were observed from experiment for the annulene systems, and possible explanations for these low-energy resonances in the macrocycles are explored. The significant difference found in the calculated oscillator strength of the two low-energy bands for the macrocycles as well as the dynamics of solvent interactions was further investigated by three-pulse photon echo measurements. A simple exciton model was developed to discuss the excitations in the larger macrocycles. The results from this model were found to be in good agreement with the TD-DFT calculations.

Carbon networks based on dehydrobenzoannulenes. 5. Extension of two-dimensional conjugation in graphdiyne nanoarchitectures.

[structures: see text] The synthesis and optical properties of a series of multinanometer-sized substructures of the phenyl-diacetylene carbon allotrope, graphdiyne, are described. These molecules are among the largest and most complex annulenic systems yet prepared, with extension of linear conjugation in two-dimensions to over twice that of any previously reported planar macrocycle. The graphdiyne substructures are constructed through convergent syntheses, taking advantage of three key intermediates and silane-protected phenylacetylenes. Intramolecular macrocyclization of alpha,omega-polyyne precursors via Cu-mediated or Pd-catalyzed oxidative homocoupling affords five new graphdiyne "oligomers" possessing two to four fused 18-membered rings. The attempted synthesis of a six-ring analogue is also reported.

Structure-property relationships of donor/acceptor-functionalized tetrakis(phenylethynyl)benzenes and bis(dehydrobenzoannuleno)benzenes.

A series of tetrakis(phenylethynyl)benzenes and bis(dehydrobenzoannuleno)benzenes have been synthesized containing tetra-substitutions of neutral, donor, and mixed donor/acceptor groups. To ascertain the importance of substitutional and structural differences of the phenylacetylenes, the optical absorption and emission properties of each series were examined. Conjugation effectiveness, electron density, planarity, and geometry of charge-transfer pathways were found to have a pronounced effect on the overall optical and material properties. Considerable self-association behavior due to face-to-face stacking in solution was observed for donor/acceptor-functionalized macrocycles and was quantified by concentration-dependent (1)H NMR measurements. A solvent-dependent polymerization of one macrocycle regioisomer was observed and characterized. To provide further insight into the energy levels and electronic transitions present, computational studies of each system were performed.

Synthesis and characterization of multiply fused dehydrobenzoannulenoannulene topologies.

[reaction: see text] From a common precursor, two unusual dehydrobenzoannulene topologies have been synthesized utilizing either Pd-catalyzed or Cu-mediated oxidative homocoupling as the ring-closure step.