Structure of framework aluminum Lewis sites and perturbed aluminum atoms in zeolites as determined by 27Al{1H} REDOR (3Q) MAS NMR spectroscopy and DFT/molecular mechanics.

Zeolites are highly important heterogeneous catalysts. Besides Brønsted SiOHAl acid sites, also framework AlFR Lewis acid sites are often found in their H-forms. The formation of AlFR Lewis sites in zeolites is a key issue regarding their selectivity in acid-catalyzed reactions. The local structures of AlFR Lewis sites in dehydrated zeolites and their precursors--"perturbed" AlFR atoms in hydrated zeolites--were studied by high-resolution MAS NMR and FTIR spectroscopy and DFT/MM calculations. Perturbed framework Al atoms correspond to (SiO)3AlOH groups and are characterized by a broad (27)Al NMR resonance (δi = 59-62 ppm, CQ = 5 MHz, and η = 0.3-0.4) with a shoulder at 40 ppm in the (27)Al MAS NMR spectrum. Dehydroxylation of (SiO)3AlOH occurs at mild temperatures and leads to the formation of AlFR Lewis sites tricoordinated to the zeolite framework. Al atoms of these (SiO)3Al Lewis sites exhibit an extremely broad (27)Al NMR resonance (δi ≈ 67 ppm, CQ ≈ 20 MHz, and η ≈ 0.1).

Millipedes as food for humans: their nutritional and possible antimalarial value-a first report.

The first record of millipedes (Diplopoda) being regularly used for food by humans (the Bobo people of Burkina Faso) is given, including information on how the millipedes are prepared. The species in question are Tymbodesmus falcatus (Karsch, 1881) and Sphenodesmus sheribongensis (Schiøtz, 1966) (Gomphodesmidae) and an unidentified species of Spirostreptidae. New information on the nutritional value of millipedes is provided; unsaturated fatty acids, calcium, and iron contents are particularly high. The millipedes' defensive secretions, hydrogen cyanide and benzoquinones, present a severe challenge for the spread of millipedes as an everyday food source. On the other hand, the possibility that benzoquinones may act as insect-repellents, as known from studies on nonhuman primates, and that sublethal cyanide ingestion may enhance human innate resistance to malaria, suggests promising ethnomedical perspectives to our findings.

Chain-end-functionalized polyphosphazenes via a one-pot phosphine-mediated living polymerization.

A simple polymerization of trichlorophosphoranimine (Cl3 P = N-SiMe3 ) mediated by functionalized triphenylphosphines is presented. In situ initiator formation and the subsequent polymerization progress are investigated by (31) P NMR spectroscopy, demonstrating a living cationic polymerization mechanism. The polymer chain lengths and molecular weights of the resulting substituted poly(organo)phosphazenes are further studied by (1) H NMR spectroscopy and size exclusion chromatography. This strategy facilitates the preparation of polyphosphazenes with controlled molecular weights and specific functional groups at the α-chain end. Such well-defined, mono-end-functionalized polymers have great potential use in bioconjugation, surface modification, and as building blocks for complex macromolecular constructs.

Water-Soluble, Biocompatible Polyphosphazenes with Controllable and pH-Promoted Degradation Behavior.

The synthesis of a series of novel, water-soluble poly(organophosphazenes) prepared via living cationic polymerization is presented. The degradation profiles of the polyphosphazenes prepared are analyzed by GPC, 31P NMR spectroscopy, and UV-Vis spectroscopy in aqueous media and show tunable degradation rates ranging from days to months, adjusted by subtle changes to the chemical structure of the polyphosphazene. Furthermore, it is observed that these polymers demonstrate a pH-promoted hydrolytic degradation behavior, with a remarkably faster rate of degradation at lower pH values. These degradable, water soluble polymers with controlled molecular weights and structures could be of significant interest for use in aqueous biomedical applications, such as polymer therapeutics, in which biological clearance is a requirement and in this context cell viability tests are described which show the non-toxic nature of the polymers as well as their degradation intermediates and products.

The role of 2,6-diaminopyridine ligands in the isolation of an unprecedented, low-valent tin complex.

Stabilization of the central atom in an oxidation state of zero through coordination of neutral ligands is a common bonding motif in transition-metal chemistry. However, the stabilization of main-group elements in an oxidation state of zero by neutral ligands is rare. Herein, we report that the transamination reaction of the DAMPY ligand system (DAMPY=2,6-[ArNH-CH2 ]2 (NC5 H3 ) (Ar=C6 H3 -2,6-iPr2 )) with Sn[N(SiMe3 )2 ]2 produces the DIMPYSn complex (DIMPY=(2,6-[ArNCH]2 (NC5 H3 )) with the Sn atom in a formal oxidation state of zero. This is the first example of a tin compound stabilized in a formal oxidation state of zero by only one donor molecule. Furthermore, three related low-valent Sn(II) complexes, including a [DIMPYSn(II) Cl](+) [SnCl3 ](-) ion pair, a bisstannylene DAMPY{Sn(II) [N(SiMe3 )2 ]2 }2 , and the enamine complex MeDIMPYSn(II) , were isolated. Experimental results and the conclusions drawn are also supported by theoretical studies at the density functional level of theory and (119) Sn Mössbauer spectroscopy.

A water soluble tri-cationic porphyrin-EDTA conjugate induces apoptosis in human neuroendocrine tumor cell lines.

In this study, a completely water soluble tri-cationic porphyrin-EDTA conjugate was synthesized. We present data demonstrating the tumoristatic effects of the novel fully water soluble cationic porphyrin TMPy(3)PhenEDTA-P-Cl(4) in the dark, in the medullary thyroid carcinoma cell lines MTC-SK and SHER-I and weaker effects in the small intestinal neuroendocrine tumor cell line KRJ-I. In addition, cytotoxic effects were also studied in normal human fibroblasts that represent normal tissue and the results are compared to the tumor cell lines.

Syntheses, crystal structures, reactivity, and photochemistry of gold(III) bromides bearing N-heterocyclic carbenes.

Gold(I) complexes bearing N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHC) of the type (NHC)AuBr (3a/3b) [NHC = 1-methyl-3-benzylimidazol-2-ylidene (= MeBnIm), and 1,3-dibenzylimidazol-2-ylidene (= Bn(2)Im)] are prepared by transmetallation reactions of (tht)AuBr (tht = tetrahydrothiophene) and (NHC)AgBr (2a/2b). The homoleptic, ionic complexes [(NHC)(2)Au]Br (6a/6b) are synthesized by the reaction with free carbene. Successive oxidation of 3a/3b and 6a/6b with bromine gave the respective (NHC)AuBr(3) (4a/4b) and [(NHC)(2)AuBr(2)]Br (7a/7b) in good overall yields as yellow powders. All complexes were characterized by NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, elemental analysis and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Reactions of the Au(III) complexes towards anionic ligands like carboxylates, phenolates and thiophenolates were investigated and result in a complete or partial reduction to a Au(I) complex. Irradiation of the Au(III) complexes with UV light yield the Au(I) congeners in a clean photo-reaction.

Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction on copper-trans-A(2)B corroles with excellent functional group tolerance.

The palladium-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction has been investigated on meso-substituted trans-A(2)B-corrole using tailored Pd-catalyst systems.We present the first examples of Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions on meso-substituted trans-A(2)B-corrole derivatives with neutral, sterically hindered, inactivated and heteroaromatic boronic acids and esters, alkenylboronic acids, as well as quickly deboronating aryl boronic acids and benzo-condensated five membered heterocyclic boronic acids. In addition, we established a high-yield procedure for the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction of corroles with neutral boronic acids.Due to the lability of the free-base corrole macrocycles, functionalization of the corrole periphery was performed with the corresponding Cu-metallated species. meso-Substituted trans-A(2)B-corrole can hence be regarded as highly versatile platform towards more sophisticated corrole systems.X-ray structure analysis of a functionalized meso-substituted trans-A(2)B copper corrole exhibited the typical features of such a Cu-complex: short N-Cu distances and a saddled corrole configuration.Moreover, we observed a sensitivity of the formal oxidation state of the coordinated copper ions towards Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction conditions, where the central copper(III) ion approaches the characteristic features of a copper(II) species. This redox behaviour was examined by UV/vis absorption spectra, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments and time-dependent density functional theoretical calculations.

Synthesis and characterization of a stable bismuth(III) A3-corrole.

An efficient metalation procedure for bismuth complexes with meso-substituted corrole ligands is presented. Reaction of 5,10,15-tris-pentafluorophenylcorrole H(3)(TpFPC) with Bi{N(SiMe(3))(3)} converts the free ligand H(3)(TpFPC) to a neutral low-valent species Bi(TpFPC), which has been characterized by different spectroscopic techniques. (Spectro)electrochemical studies were performed in order to describe the redox potentials of the Bi(TpFPC) complex and to ascribe the sites of electron transfer. The first crystal structure of a bismuth corrole is presented and compared to the geometry-optimized molecular structure obtained with density functional theory (DFT) calculations. We show an example of a 4-coordinate metallocorrole with a very large out-of-plane displacement and significant doming. The electronic structure of the novel bismuth corrole system is discussed in detail. Time-dependent DFT results support the proposed assignment of electronic transitions observed for the Bi(TpFPC) derivative. To account for the reactivity we investigated the photocatalytic properties of the Bi(TpFPC) complex.

Determination of (3)J((1)H3'-(31)P) couplings in a DNA oligomer with enhanced sensitivity employing a constant-time TOCSY difference experiment.

A constant-time TOCSY difference experiment for the determination of (3)J((1)H3'-(31)P) coupling constants in non-isotope-labelled DNA oligonucleotides is presented. The method is tested on a DNA octamer and compared with the established constant-time NOESY difference method. Each (3)J((1)H3'-(31)P) coupling constant is determined from amplitude changes caused by phosphorous decoupling, which are observable on multiple cross-peaks, thus leading to a high accuracy of the value of the (3)J((1)H3'-(31)P) coupling constant. The new experiment delivers up to three times the sensitivity compared with previously reported methods.

Backbone assignment and secondary structure of the PsbQ protein from photosystem II.

PsbQ is one of the extrinsic proteins situated on the lumenal surface of photosystem II (PSII) in the higher plants and green algae. Its three-dimensional structure was determined by X-ray crystallography with exception of the residues 14-33. To obtain further details about its structure and potentially its dynamics, we approached the problem by NMR. In this paper we report (1)H, (15)N, and (13)C NMR assignments for the PsbQ protein. The very challenging oligo-proline stretches could be assigned using (13)C-detected NMR experiments that enabled the assignments of twelve out of the thirteen proline residues of PsbQ. The identification of PsbQ secondary structure elements on the basis of our NMR data was accomplished with the programs TALOS+, web server CS23D and CS-Rosetta. To obtain additional secondary structure information, three-bond H(N)-H(α) J-coupling constants and deviation of experimental (13)C(α) and (13)C(ß) chemical shifts from random coil values were determined. The resulting "consensus" secondary structure of PsbQ compares very well with the resolved regions of the published X-ray crystallographic structure and gives a first estimate of the structure of the "missing link" (i.e. residues 14-33), which will serve as the basis for the further investigation of the structure, dynamics and interactions.

Asymmetrically substituted cationic indole- and fluorene porphyrins inhibit tumor proliferation in small intestinal neuroendocrine tumors and medullary thyroid carcinomas.

In this study we demonstrate anticancer activity of novel fully water soluble cationic porphyrins. The two cationic porphyrins 5,10,15-tris(N-methylpyridinium-4-yl)-20-[1-phenyl-4-(3-N-phenylsulfonylindolyl)]-21H,23H-porphyrin chloride (TMPy(3)PhenIndolprot(1)P-Cl(3)) and 5-{5-[2-(9,9-Dimethyl)fluorenyl]-N-methylpyridinium-3-yl}-10,15,20-tris(N-methyl-pyridinium-4-yl)-21H,23H-porphyrin chloride (TMPy(3)PyFluorenyl(1)P-Cl(4)) were prepared and their antiproliferative effects were studied in two human tumor cell lines and a normal human fibroblast cell line. Effects of the novel porphyrin compounds were evaluated in the small intestinal neuroendocrine tumor cell line KRJ-I, the medullary thyroid carcinoma cell line MTC-SK and the normal human fibroblast cell line HF-SAR by cell counting, cell proliferation assays and cell cytotoxicity analyses. TMPy(3)PhenIndolprot(1)P-Cl(3) and TMPy(3)PyFluorenyl(1)P-Cl(4) showed antiproliferative effects in the tumor cell lines MTC-SK and KRJ-I; cell viability was decreased and cytotoxic effects were quantified, while no significant alterations of the human fibroblasts were noted. With the advantage of full water solubility and antiproliferative effects in tumor cell lines, the novel porphyrin compounds TMPy(3)PhenIndolprot(1)P-Cl(3) and TMPy(3)PyFluorenyl(1)P-Cl(4) could be a new therapeutic option in anticancer treatment.

Proisocrinins A-F, brominated anthraquinone pigments from the stalked crinoid Proisocrinus ruberrimus.

New brominated anthraquinone pigments, proisocrinins A-F (1-6), were isolated from the strikingly scarlet-colored stalked crinoid Proisocrinus ruberrimus, which had been collected in the deep sea of the Okinawa Trough, Japan. The structures of the compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis including HRMS, 1D 1H and 13C NMR, and 2D NMR. CD spectroscopy revealed that all compounds are present as optically active enantiomers. This is the first report of tribromo and tetrabromo anthraquinones from a natural source.

DNA interactions and photocatalytic strand cleavage by artificial nucleases based on water-soluble gold(III) porphyrins.

The novel gold porphyrin complex (5,10,15-tris(N-methylpyridinium-4-yl)-20-(1-pyrenyl)-porphyrinato)gold(III) chloride, [Au(III)(TMPy3Pyr1P)]Cl4, was prepared and characterized by optical spectroscopy, high-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and electrospray mass spectrometry. This cationic multichromophore compound exhibits excellent water solubility and does not form aggregates under physiological conditions. Binding interactions of this complex and related model compounds with nucleic acid substrates have been studied and characterized by NMR and circular dichroism spectroscopy. The photoreactivity of [Au(III)(TMPy3Pyr1P)]Cl4 was investigated under anaerobic and aerobic conditions in the presence of an excess of purine nucleoside, guanosine, and plasmid DNA. Photocatalytic oxidative degradation of guanosine and the change from supercoiled to circular plasmid DNA upon monochromatic irradiation and polychromatic blue-light exposure with a maximum at 420 nm was explored. The potential of the novel water-soluble cationic metallointercalator complex [Au(III)(TMPy3Pyr1P)]Cl4 to serve as a catalytic photonuclease for the cleavage of DNA has been demonstrated.

Homonuclear long-range correlation spectra from HMBC experiments by covariance processing.

We present a new application of covariance nuclear magnetic resonance processing based on 1H--13C-HMBC experiments which provides an effective way for establishing indirect 1H--1H and 13C--13C nuclear spin connectivity at natural isotope abundance. The method, which identifies correlated spin networks in terms of covariance between one-dimensional traces from a single decoupled HMBC experiment, derives 13C--13C as well as 1H--1H spin connectivity maps from the two-dimensional frequency domain heteronuclear long-range correlation data matrix. The potential and limitations of this novel covariance NMR application are demonstrated on two compounds: eugenyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside and an emodin-derivative.

Separated quadrupolar field experiment.

We describe an NMR experiment that produces spectra correlating the first-order quadrupolar spectrum and the central transition spectrum of half-integer quadrupolar spins, allowing one to separate the quadrupolar parameters in overlapping spectra under both static and magic-angle-spinning conditions. Promising fields of applications include situations where the sample cannot easily be rotated, or where it cannot be rotated at the magic angle.