Functionalisation of gold nanoparticles with ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes for their application in cellular imaging.

Two new dinuclear Ru(ii) polypyridyl complexes containing an alkyl disulphide functionalised bipyridine-based ligand and either 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) or 1,4,5,8-tetraazaphenanthrene (TAP) as ancillary ligands have been synthesised and characterised. Their attachment onto the surface of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs, average diameter of ca. 2.5 nm) resulted in the formation of two new water-soluble Ru(ii)-AuNP conjugates that combine the advantageous properties of both moieties. Both free complexes show the attractive photophysical properties of Ru(ii) polypyridyl complexes and a rapid cellular uptake in HeLa cervical cancer cells. However, their corresponding gold conjugates displayed lower quantum yields than those determined for the free complexes presumed to be due to an energy transfer quenching of the Ru(ii) luminescence by interaction with the gold surface. Despite their diminished luminescence, confocal fluorescence microscopy studies revealed that the Ru(ii)-AuNP conjugates are successfully internalised into HeLa cells and better tolerated than their free complex counterparts after 24 h incubation, which makes them potential luminescent nanomaterials for bioimaging applications.

Total Synthesis of Tetarimycin A, (±)-Naphthacemycin A9, and (±)-Fasamycin A: Structure-Activity Relationship Studies against Drug-Resistant Bacteria.

Making use of a reductive olefin coupling reaction and Michael-Dieckmann condensation as two key operations, we have completed a concise total synthesis of tetarimycin A, (±)-naphthacemycin A9, and (±)-fasamycin A in a highly convergent and practical protocol. Synthetic procedures thus developed have also been applied to provide related analogues for structure-activity relationship studies, thereby coming to the conclusion that the free hydroxyl group at C-10 is essential for exerting inhibitory activities against a panel of Gram-positive bacteria, including drug-resistant strains VRE and MRSA.

Total synthesis of (±)-naphthacemycin A9, possessing both antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and circumventing effect of ß-lactam resistance.

The total synthesis of KB-3346-5A9, named naphthacemycin A9, has been accomplished by combining the Dötz reaction and Suzuki-Miyaura cross coupling as well as employing Friedel-Crafts reaction with dienone-phenol rearrangement as key steps. We also describe the preparation of the simplified tetarimycin A and naphthacemycin A analogs as a model study, which coincidentally reveal unique properties of naturally occurring naphthacene-5,6,11(12H)-trione framework. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) to elucidate their structure-activity relationships (SARs), the results of which agreed with a previously reported preliminary SAR study of tetarimycin A.

Synthesis of Ethano-Bridged Diazapolycenes as Potential Precursors for Diazapolycenes and Their Properties.

A series of ethanodiazapolycenes were prepared in 87%-89% yields by Friedländer reactions of three o-aminoarenecarbaldehydes with bicyclo[2.2.2]octane-2,5-dione and their spectral, thermal, and structural properties were studied. Subsequent attempts to convert them to diazapolycenes have proved unsuccessful.

Organocatalyzed benzannulation for the construction of diverse anthraquinones and tetracenediones.

An efficient one-pot synthesis of anthraquinones and tetracenediones was achieved via L-proline catalyzed [4+2] cycloaddition of in situ generated azadiene from α,ß-unsaturated aldehydes and 1,4-naphthoquinones or 1,4-anthracenedione in good to excellent yield. This protocol constitutes an unprecedented tandem benzannulation that allows one-pot construction of diverse anthraquinones and tetracenediones in the presence of organocatalysts. This methodology was applied successfully to the synthesis of naturally occurring molecules and photochemically interesting phenanthrenequinone derivatives.

Pentacene appended to a TEMPO stable free radical: the effect of magnetic exchange coupling on photoexcited pentacene.

Understanding the fundamental spin dynamics of photoexcited pentacene derivatives is important in order to maximize their potential for optoelectronic applications. Herein, we report on the synthesis of two pentacene derivatives that are functionalized with the [(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl)oxy] (TEMPO) stable free radical. The presence of TEMPO does not quench the pentacene singlet excited state, but does quench the photoexcited triplet excited state as a function of TEMPO-to-pentacene distance. Time-resolved electron paramagnetic resonance experiments confirm that triplet quenching is accompanied by electron spin polarization transfer from the pentacene excited state to the TEMPO doublet state in the weak coupling regime.

Total synthesis of (-)-4-hydroxyzinowol.

(-)-4-Hydroxyzinowol (1) is a potent inhibitor of P-glycoprotein, which has been implicated in multi-drug resistance in the treatment of cancer. The highly oxygenated structure of 1 comprises a trans-decalin (AB-ring) and a tetrahydrofuran (C-ring) and possesses six acyloxy, one hydroxy, and one alkoxy groups. The challenge of synthesizing 1 is particularly heightened by the nine consecutive stereogenic centers on the 10-carbon decalin skeleton. The total synthesis of this extremely complex structure was achieved in 36 steps from 5-acetoxynaphthalen-1-ol by the judicious application of powerful chemo- and stereoselective reactions. The rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric 1,4-addition of the isopropenyl group set the C7-stereocenter, and the remaining three cis-oriented hydroxy groups (C6, 8, and 9) of the B-ring were stereoselectively constructed in a stepwise fashion. The C5-tetra-substituted and C10-quaternary carbons at the juncture of the AB-ring were then introduced by oxidative dearomatization and Diels-Alder reaction, respectively. After acid-promoted formation of the C-ring ether, the C1-, 2-, 4- and 6-oxygen-based functional groups were stereoselectively installed to deliver the fully functionalized tricycle. Finally, the polyhydroxylated structure was converted to the polyacylated target molecule 1 via regioselective acetylation and benzoylation.

Preparation and photoelectrochemical behavior of 1,4,6,8,11,13-hexazapentacene (HAP).

Photoelectrochemical studies demonstrated that 1,4,6,8,11,13-hexazapentacene (HAP) exhibited active n-type semiconductor behavior under visible light (λ > 400 nm) illumination.

Total synthesis of hibarimicinone, a v-Src tyrosine kinase inhibitor possessing the pseudo-dimer structure of tetracycline.

The total synthesis of hibarimicinone, a potent v-Src tyrosine kinase inhibitor possessing thirteen stereogenic centers and an axial chirality, has been achieved. The key step to constructing the eight-ring skeleton was the double Michael­Dieckmann-type cyclization (Hauser annulation) using a thiolactone pseudo-dimer. These synthetic studies indicated the efficiency of the thiolactone-employed route to synthesize the multiply functionalized polycyclic compounds. The ABCD-ring moiety including the bridging ether was constructed by a strategy including oxidation of the C-ring hydroquinone and the subsequent transfer of the oxidation stage to the neighboring ring. The atropisomer of hibarimicinone was also synthesized to confirm the structure of the natural product.

Dibromoisobenzofuran as a formal equivalent of didehydroisobenzofuran: reactive platform for expeditious assembly of polycycles.

Two-directional annulation of dibromoisobenzofuran, a formal equivalent to didehydroisobenzofuran, was developed. Importantly, selective bromine-lithium exchange allows the tandem generation of benzynes and dual cycloadditions with two different arynophiles. Also described is the application to the synthesis of a substituted pentacene.

Functionalization of organic semiconductor crystals via the Diels-Alder reaction.

A surface adlayer is generated on organic single crystals (tetracene and rubrene) using the site specific Diels-Alder reaction and a series of vapor phase dienophiles. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirms adsorption on the surfaces of tetracene and rubrene and mass spectrometry demonstrates the reaction's applicability to a range of dienophiles.

Total syntheses of HMP-Y1, hibarimicinone, and HMP-P1.

Total syntheses of HMP-Y1, atrop-HMP-Y1, hibarimicinone, atrop-hibarimicinone, and HMP-P1 are described using a two-directional synthesis strategy. A novel benzyl fluoride Michael-Claisen reaction sequence was developed to construct the complete carbon skeleton of HMP-Y1 and atrop-HMP-Y1 via a symmetrical, two-directional, double annulation. Through efforts to convert HMP-Y1 derivatives to hibarimicinone and HMP-P1, a biomimetic mono-oxidation to desymmetrize protected HMP-Y1 was realized. A two-directional unsymmetrical double annulation and biomimetic etherification was developed to construct the polycyclic and highly oxidized skeleton of hibarimicinone, atrop-hibarimicinone, and HMP-P1. The use of a racemic biaryl precursor allowed for the synthesis of both hibarimicinone atropisomers and provides the first confirmation of the structure of atrop-hibarimicinone. Additionally, this work documents the first reported full characterization of atrop-hibarimicinone, HMP-Y1, atrop-HMP-Y1, and HMP-P1. Last, a pH-dependent rotational barrier about the C2-C2' bond of hibarimicinone was discovered, which provides valuable information necessary to achieve syntheses of the glycosylated congeners of hibarimicinone.

Why triple bonds protect acenes from oxidation and decomposition.

An experimental and computational study on the impact of functional groups on the oxidation stability of higher acenes is presented. We synthesized anthracenes, tetracenes, and pentacenes with various substituents at the periphery, identified their photooxygenation products, and measured the kinetics. Furthermore, the products obtained from thermolysis and the kinetics of the thermolysis are investigated. Density functional theory is applied in order to predict reaction energies, frontier molecular orbital interactions, and radical stabilization energies. The combined results allow us to describe the mechanisms of the oxidations and the subsequent thermolysis. We found that the alkynyl group not only enhances the oxidation stability of acenes but also protects the resulting endoperoxides from thermal decomposition. Additionally, such substituents increase the regioselectivity of the photooxygenation of tetracenes and pentacenes. For the first time, we oxidized alkynylpentacenes by using chemically generated singlet oxygen ((1)O(2)) without irradiation and identified a 6,13-endoperoxide as the sole regioisomer. The bimolecular rate constant of this oxidation amounts to only 1 × 10(5) s(-1) M(-1). This unexpectedly slow reaction is a result of a physical deactivation of (1)O(2). In contrast to unsubstituted or aryl-substituted acenes, photooxygenation of alkynyl-substituted acenes proceeds most likely by a concerted mechanism, while the thermolysis is well explained by the formation of radical intermediates. Our results should be important for the future design of oxidation stable acene-based semiconductors.

An improved synthesis of pentacene: rapid access to a benchmark organic semiconductor.

Pentacene is an organic semiconductor used in a variety of thin-film organic electronic devices. Although at least six separate syntheses of pentacene are known (two from dihydropentacenes, two from 6,13-pentacenedione and two from 6,13-dihydro-6,13-dihydroxypentacene), none is ideal and several utilize elevated temperatures that may facilitate the oxidation of pentacene as it is produced. Here, we present a fast (-2 min of reaction time), simple, high-yielding (≥ 90%), low temperature synthesis of pentacene from readily available 6,13-dihydro-6,13-dihydroxypentacene. Further, we discuss the mechanism of this highly efficient reaction. With this improved synthesis, researchers gain rapid, affordable access to high purity pentacene in excellent yield and without the need for a time consuming sublimation.

A way to stable, highly emissive fluorubine dyes: tuning the electronic properties of azaderivatives of pentacene by introducing substituted pyrazines.

Pentacene and its derivatives are among the most important examples of π-electron-rich molecules used in organic field effect transistors. The replacement of CH groups by nitrogen atoms opens an elegant way to generate highly electron-deficient molecules, known as oligoazaacenes. We describe the synthesis and spectroscopic properties of two novel derivatives of this family, namely the zwitterionic and quinoidal conjugated forms of dihydro-5,6,7,12,13,14-hexaazapentacene (fluorubine). We outline a powerful strategy to tune the electronic properties of these redox-active azaacenes by the selective introduction of substituted pyrazines. Their acidochromic and solvatochromic behaviour is investigated experimentally and interpreted with the help of theoretical calculations. The simple "exchange" of substituents or protonation is shown to significantly alter the spectroscopic and electronic properties of these remarkably stable π-systems. Their exceptional optical properties, such as high fluorescence quantum yields combined with a redox-active behaviour, make them promising candidates for sensor materials. Additional marked features in the solid state, such as herringbone packing in combination with short π-π distances, will open access to electronic materials.

Assignment and stereocontrol of hibarimicin atropoisomers.

A stereochemical feature of the hibarimicins is a central biaryl (HMP-Y6) or aryl-quinone (hibarimicinone) incorporated as a single atropodiastereomer. Herein, a chiral resolution and deracemization process to access optically enriched biaryls aR-3 and aS-3 is described. From these atropoenantiomers the BCD-EFG ring system of HMP-Y6 is constructed [(+)-aR-7]. Comparison of CD spectra of aR-7 to HMP-Y6 leads to the assignment of HMP-Y6 and hibarimicin B atropoisomers as aR and aS, respectively.

A novel thiophene-fused polycyclic aromatic with a tetracene core: synthesis, characterization, optical and electrochemical properties.

FeCl3-mediated oxidative cyclization was successfully used to construct an extended thiophene-pendant pyrene skeleton and synthesize a novel thiophene-fused polycyclic aromatic (THTP-C) with a tetracene core. The identity of the compound was confirmed by ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, MS, and elemental analysis. Meanwhile, a single crystal of THTP-C was obtained and analyzed by X-ray single-crystal diffraction. THTP-C has a "saddle" shaped π-conjugated 1-D supramolecular structure, and favors highly ordered self-assembly by π-π interactions as evidenced by its concentration-dependent ¹H-NMR spectra in solution. The optical properties of THTP-C were investigated by ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy and its electrochemical properties were investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV). The relatively large band gap (2.86 eV), low E(HOMO) level (-5.64 eV) and intermolecular π-π interactions imply that THTP-C has a high stability against photo-degradation and oxidation, and may be a promising candidate for stable hole-transporting materials.

Bis(methylthio)tetracenes: synthesis, crystal-packing structures, and OFET properties.

5,12-Bis(methylthio)tetracene (2) and 5,11-bis(methylthio)tetracene (3) were synthesized. DFT calculations indicate that the HOMO and LUMO energy levels of 2 and 3 are lowered by 0.13-0.24 eV and their HOMO-LUMO energy gaps are reduced by 0.1 eV relative to those of tetracene. X-ray crystallographic data revealed that 2 is arranged as a result of a 1-D slipped-cofacial π-stacking with S-S and S-π interactions, similar to the packing arrangement of 6,13-bis(methylthio)pentacene (1), whereas 3 exhibits a herringbone packing arrangement without S-S interactions. The OFET devices fabricated using spin-coated films of soluble 1 and 2, with a bottom-contact device configuration, exhibited hole mobilities as high as 1.3 × 10(-2) and 4.0 × 10(-2) cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) with current on/off ratios of over 10(5) and 10(4), respectively.

A new tetrathiafulvalene-phenoxynaphthacenequinone dyad: switching on the intramolecular electron-transfer with UV light irradiation and metal ion coordination.

The metal ion-promoted intramolecular electron transfer within TTF-based dyad 1 containing a photochromic PNQ unit can be switched on with UV light irradiation by taking advantage of the photochromic feature of the PNQ unit and the fact that the trans and ana forms of PNQ show different electron accepting capacity.

White-light-emitting self-assembled nanofibers and their evidence by microspectroscopy of individual objects.

The self-assembly of a blue-emitting light-harvesting organogelator and specifically designed highly fluorescent tetracenes yields nanofibers with tunable emissive properties. In particular, under near-UV excitation, white light emission is achieved in organogels and dry films of nanofibers. Confocal fluorescence microspectroscopy demonstrates that each individual nanofiber emits white light. A kinetic study shows that an energy transfer (ET) occurs between the blue-emitting anthracene derivative and the green- and red-emitting tetracenes, while inter-tetracene ETs also take place. Moreover, microscopy unravels that the nanofibers emit polarized emission in the blue spectral region, while at wavelengths higher than 500 nm the emission is not significantly polarized.