Antioxidative Reaction of Carotenes against Peroxidation of Fatty Acids Initiated by Nitrogen Dioxide: A Theoretical Study.

In this study, we investigated the antioxidative functions of carotenes (CARs) against the peroxidation of lipids initiated by nitrogen dioxide using density functional theory. The hydrogen-atom transfer (HAT), radical adduct formation (RAF), and electron transfer (ET) mechanisms were investigated. We chose ß-carotene (ß-CAR) and lycopene (LYC) and compared their NO2(•) initiations and peroxidations with those of linoleic acid (LAH), the model of the lipid. We found that for CARs ET is more likely to occur in the most polar (water) environment than are HAT and RAF. In less polar environments, CARs react more readily with NO2(•) via HAT and RAF than does the lipid model, LAH. Comparatively, reaction barriers for the RAF between CARs and NO2(•) are smaller than those for the HAT. The additions of O2 to the radical intermediates O2N-CAR(•) and CAR(-H)(•) involve sizable barriers and are endergonic. Other than HAT of LAH, we revealed that lipid peroxidation is likely to be initiated by -NO2 addition and the subsequent barrierless addition of O2. Finally, LYC is a more effective antioxidative agent against NO2(•)-initiated lipid peroxidation than is ß-CAR.

A fluorescence enhancement-based sensor for hydrogen sulfate ion.

Sugar-aza-crown ether-based cavitand 1 can act as a selective turn-on fluorescence sensor for hydrogen sulfate ion in methanol among a series of tested anions. Spectroscopic studies, particularly NMR spectroscopy, revealed that the C-H hydrogen bonding between 1,2,3-triazole ring of cavitand 1 and hydrogen sulfate ion is crucial for the high selectivity of the receptor for hydrogen sulfate.

A simple and highly selective receptor for iodide in aqueous solution.

We synthesized a simple fluorescent receptor 3 bearing two boronic acid groups as recognition sites. The recognition behaviour of receptor 3 towards various anions was evaluated in THF/H(2)O (1:1, v/v) solution. Receptor 3 showed high selectivity for iodide among a series of anions. Fluorescence spectroscopy and computational calculations revealed that the electrostatic interaction played a crucial role in its high selectivity for iodide.

Aluminium complexes containing bidentate and symmetrical tridentate pincer type pyrrolyl ligands: synthesis, reactions and ring opening polymerization.

A series of aluminium derivatives containing substituted bidentate and symmetrical tridentate pyrrolyl ligands, [C(4)H(3)NH(2-CH(2)NH(t)Bu)] and [C(4)H(2)NH(2,5-CH(2)NH(t)Bu)(2)], in toluene or diethyl ether were synthesized. Their reactivity and application for the ring opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone have been investigated. The reaction of AlMe(3) with one equiv. of [C(4)H(3)NH(2-CH(2)NH(t)Bu)] in toluene at room temperature affords [C(4)H(3)N(2-CH(2)NH(t)Bu)]AlMe(2) (1) in 70% yield by elimination of one equiv. of methane. Interestingly, while reacting AlMe(3) with one equiv. of [C(4)H(3)NH(2-CH(2)NH(t)Bu)] in toluene at 0 °C followed by refluxing at 100 °C, [{C(4)H(3)N(2-CH(2)N(t)Bu)}AlMe](2) (2) has been isolated via fractional recrystalliztion in 30% yield. Similarly, reacting AlMe(3) with two equiv. of C(4)H(3)NH(2-CH(2)NH(t)Bu) generates [C(4)H(3)N(2-CH(2)NH(t)Bu)](2)AlMe (3) in a moderate yield. Furthermore, complex 1 can be transformed to an aluminium alkoxide derivative, [C(4)H(3)N(2-CH(2)NH(t)Bu)][OC(6)H(2)(-2,6-(t)Bu(2)-4-Me)]AlMe (4) by reacting 1 with one equiv. of HOC(6)H(2)(-2,6-(t)Bu(2)-4-Me) in toluene via the elimination of one equiv. of methane. The reaction of AlR(3) with one equiv. of [C(4)H(2)NH(2,5-CH(2)NH(t)Bu)(2)] in toluene at room temperature affords [C(4)H(2)N(2,5-CH(2)NH(t)Bu)(2)]AlR(2) (5, R = Me; 6, R = Et) in moderate yield. Surprisingly, from the reaction of two equiv. of [C(4)H(2)NH(2,5-CH(2)NH(t)Bu)(2)] with LiAlH(4) in diethyl ether at 0 °C, a novel complex, [C(4)H(2)N(2-CH(2)N(t)Bu)(5-CH(2)NH(t)Bu)](2)AlLi (7) has been isolated after repeating re-crystallization. Furthermore, reacting one equiv. of C(4)H(2)NH(2,5-CH(2)NH(t)Bu)(2) with AlH(3)·NMe(3) in diethyl ether generates an aluminium dihydride complex, [C(4)H(2)N(2,5-CH(2)NH(t)Bu)(2)]AlH(2) (8), in high yield. Additionally, treating 8 with one equiv. of HOC(6)H(2)(-2,6-(t)Bu(2)-4-Me) in methylene chloride produces [C(4)H(2)N(2,5-CH(2)NH(t)Bu)(2)][OC(6)H(2)(-2,6-(t)Bu(2)-4-Me)]AlH (9) with the elimination of one equiv. of H(2). The aluminium alkoxide complex 4 shows moderate reactivity toward the ring opening polymerization of ε-caprolatone in toluene.

A sugar-aza-crown ether-based fluorescent sensor for Cu2+ and Hg2+ ions.

A sugar-aza-crown ether (SAC)-based fluorescent sensor 4 was prepared. It contains a pyrene as the fluorophore and its fluoroionophoric properties toward transition metal ions were investigated. Chemosensor 4 exhibits highly selective recognition toward Cu(2+) and Hg(2+) ions among a series of tested metal ions in methanol solution. The association constants for 4*Cu(2+) and 4*Hg(2+) in methanol solution were calculated to be 7.4×10(1)M(-1) and 4.4×10(3)M(-1), respectively. Chemosensor 4 formed complexes with the Cu(2+) or Hg(2+) ion at a 1:1 ligand-to-metal ratio with a detection limit of 1.3×10(-4)M Cu(2+) and 1.26×10(-5)MHg(2+), respectively.

Synthesis of highly selective indole-based sensors for mercuric ion.

Two indole-based fluorescent chemosensors 1 and 2 were prepared and investigated characteristic features with transition metal ions. Sensors 1 and 2 were selective for Hg(2+) ion, among a series of metal ions, in aqueous ethanol (H(2)O-EtOH, 1:2, v/v) with association constants of 5.74 × 10(3) and 4.46 × 10(3) M(-1) and detection limits of 7.4 and 6.8 µM, respectively. Computational results revealed that sensor 1 or 2 with Hg(2+) ion formed 1:1 complex with a central, sandwich-coordinated Hg(2+) ion. Computational calculations provided evidence that a sandwich-coordinated Hg(2+) ion center was formed and the polyoxyethylene spacer acted as a scaffold for bringing functional ligands into a suitable geometry.

A pyrenyl-appended triazole-based ribose as a fluorescent sensor for Hg2+ ion.

For the efficient detection of toxic trace metal ions, two pyrenyl-appended triazole-based d-ribose fluorescent chemosensors 6 and 7 were prepared and their fluoroionophoric properties toward transition metal ions were investigated. Chemosensors 6 and 7 exhibit highly selective recognition toward Hg(2+) ion among a series of tested metal ions in CH(2)Cl(2)/MeOH solution. The association constants of 6 and 7 are calculated to be 1.73 × 10(5)M(-1) and 4.44 × 10(5)M(-1), respectively. Both 6 and 7 formed complexes with the Hg(2+) ion at a 1:1 ligand-to-metal ratio with a detection limit of 10-15 µM Hg(2+). Computational analysis demonstrated that the Hg(2+) ion occupied the coordination center of 6 with N(2) and N(3) atoms in two triazole groups, thus separating and distorting the two parallel pyrenes away from each other.

A water-soluble ribosyl-based fluorescent sensor for Hg2+ and Cu2+ ions.

A water-soluble ribosyl-based fluorescent sensor 5 was prepared. The sensor contains an anthracene as the fluorophore and a set of complex groups as recognition sites, which bears two triazole ring spacers linked to two ribosyl carboxylic acids groups. The association constants of 5 in water are 2.15x10(5)M(-1) and 9.57x10(4)M(-1) for Cu(2+) and Hg(2+) ions, respectively, and both metals formed complexes with 5 at a 1:1 metal to ligand ratio. The binding of 5 to Cu(2+) shows a broad pH range (5-10) and a low detection limit (57ppb) in water, thus indicating it an efficient and promising cation probe.

A new type of asymmetric tridentate pyrrolyl-linked pincer ligand and its aluminum dihydride complexes.

The new pyrrolyl-linked pincer-type ligand, [C(4)H(2)NH(2-CH(2)NH(t)Bu)(5-CH(2)NMe(2))] (1), that has been employed conveniently in high yield by treatment of (2-t-butylaminomethyl)pyrrole with 1 equiv of formaldehyde and dimethylamine hydrochloride each in diethylether and its corresponding aluminum derivative, [C(4)H(2)N(2-CH(2)NH(t)Bu)(5-CH(2)NMe(2))]AlH(2) (2), that has been generated from Me(3)N.AlH(3) using diethylether as a solvent are described. Furthermore, reactions of 2 with 2 equiv of either 1,3-diphenylpropane-1,3-dione in diethylether or phenyl thioisocyanate in dichloromethane interestingly formed [C(4)H(2)N(2-CH(2)NH(t)Bu)(5-CH(2)NMe(2))]Al(PhCOCHCOPh)(2) (3) and [C(4)H(2)N(2-CH(2)NH(t)Bu)(5-CH(2)NMe(2))]Al(SCHNPh)(2) (4), respectively, following deprotonation or hydroalumination reaction kinetics under a dry nitrogen environment. All of the compounds have been subjected to the X-ray diffraction technique in the solid state as well as characterized by NMR spectra.