Room-temperature monoclinic and low-temperature triclinic phase-transition structures of meso-octamethylcalix[4]pyrrole-dimethyl sulfoxide (1/1).

Crystals of the title complex, C28H36N4*C2H6OS, undergo a phase transition between room temperature and 198 K, as determined by X-ray diffraction techniques. A monoclinic form is observed at room temperature, while a triclinic modification is found at 198 K, with Z' changing from 1 to 2. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) of the calixpyrrole-dimethyl sulfoxide complex revealed a series of phase changes between 273 and 243 K. The transition from the room-temperature monoclinic form to the low-temperature triclinic form is reversible, as determined by changes in the cell dimensions from remeasuring selected reflections at room temperature and at temperatures below 223 K. The uncomplexed calix[4]pyrrole molecule shows no phase changes occurring between room temperature and 233 K, the low-temperature limit of the DSC.

2-amidopyrroles and 2,5-diamidopyrroles as simple anion binding agents.

Four new 2-amidopyrroles and 2,5-diamidopyrroles have been synthesized and their anion complexation properties investigated. The crystal structures of these receptors have been elucidated and reveal hydrogen bonding in the solid state leading to dimer and network formation. Selectivity for oxo-anions has been demonstrated by (1)H NMR titration techniques.

Membrane impermeant antioestrogens discriminate between ligand- and voltage-gated cation channels in NG108-15 cells.

Native 5-HT(3) and AChR ligand-gated cation channels can be inhibited (blocked) by the non-steroidal antioestrogen tamoxifen. However, the exact site and mechanism of inhibition by tamoxifen on these channels remain unclear. We have investigated the action of the membrane impermeant quaternary derivative, ethylbromide tamoxifen (EBT), on native ligand-gated 5-HT(3) receptor channels and voltage-gated K(+) channels in NG108-15 cells using whole cell patch clamp. Extracellular EBT inhibited whole cell cationic currents of 5-HT(3) receptors with IC(50) of 0.22+/-0.4 microM (n(H)=1.05+/-0.2). The channel block was characterised by voltage independent and use independent behaviour (similar to that of tamoxifen). EBT was unable to inhibit voltage-gated K(+) currents in NG108-15 cells. This was in contrast to the inhibition by tamoxifen which, at similar concentrations, accelerated the apparent inactivation of these outward K(+) currents. The inhibition of 5-HT(3) receptors by a membrane impermeant derivative of tamoxifen supports the view that the binding site for antioestrogens is extracellular and the inhibition is not mediated through genomic/transcriptional activity.

Lithiation of meso-octamethylcalix[4]pyrrole: a general route to C-Rim monosubstituted calix[4]pyrroles.

Lithiation and subsequent addition of an electrophile to meso-octamethylcalix[4]pyrrole provides a straightforward synthetic route to new, C-rim monosubstituted calix[4]pyrroles. A variety of electrophiles were used, resulting in calix[4]pyrroles with appended functional groups including carboxyl, ester, iodo, and formyl. This method was optimized to give maximum yields of the monosubstituted derivatives with lowest possible contamination by di- and trisubstituted congeners. Solid-state studies, performed for a number of these derivatives, showed unexpected supramolecular interactions involving both solvents and the monosubstituted calix[4]pyrrole derivatives themselves.