BF Complexes Research Articles

Synthesis and Fluorescence Properties of Thiazole–Boron Complexes Bearing a β-Ketoiminate Ligand

Novel fluorescent dyes, thiazole-boron complexes bearing β-ketoiminate ligands, have been synthesized, and their fluorescence properties were investigated. The BF(2) complexes showed a pronounced aggregation-induced emission enhancement effect because of the restriction of C-Ph intramolecular rotation. The BPh(2) complexes showed higher fluorescence quantum yields than the corresponding BF(2) complexes, both in solution and in the solid state.

New monodentate amidine superbasic ligands with a single configuration in fac-[Re(CO)3(5,5'- or 6,6'-Me2bipyridine)(amidine)]BF4 complexes.

Treatment of two precursors, fac-[Re(CO)(3)(L)(CH(3)CN)]BF(4) [L = 5,5'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine (5,5'-Me(2)bipy) (1) and 6,6'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine (6,6'-Me(2)bipy) (2)], with five C(2)-symmetrical saturated heterocyclic amines yielded 10 new amidine complexes, fac-[Re(CO)(3)(L)(HNC(CH(3))N(CH(2)CH(2))(2)Y)]BF(4) [Y = CH(2), (CH(2))(2), (CH(2))(3), NH, or O]. All 10 complexes possess the novel feature of having only one isomer (amidine E configuration), as established by crystallographic and (1)H NMR spectroscopic methods. We are confident that NMR signals of the other possible isomer (amidine Z configuration) would have been detected, if it were present. Isomers are readily detected in closely related amidine complexes because the double-bond character of the amidine C-N3 bond (N3 is bound to Re) leads to slow E to Z isomer interchange. The new fac-[Re(CO)(3)(L)(HNC(CH(3))N(CH(2)CH(2))(2)Y)]BF(4) complexes have C-N3 bonds with essentially identical double-bond character. However, the reason that the Z isomer is so unstable as to be undetectable in the new complexes is undoubtedly because of unfavorable clashes between the equatorial ligands and the bulky N(CH(2)CH(2))(2)Y ring moiety of the axial amidine ligand. The amidine formation reactions in acetonitrile (25 °C) proceeded more easily with 2 than with 1, indicating that the distortion in 6,6'-Me(2)bipy resulting from the proximity of the methyl substituents to the inner coordination sphere enhanced the reactivity of the coordinated CH(3)CN. Reaction times for 1 and 2 exhibited a similar dependence on the basicity and ring size of the heterocyclic amine reactants. Moreover, when the product of the reaction of 1 with piperidine, fac-[Re(CO)(3)(5,5'-Me(2)bipy)(HNC(CH(3))N(CH(2)CH(2))(2)CH(2))]BF(4), was challenged in acetonitrile-d(3) or CDCl(3) with a 5-fold excess of the strong 4-dimethylaminopyridine ligand, there was no evidence for replacement of the amidine ligand after two months, thus establishing that the piperidinylamidine ligand is a robust ligand. This chemistry offers promise as a suitable means for preparing isomerically pure conjugated fac-[(99m)Tc(CO)(3)L](n±) imaging agents, including conjugates with known bioactive heterocyclic amines.

Synthesis of pyrrolyldipyrrinato BF2 complexes by oxidative nucleophilic substitution of boron dipyrromethene with pyrrole

Direct oxidative nucleophilic substitution of the 3-hydrogen of BODIPY dyes by pyrrole has been developed under reflux condition under oxygen, from which a series of pyrrolyldipyrrinato BF(2) complexes 1a-h, as extended BODIPYs, have been synthesized. Most of these BODIPYs show strong fluorescence emissions at wavelengths over 600 nm in six solvents of different polarity. Removal of the BF(2) group from BODIPY 1e gave the corresponding free base pyrrolyldipyrrin 7 as an analog of the natural product prodigiosin, in high yield.

On chirality transfer in electron donor-acceptor complexes. A prediction for the sulfinimine···BF3 system

Stabilization energies of the electron donor-acceptor sulfinimine···BF(3) complexes calculated at either the B3LYP/aug-cc-pVTZ or the MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ level do not allow to judge, whether the N- or O-atom in sulfinimine is stronger electron-donor to BF(3) . The problem seems to be solvable because chirality transfer phenomenon between chiral sulfinimine and achiral BF(3) is expected to be vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) active. Moreover, the bands associated with the achiral BF(3) molecule are predicted to be the most intense in the entire spectrum. However, the VCD band robustness analyses show that most of the chirality transfer modes of BF(3) are unreliable. Conversely, variation of VCD intensity with change of intermolecular distance, angle, and selected dihedrals between the complex partners shows that to establish the robustness of chirality transfer mode. It is also necessary to determine the influence of the potential energy surface (PES) shape on the VCD intensity. At the moment, there is still no universal criterion for the chirality transfer mode robustness and the conclusions formulated based on one system cannot be directly transferred even to a quite similar one. However, it is certain that more attention should be focused on relation of PES shape and the VCD mode robustness problem.

Synthesis of BF2 Complexes of Prodigiosin Type Oligopyrroles

We developed a simple, facile route for the synthesis of BF(2) complexes of prodigiosin type oligopyrroles and their cholesterol conjugates. This route gives an access to synthesize any desired meso-aryl-substituted 3-pyrrolyl BODIPYs which were not easily accessible earlier.

Synthesis, Crystal Structures, and Supramolecular Assemblies of Pyrrole-Based Anion Receptors Bearing Modified Pyrrole β-Substituents

Dipyrrolyldiketone BF(2) complexes acting as acyclic anion receptors form supramolecular assemblies with structures and properties that are dependent on the pyrrole β-substituents. In particular, although β-alkyl substituents interfered with the formation of stable gel states, the introduction of fluorine moieties induced a stable supramolecular gel when compared to that of β-unsubstituted receptor.

Synthesis and Spectroscopic Properties of Fused‐Ring‐Expanded Aza‐Boradiazaindacenes

A series of fused-ring-expanded aza-boradiazaindacene (aza-BODIPY) dyes have been synthesized by reacting arylmagnesium bromides with phthalonitriles or naphthalenedicarbonitriles. An analysis of the structure-property relationships has been carried out based on X-ray crystallography, optical spectroscopy, and theoretical calculations. Benzo and 1,2-naphtho-fused 3,5-diaryl aza-BODIPY dyes display markedly red shifted absorption and emission bands in the near-IR region (>700 nm) due to changes in the energies of the frontier MOs relative to those of 1,3,5,7-tetraaryl aza-BODIPYs. Only one 1,2-naphtho-fused aza-BODIPY of the three possible isomers is formed due to steric effects, and 2,3-naphtho-fused compounds could not be characterized because the final BF(2) complexes are unstable in solution. The incorporation of a -N(CH(3))(2) group at the para-positions of a benzo-fused 3,5-diaryl aza-BODIPY quenches the fluorescence in polar solvents and results in a ratiometric pH response, which could be used in future practical applications as an NIR "turn-on" fluorescence sensor.

Synthesis and Properties of Terthiophene and Bithiophene Derivatives Functionalized by BF2 Chelation: A New Type of Electron Acceptor Based on Quadrupolar Structures

Terthiophene and bithiophene derivatives functionalized by BF(2) chelation were synthesized as a new type of electron acceptor, and their properties were compared to those of bifuran and biphenyl derivatives. These new compounds are characterized by quadrupolar structures due to resonance contributors generated by BF(2) chelation. The bithiophene derivative has a strong quadrupolar character compared with the bifuran and biphenyl derivatives because their hydrolytic analyses indicated that the bithiophene moiety has a larger on-site Coulomb repulsion than the others. The terthiophene derivative has a smaller on-site Coulomb repulsion than the bithiophene derivative due to the addition of a thiophene spacer. These BF(2) complexes exhibit long-wavelength absorptions and according to measurements of ionization potentials and absorption edges they have energetically low-lying HOMOs and LUMOs. The crystal structure of the bithiophene derivative is of the herringbone type, with short F···S and F···C contacts affording dense crystal packing. n-Type semiconducting behaviour was observed in organic field-effect transistors based on these BF(2) complexes.

Cation recognition and pseudorotaxane formation of tris-dipyrrin BF2 macrocycles

Macrocyclic planar tris-dipyrrin BF(2) complexes exhibit strong alkali-metal recognition and pseudorotaxane formation ability with a secondary ammonium salt through BF(2)-cation interactions.

Solvent‐Assisted Organized Structures Based on Amphiphilic Anion‐Responsive π‐Conjugated Systems

The synthesis of amphiphilic pi-conjugated acyclic oligopyrroles and the formation of solvent-assisted aggregates are reported. We have prepared various types of BF(2) complexes of 1,3-dipyrrolylpropane-1,3-diones bearing aryl rings substituted with hydrophilic polyethyleneglycol (PEG) chains, both as acyclic anion receptors and as building subunits for organized architectures based on pi-pi stacking. The formation of supramolecular H-type assemblies of these "amphiphilic" derivatives in aqueous solution was suggested by UV/Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy and further supported by (1)H NMR and dynamic light scattering (DLS) analyses. Cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) analyses of the aqueous solutions suggest that the fabrication of nanoscale network structures and vesicles depends on the peripheral substituents. The H-aggregates in aqueous solution are sensitive to the conditions required for transformation into monomers through replacement with miscible solvents such as alcohols and into J-type aggregates by water evaporation and freeze-drying procedures. However, they are fairly stable and sustainable to anion binding, whereas on CH(2)Cl(2) extraction they are transformed into other assembled modes but remain in the aqueous solution. The metastable states of affairs for distributions between two immiscible solvents are controlled by the orders of solution preparation; this also suggests that the formation of stable assemblies is assisted by water molecules. Furthermore, assemblies in which the stacking modes depend on the aliphatic side chains are also observed in a nonpolar hydrocarbon solvent.

Synthesis and Properties of BF2 Complexes to Dihydroxydiones of Tetracene and Perylene: Novel Electron Acceptors Showing n-Type Semiconducting Behavior

BF(2) complexes containing tetracene and perylene moieties were synthesized as new types of electron-deficient arene compounds. These compounds exhibit long wavelength absorption and high electron affinities, as revealed through spectral and electrochemical studies, due to their quadrupolar structures represented by resonance contributors. The BF(2) complex containing tetracene exhibits an n-type semiconducting behavior. These compounds are new types of electron acceptors functionalized by BF(2) chelation.

The Influence of Protein-Protein Interactions on the Organization of Proteins within Thylakoid Membranes

The influence of attractive protein-protein interactions on the organization of photosynthetic proteins within the thylakoid membrane was investigated. Protein-protein interactions were simulated using Monte Carlo techniques and the influence of different interaction energies was examined. It was found that weak interactions led to protein clusters whereas strong interactions led to ramified chains. An optimum curve for the relationship between interaction energy and the number of contact sites emerged. With increasing particle densities the effect decreased. In a mixture of interacting and noninteracting particles the distance between the noninteracting particles was increased and there seemed to be much more free space around them. In thylakoids, this could lead to a more homogeneous distribution of the noninteracting but rate-limiting cytochrome bf complexes. Due to the increased free space between cytochrome bf, obstruction of binding sites—occurring unavoidably in a random distribution—may be drastically reduced. Furthermore, protein-protein interactions in thylakoids may lead to a decrease in plastoquinone diffusion.

Cytochrome b6 Arginine 214 of Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002, a Key Residue for Quinone-reductase Site Function and Turnover of the Cytochrome bf Complex

Quinone-reductase (Q(i)) domains of cyanobacterial/chloroplast cytochrome bf and bacterial/mitochondrial bc complexes differ markedly, and the cytochrome bf Q(i) site mechanism remains largely enigmatic. To investigate the bf Q(i) domain, we constructed the mutation R214H, which substitutes histidine for a conserved arginine in the cytochrome b(6) polypeptide of the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. SPCC 7002. At high light intensity, the R214H mutant grew approximately 2.5-fold more slowly than the wild type. Slower growth arose from correspondingly slower overall turnover of the bf complex. Specifically, as shown in single flash turnover experiments of cytochrome b(6) reduction and oxidation, the R214H mutation partially blocked electron transfer to the Q(i) site, mimicking the effect of the Q(i) site inhibitor 2-N-4-hydroxyquinoline-N-oxide. The kinetics of cytochrome b(6) oxidation were largely unaffected by hydrogen-deuterium exchange in the mutant but were slowed considerably in the wild type. This suggests that although protonation events influenced the kinetics of cytochrome b(6) oxidation at the Q(i) site in the wild type, electron flow limited this reaction in the R214H mutant. Redox titration of membranes revealed midpoint potentials (E(m,7)) of the two b hemes similar to those in the wild type. Our data define cytochrome b(6) Arg(214) as a key residue for Q(i) site catalysis and turnover of the cytochrome bf complex. In the recent cytochrome bf structures, Arg(214) lies near the Q(i) pocket and the newly discovered c(i) or x heme. We propose a model for Q(i) site function and a role for Arg(214) in plastoquinone binding.

The Role of Plastocyanin in the Adjustment of the Photosynthetic Electron Transport to the Carbon Metabolism in Tobacco

We investigated adaptive responses of the photosynthetic electron transport to a decline in the carbon assimilation capacity. Leaves of different ages from wild-type tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) L. var Samsun NN and young mature leaves of tobacco transformants with impaired photoassimilate export were used. The assimilation rate decreased from 280 in young mature wild-type leaves to below 50 mmol electrons mol chlorophyll(-1) s(-1) in older wild-type leaves or in transformants. The electron transport capacity, measured in thylakoids isolated from the different leaves, closely matched the leaf assimilation rate. The numbers of cytochrome (cyt)-bf complexes and plastocyanin (PC) decreased with the electron transport and assimilation capacity, while the numbers of photosystem I (PSI), photosystem II, and plastoquinone remained constant. The PC to PSI ratio decreased from five in leaves with high assimilation rates, to values below one in leaves with low assimilation rates, and the PC versus flux correlation was strictly proportional. Redox kinetics of cyt-f, PC, and P700 suggest that in leaves with low electron fluxes, PC is out of the equilibrium with P700 and cyt-f and the cyt-f reoxidation rate is restricted. It is concluded that the electron flux is sensitive to variations in the number of PC, relative to PSI and cyt-bf, and PC, in concert with cyt-bf, is a key component that adjusts to control the electron transport rate. PC dependent flux control may serve to adjust the electron transport rate under conditions where the carbon assimilation is diminished and thereby protects PSI against over-reduction and reactive oxygen production.

Kinetics of Reactions Around the Cytochrome bf Complex Studied in Intact Leaf Disks

Electron transfers in the photosynthetic electron transport chain including the cytochrome (cyt) bf and Photosystem (PS) I complexes were studied in leaves of several plant species by measuring flash-induced absorbancy changes at specific wavelengths. The electrochromic signal (ECS), indicative of a trans-thylakoid membrane electric field, consisted of a fast phase arising from charge separation in both photosystems, and a slow rise usually interpreted as charge transfer in the cyt bf complex (part of the Q-cycle). The amplitude of the slow phase of the ECS was frequently greater than could be accounted for by the withdrawal of an electron from cyt bf via plastocyanin (PC) by oxidised P700 in PS I. The ‘extra’ slow ECS, variable depending on the number of turnovers and plant species, can be attributed to a variable operation of proton-pumping activity of the cyt bf complex. The redox kinetics of cyt f and b were obtained by deconvolution of the signals at three or four wavelengths. Rates of cyt b reduction were very high, and never the same as the onset kinetics of the slow ECS. The cyt f signal suggests that a fraction of the oxidised cyt f was re-reduced only slowly in the time of 5 s between consecutive flashes. Leaf discs in far-red light were given single-turnover flashes to measure the rates of P700ox reduction and reoxidation. To simulate the redox kinetics of the ECS, cyt f, cyt b and P700 it was assumed that a Q-cycle normally operated in bf complexes; reasonable values for the appropriate rate coefficients, and for the equilibrium constants for the cyt f/PC and P700/PC reactions were chosen. Close similarity of the observed data with those predicted from the simulation was obtained for cyt b, P700 (far-red light experiments) and the ECS, but not for cyt f. The results contribute to an understanding of photosynthetic electron transfers in vivo.

Molecular architecture of the thylakoid membrane: lipid diffusion space for plastoquinone.

We have determined the stoichiometric composition of membrane components (lipids and proteins) in spinach thylakoids and have derived the molecular area occupied by these components. From this analysis, the lipid phase diffusion space, the fraction of lipids located in the first protein solvation shell (boundary lipids), and the plastoquinone (PQ) concentration are derived. On the basis of these stoichiometric data, we have analyzed the motion of PQ between photosystem (PS) II and cytochrome (cyt.) bf complexes in this highly protein obstructed membrane (protein area about 70%) using percolation theory. This analysis reveals an inefficient diffusion process. We propose that distinct structural features of the thylakoid membrane (grana formation, microdomains) could help to minimize these inefficiencies and ensure a non-rate limiting PQ diffusion process. A large amount of published evidence supports the idea that higher protein associations exist, especially in grana thylakoids. From the quantification of the boundary lipid fraction (about 60%), we conclude that protein complexes involved in these associations should be spaced by lipids. Lipid-spaced protein aggregations in thylakoids are qualitatively different to previously characterized associations (multisubunit complexes, supercomplexes). We derive a hierarchy of protein and lipid interactions in the thylakoid membrane.

Chiral phosphine-phosphite ligands in the highly enantioselective rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation.

We have investigated a series of enantiopure phosphine-phosphite ligands (P(1)-P(2) = ligands 1-4) in the rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation reaction. Intermediate [Rh(P(1)-P(2))(cod)]BF(4) and [Rh(P(1)-P(2))(5)]BF(4) complexes (cod = 1,5-cyclooctadiene; 5 = methyl acetamidoacrylate ester) were observed by (31)P[(1)H] NMR. The [Rh(P(1)-P(2))(cod)]BF(4) complexes were precursors to active catalysts of the asymmetric hydrogenation reaction of several prochiral dehydroamino acid derivatives under mild reaction conditions (1 bar of hydrogen and 20 degrees C). The enantiomeric excess reached up to 99%.

Modification of inhibitor binding sites in the cytochrome bf complex by directed mutagenesis of cytochrome b6 in Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002

The cytochrome bf complex, which links electron transfer from photosystem II to photosystem I in oxygenic photosynthesis, has not been amenable to site-directed mutagenesis in cyanobacteria. Using the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002, we have successfully modified the cytochrome b 6 subunit of the cytochrome bf complex. Single amino acid substitutions in cytochrome b 6 at the positions D148, A154, and S159 revealed altered binding of the quinol-oxidation inhibitors 2,5-dibromo-3-methyl-6-isopropyl- p-benzoquinone (DBMIB), myxothiazol, and stigmatellin. Cytochrome bf and mitochondrial-type cytochrome bc 1 complexes are closely related in structure and function but exhibit quite different inhibitor specificities. Cytochrome bf complexes are insensitive to myxothiazol and sensitive to DBMIB, whereas cytochrome bc 1 complexes are sensitive to myxothiazol and relatively insensitive to DBMIB. Measurements of flash-induced and steady-state electron transfer rates through the cytochrome bf complex revealed increased resistance to DBMIB in the mutants A154G and S159A, increased resistance to stigmatellin in A154G, and created sensitivity to myxothiazol in the mutant D148G. Therefore these mutations made the cytochrome bf complex more like the cytochrome bc 1 complex. This work demonstrates that cyanobacteria can be used as effective models to investigate structure–function relationships in the cytochrome bf complex.

Control of the photosynthetic electron transport by PQ diffusion microdomains in thylakoids of higher plants

We investigate the role of plastoquinone (PQ) diffusion in the control of the photosynthetic electron transport. A control analysis reveals an unexpected flux control of the whole chain electron transport by photosystem (PS) II. The contribution of PSII to the flux control of whole chain electron transport was high in stacked thylakoids (control coefficient, CJ(PSII)=0.85), but decreased after destacking (CJ(PSII)=0.25). From an ‘electron storage’ experiment, we conclude that in stacked thylakoids only about 50 to 60% of photoreducable PQ is involved in the light-saturated linear electron transport. No redox equilibration throughout the membrane between fixed redox groups at PSII and cytochrome (cyt) bf complexes, and the diffusable carrier PQ is achieved. The data support the PQ diffusion microdomain concept by Lavergne et al. [J. Lavergne, J.-P. Bouchaud, P. Joliot, Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1101 (1992) 13–22], but we come to different conclusions about size, structure and size distribution of domains. From an analysis of cyt b 6 reduction, as a function of PSII inhibition, we conclude that in stacked thylakoids about 70% of PSII is located in small domains, where only 1 to 2 PSII share a local pool of a few PQ molecules. Thirty percent of PSII is located in larger domains. No small domains were found in destacked thylakoids. We present a structural model assuming a hierarchy of specific, strong and weak interactions between PSII core, light harvesting complexes (LHC) II and cyt bf. Peripheral LHCII’s may serve to connect PSII–LHCII supercomplexes to a flexible protein network, by which small closed lipid diffusion compartments are formed. Within each domain, PQ moves rapidly and shuttles electrons between PSII and cyt bf complexes in the close vicinity. At the same time, long range diffusion is slow. We conclude, that in high light, cyt bf complexes located in distant stromal lamellae (20 to 30%) are not involved in the linear electron transport.

Cu(II)-α-keto acid complexes as structural models of α-keto acid-dependent enzymes: syntheses, crystal structure and properties of [Cu(L) (benzoylformate)

Three [Cu II(L)(BF)] + complexes, where L is tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (TPA) ( 1), bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (BPA) ( 2) or bis(2-benzimidazolymethyl)amine (BBA) ( 3), and BF is benzoylformate, have been synthesized as structural models for the active site of α-keto acid-dependent enzymes. Single crystals of 1 P2 1/n, a = 11.3332(1), b = 9.0159(1), c = 40.2883(1) A ̊ , Z = 4, V = 4114.62(6) A ̊ 3) were obtained and subjected to X-ray diffraction analysis. Complex 1 has a mononuclear trigonal bipyramidal Cu(II) center with a monodentate BF occupying an axial position. The solid structure of 1 appears to be maintained in solution as probed by IR, Vis, NMR and EPR spectroscopy. Spectroscopic studies of 2 and 3 with tridentate ligands replacing the tetradentate TPA ligand suggest a square pyramidal Cu(II) center in these two complexes, and the BF is proposed to bind in a bidentate manner via its two carboxylate oxygen atoms. The fact that the α-keto carbonyl is not involved in binding to the Cu(II) center suggests that it is not crucial for the formation of Cu(II)-BF complexes. This conclusion supports the working model proposed for the metal site in Cu-TfdA (Cu-substituted 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetate/α-ketoglutarate dioxygenase) and its interaction with the cofactor α-ketoglutarate.