Helical Complexes Research Articles

Impact of Isomeric Dicarboxylate Ligands on the Formation of One-Dimensional Coordination Polymers and Metallocycles: A Novel cis→trans Isomerization.

A series of Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) coordination polymers and dinuclear metallocycles containing 4-aminopyridine (4-ampy) and benzenedicarboxylate ligands, {[M(4-ampy)2(1,4-BDC)]·H2O·CH3CH2OH}n (M = Ni, 1a; Co, 1b, 1,4-H2BDC = benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid), {[Ni2(4-ampy)4(1,3-BDC)2]·H2O·CH3CH2OH}n (1,3-H2BDC = benzene-1,3-dicarboxylic acid), 2, [M2(4-ampy)4(1,2-BDC)2] (M = Ni, 3a; Co, 3b, 1,2-H2BDC = benzene-1,2-dicarboxylic acid), [Co(4-ampy)2(1,3-BDC)]n, 4, {[Cu(4-ampy)2(1,4-BDC)] CH3CH2OH}n, 5a, and {[Cu(4-ampy)2(1,4-BDC)]·H2O}n, 5b·H2O, are reported, which were hydrothermally prepared and structurally characterized by using single crystal X-ray diffraction. Complexes 1a and 1b are isomorphous 1D zigzag chains, while 2 displays a concave–convex chain and 3a and 3b are dinuclear metallocycles that differ in the boding modes of the 1,2-BDC2− ligands, forming a 3D and a 2D supramolecular structures with the pcu and sql topologies, respectively. Complex 4 exhibit a 1D helical chain and complexes 5a and 5b·H2O are 1D linear and zigzag chains, in which the Cu2-1,4-BDC2− units adopt the cis and trans configurations, respectively. A novel irreversible structural transformation due to cis→trans isomerization of the Cu2-1,4-BDC2− units was observed in 5b⋅H2O and 5a upon water adsorption of the desolvated product of 5b·H2O.

Redox-Induced Structural Switching through Sporadic Pyridine-Bridged CoIICoII Dimer and Electrocatalytic Proton Reduction.

The homodinuclear CoII helicate complex [CoII(DQPD)]2 (1) was prepared by treating [Co(H2O)6](ClO4)2 with the deprotonated form of the ligand N2,N6-bis(quinolin-8-yl)pyridine-2,6-dicarboxamide (DQPDH2). Complex 1 represents a discrete homodinuclear helicate complex with two CoII centers having a distorted-octahedral geometry through an unprecedented pyridine bridge. Complex 1, upon treatment with H2O2, undergoes oxidation at one of the CoII centers followed by a structural deformation to generate the mixed-valence complex [CoIIICoII(DQPD)2](ClO4) (2·ClO4). In complex 2, the bridging through the central pyridine collapses along with the formation of Co(III) octahedral and Co(II) tetrahedral environments. Complexes 1 and 2 interconvert to one another. The effective magnetic moments for complexes 1 and 2 are respectively 5.88 and 4.30 μB. Complexes 1 and 2 have been employed for electrocatalytic proton reduction using AcOH as the proton source in 95/5 (v/v) DMF/H2O. A TOF of 30000 mmol of H2 h-1 (mol of 1)-1 at a potential of -1.7 V vs SCE was achieved. A resting-state analysis has been carried out to support the mechanism for the catalytic proton reduction.

Optically Active Helical Lanthanide Complexes: Storable Chiral Lewis Acidic Catalysts for Enantioselective Diels-Alder Reaction of Siloxydienes.

Lanthanide triflates and a series of hexadentate chiral ligand complexes were synthesized. X-ray-quality crystals were obtained from mixtures of the lanthanide complexes, which were helical in shape. The complexes showed Lewis acidity and catalyzed the enantioselective Diels-Alder reaction of electron-rich siloxydienes. The complexes were stable enough to be stored at ambient temperature on a laboratory bench and retained their Lewis acidity even after a month.

Bimetallic scorpionate-based helical organoaluminum complexes for efficient carbon dioxide fixation into a variety of cyclic carbonates

The binuclear aluminum complexes [AlR2(κ2-NN′;κ2-NN′)AlR2] with TBAB/PPNCl behave as excellent systems for cyclic carbonate formation from CO2with challenging epoxides.

P-P Condensation and P-N/P-P Bond Metathesis: Facile Synthesis of Cationic Tri- and Tetraphosphanes.

[LC RP((PhP)2C2H4)][OTf] (4 a,b[OTf]) and [LC iPrP(PPh2)2][OTf] (5 b[OTf]) were prepared from the reaction of imidazoliumyl‐substituted dipyrazolylphosphane triflate salts [LC RP(pyr)2][OTf] (3 a,b[OTf]; a: R=Me, b=iPr; LC R=1,3‐dialkyl‐4,5‐dimethylimidazol‐2‐yl; pyr=3,5‐dimethylpyrazol‐1‐yl) with the secondary phosphanes PhP(H)C2H4P(H)Ph) and Ph2PH. A stepwise double P−N/P−P bond metathesis to catena‐tetraphosphane‐2,3‐diium triflate salt [(Ph2P)2(LC MeP)2][OTf]2 (7 a[OTf]2) is observed when reacting 3 a[OTf] with diphosphane P2Ph4. The coordination ability of 5 b[OTf] was probed with selected coinage metal salts [Cu(CH3CN)4]OTf, AgOTf and AuCl(tht) (tht=tetrahydrothiophene). For AuCl(tht), the helical complex [{(Ph2PPLC iPr)Au}4][OTf]4 (9[OTf]4) was unexpectedly formed as a result of a chloride‐induced P−P bond cleavage. The weakly coordinating triflate anion enables the formation of the expected copper(I) and silver(I) complexes [(5 b)M(CH3CN)3][OTf]2 (M=Cu, Ag) (10[OTf]2, 11[OTf]2).

P−P Condensation and P−N/P−P Bond Metathesis: Facile Synthesis of Cationic Tri‐ and Tetraphosphanes

Abstract[LCRP((PhP)2C2H4)][OTf] (4 a,b[OTf]) and [LCiPrP(PPh2)2][OTf] (5 b[OTf]) were prepared from the reaction of imidazoliumyl‐substituted dipyrazolylphosphane triflate salts [LCRP(pyr)2][OTf] (3 a,b[OTf]; a: R=Me, b=iPr; LCR=1,3‐dialkyl‐4,5‐dimethylimidazol‐2‐yl; pyr=3,5‐dimethylpyrazol‐1‐yl) with the secondary phosphanes PhP(H)C2H4P(H)Ph) and Ph2PH. A stepwise double P−N/P−P bond metathesis to catena‐tetraphosphane‐2,3‐diium triflate salt [(Ph2P)2(LCMeP)2][OTf]2 (7 a[OTf]2) is observed when reacting 3 a[OTf] with diphosphane P2Ph4. The coordination ability of 5 b[OTf] was probed with selected coinage metal salts [Cu(CH3CN)4]OTf, AgOTf and AuCl(tht) (tht=tetrahydrothiophene). For AuCl(tht), the helical complex [{(Ph2PPLCiPr)Au}4][OTf]4 (9[OTf]4) was unexpectedly formed as a result of a chloride‐induced P−P bond cleavage. The weakly coordinating triflate anion enables the formation of the expected copper(I) and silver(I) complexes [(5 b)M(CH3CN)3][OTf]2 (M=Cu, Ag) (10[OTf]2, 11[OTf]2).

Lanthanide-Oligomeric Brush Films: From Luminescence Properties to Structure Resolution.

Lanthanide (Ln) based luminescent materials are experiencing an increasing interest in their applications in several fields. In this study, we report a series of new lanthanide-oligomeric brush films, supported on quartz substrates and prepared using a layer-by-layer method (LbL). Oligomeric brush films are composed of small oligomers from our previously reported coordination polymers [x-EuL] and [x-TbL] (with x = 1, 3, and 5 generations of Ln complexes), which are grown perpendicularly from a carboxylate self-assembled monolayer. Oligomers composed of our previously described helical lanthanide complex LnL (Ln: Eu and Tb) as a luminescent moiety and benzene-1,4-dicarboxylate acid (bdc) used as a linker. Mixed films having the fifth-generation Ln complexes composed of equimolar mixture of Eu and Tb ions were prepared. Oligomeric brush films are highly transparent and exhibited a colored emission under UV irradiation. Pure Ln (Eu or Tb) films showed a strong luminescence from the Ln ions. Their luminescent properties depended on the number of lanthanide layers in the films composed of the first to third generations of lanthanide complexes. Then, the increase of the complex layers induced no difference in the luminescent properties. An energy transfer from Tb to Eu ions in the mixed films indicated a short distance between lanthanide ions of a fifth layer. The structural analysis together with the observed luminescent properties and some previous studies allowed to clarify the disposition of the oligomers in the films.

Effect of complex turbulator on heat transfer of nanomaterial considering turbulent flow

To exhibit the nanomaterial hydrothermal behavior within a duct, FVM has been utilized and to augment the performance, helical complex device was incorporated. To achieve the formulation of problem, K–ɛ model was applied with considering CuO–water nanomaterial. Outputs in forms of velocity and temperature contours have been extracted. Stronger tangential contact of carrier fluid with outer wall guarantees the thinner boundary layer with rise of inlet velocity and friction loss augments. The increase of turbulator width results in augment of Nu owing to greater tangential flow and more fluctuations.

Syntheses, crystal structures, and solid-state spectroscopic properties of helical and non-helical dinuclear zinc(II) complexes derived from N2O2 ligands with different torsion-generating sources

The reaction of bis(N-salicylidene)-4,4′-diaminodiphenyl)ether (4OsalH2) with zinc(II) ion affords a 2:2 dinuclear zinc(II) complex formulated as [Zn2(4Osal)2]. A similar 2:2 dinuclear zinc(II) complex, [Zn2(4Ssal)2], can be obtained by the reaction of bis(N-salicylidene)-4,4′-diaminodiphenyl)thioether (4SsalH2) with zinc(II) ion. These two complexes, [Zn2(4Osal)2] and [Zn2(4Ssal)2], take similar helical structures. Although bis(N-salicylidene)-3,3′-diaminodiphenyl)methane (3MsalH2) and bis(N-salicylidene)-2,2′-diaminodiphenyl)thioether (2SsalH2) give dinuclear complexes with similar compositions, [Zn2(3Msal)2] and [Zn2(2Ssal)2], respectively, their structures are quite different from those of [Zn2(4Osal)2] and [Zn2(4Ssal)2]. Namely, [Zn2(3CH2sal)2] and [Zn2(2Ssal)2] take the mosocate and the phenoxo-bridged dinuclear structures, respectively. Such structural differences between the formed complexes occur depending on the relative positions of the two amino groups of the precursor dianiline, and reflect their diffuse reflectance and photoluminescence spectral behaviours. It has become clear that the electronic transitions of such a complex strongly depend on the relative arrangement of the two amino groups in the precursor dianiline compound as well as the kind of the central atom linking two aniline frameworks.

Halogen Bonding Helicates Encompassing Iodonium Cations.

The first halonium‐ion‐based helices were designed and synthesized using oligo‐aryl/pyridylene‐ethynylene backbones that fold around reactive iodonium ions. Halogen bonding interactions stabilize the iodonium ions within the helices. Remarkably, the distance between two iodonium ions within a helix is shorter than the sum of their van der Waals radii. The helical conformations were characterized by X‐ray crystallography in the solid state, by NMR spectroscopy in solution and corroborated by DFT calculations. The helical complexes possess potential synthetic utility, as demonstrated by their ability to induce iodocyclization of 4‐penten‐1‐ol.

Insight into the formation, structure and digestibility of lotus seed amylose-fatty acid complexes prepared by high hydrostatic pressure

Lotus seed amylose-fatty acid complexes were prepared using high hydrostatic pressure and the relationship between their structural properties and digestibility was investigated. The formation of lotus seed amylose-fatty acid complexes increased the values of weight molar mass (Mw), number molar mass (Mn), polydispersity index and resistant starch content compared to those of amylose controls. Mw and Mn values of lotus seed amylose and complexes decreased with an increase in high hydrostatic pressure from 500 MPa to 600 MPa, suggesting that the lotus seed amylose was decomposed into short glucan chains. The presence of single helical lotus seed amylose-fatty acid complexes and double helical retrograded amylose was investigated using Raman spectroscopy and imaging. The results from Raman spectra and in vitro digestion showed that the content of both single helical LSA-fatty acid complexes and double helical retrograded LSA were responsible for digestibility of the complex matrix.

Halide-Controlled Extending-Shrinking Motion of a Covalent Cage.

Herein, we present an example of covalent cages, whose flexible framework undergoes extending-shrinking motion under halide control. In the absence of halide anions, the free cage assumes a flattened conformation: the cavity is compressed along the C3 axis passing through the tertiary amines, and the two tribenzylamine platforms are eclipsed. Halide encapsulation promotes a large conformational rearrangement of the cage, involving an extension of the cavity along the C3 axis and shrinkage along the equatorial plane. Interestingly, the rearrangement is accompanied by the pyramidal inversion of the tertiary amines and by the rotation of the tribenzylamine-based platforms, which become staggered. The imidazolium-containing arms wrap around the spherical anion, leading to a racemic mixture of the M and P helical complexes. As expected from the flexible structure of the cage, the switch between the two limit conformations can be repeated for several cycles under alternating chemical stimuli (AgNO3/TBACl). This result is consistent with the low activation barriers determined by computational investigations. These also allowed us to quantify the energy difference between the shrunk and expanded cage conformations and to hypothesize an energetic pathway along which the conformational rearrangement can occur.

Can the Partial Peptide SIVSF of the β2-Adrenergic Receptor Recognize Chirality of the Epinephrine Neurotransmitter?

Chirality plays an essential role in biological molecular recognition, such as neurotransmission. Here, we applied electrospray-cold ion trap spectroscopy to complexes of a partial binding motif SIVSF of a β2-adrenergic receptor pocket with L- and D-epinephrine AdH+. The ultraviolet spectrum of the SIVSF-AdH+ complex changed drastically when L-AdH+ was replaced by its enantiomer. The isomer-selected infrared spectra revealed that D-AdH+ was bound to SIVSF by its protonated amino-group or a single catechol OH and induced nonhelical secondary structures of SIVSF. This is in sharp contrast to the helical SIVSF complex with L-AdH+, which is close to the natural binding structure with two catechol OHs binding in the receptor. This shows that a short pentapeptide SIVSF can distinguish the chirality of the ligand AdH+ as well as the receptor. This stereoselectivity is suggested to arise from an additional interaction involving the hydroxyl group on the chiral carbon.

A Design Strategy for Single-Stranded Helicates using Pyridine-Hydrazone Ligands and PbII.

The reactions of py-hz ligands (L1-L5) with Pb(CF3 SO3 )2 ⋅H2 O resulted in some rare examples of discrete single-stranded helical PbII complexes. L1 and L2 formed non-helical mononuclear complexes [PbL1(CF3 SO3 )2 ]⋅CHCl3 and PbL2(CF3 SO3 )2 ][PbL2CF3 SO3 ]CF3 SO3 ⋅CH3 CN, which reflected the high coordination number and effective saturation of PbII by the ligands. The reaction of L3 with PbII resulted in a dinuclear meso-helicate [Pb2 L3(CF3 SO3 )2 Br]CF3 SO3 ⋅CH3 CN with a stereochemically-active lone pair on PbII . L4 directed single-stranded helicates with PbII , including [Pb2 L4(CF3 SO3 )3 ]CF3 SO3 ⋅CH3 CN and [Pb2 L4CF3 SO3 (CH3 OH)2 ](CF3 SO3 )3 ⋅2 CH3 OH⋅2 H2 O. The acryloyl-modified py-hz ligand L5 formed helical and non-helical complexes with PbII , including a trinuclear PbII complex [Pb3 L5(CF3 SO3 )5 ]CF3 SO3 ⋅3CH3 CN⋅Et2 O. The high denticity of the long-stranded py-hz ligands L4 and L5 was essential to the formation of single-stranded helicates with PbII .

Synthesis of helical aluminium catalysts for cyclic carbonate formation.

Helical aluminium complexes [Al2X4(μ-nbptam)] (X = Me 1, Et 2), [Al2X4(μ-fbpam)] (R = Me 3, Et 4), [Al3X7(μ-nbptam)] (X = Me 5, Et 6) and [Al3X7(μ-fbpam)] (X = Me 7, Et 8) have been prepared by treatment of scorpionate ligand precursors with two or three equivalents of the corresponding trialkylaluminium derivative. The structures of these complexes have been determined by spectroscopic methods and the X-ray crystal structure of complex 1 has also been established. These complexes have been studied as catalysts for the chemical fixation of carbon dioxide into cyclic carbonates displaying good catalytic activity. When cyclohexene oxide was used as a substrate, polyether-polycarbonate was obtained in a ratio which is highly dependent on the cocatalyst and the catalyst to cocatalyst ratio used.

Irreversible topological transition of a stretched superhelix: the interplay of chiralities.

Helical complexes with certain intramolecular constraints on their topological state, exhibit nontrivial conformational changes in response to an external tension. We consider a generic right-handed helix and construct identical right and left-handed superhelixes. By using molecular dynamics simulations, we discover that under an external tension, the interplay between the helix chirality and the chirality of the superhelix leads to a fundamental topology transition of the stretched right-handed superhelix to its left-handed counterpart. We characterize and rationalize this irreversible phenomenon for a wide range of intramolecular angular stiffnesses and determine the associated phase diagram at different external loadings.

The role of scaffold reshaping and disassembly in dynamin driven membrane fission.

The large GTPase dynamin catalyzes membrane fission in eukaryotic cells, but despite three decades of experimental work, competing and partially conflicting models persist regarding some of its most basic actions. Here we investigate the mechanical and functional consequences of dynamin scaffold shape changes and disassembly with the help of a geometrically and elastically realistic simulation model of helical dynamin-membrane complexes. Beyond changes of radius and pitch, we emphasize the crucial role of a third functional motion: an effective rotation of the filament around its longitudinal axis, which reflects alternate tilting of dynamin's PH binding domains and creates a membrane torque. We also show that helix elongation impedes fission, hemifission is reached via a small transient pore, and coat disassembly assists fission. Our results have several testable structural consequences and help to reconcile mutual conflicting aspects between the two main present models of dynamin fission-the two-stage and the constrictase model.

Syntheses, structures and in vitro cytostatic activity of four novel homochiral organotin(IV) phosphonates

Four novel homochiral organotin phosphonates, namely, (R)-, (S)-[(Me3Sn)2(pemp)(H2O)]n (1, 2) and (R) -, (S)-[(Ph3Sn)2(pemp)2]n (3, 4) [pempH2 = (R)- or (S)-(1-phenylethylamino) methylphosphonic acid], were synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis, elemental analysis, FT-IR, NMR (1H, 13C, 31P and 119Sn), TGA (thermogravimetric analysis) and CD (circular dichroism spectra). The structure analysis indicates that complex 1 displays 1D left-handed helical chain and complex 2 shows right-handed helical chain. These 1D chains are further linked into a 2D supramolecular network architecture through the intermolecular O–H⋯O interactions. Complexes 3 and 4 are isostructural that showing 1D infinite zig-zag chain structure. In addition, the molecules of complexes 3 and 4 are further linked through intermolecular C–H···π interactions into a 2D supramolecular structure. Furthermore, we preliminarily estimated in vitro cytostatic activity of complexes 1–4 against the human cervix tumor cells (HeLa) and the human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG-2).

Cryo-EM structure of the Ebola virus nucleoprotein-RNA complex at 3.6Å resolution.

Ebola virus causes haemorrhagic fever with a high fatality rate in humans and non-human primates. It belongs to the family Filoviridae in the order Mononegavirales, which are viruses that contain linear, non-segmented, negative-sense, single-stranded genomic RNA1,2. The enveloped, filamentous virion contains the nucleocapsid, consisting of the helical nucleoprotein-RNA complex, VP24, VP30, VP35 and viral polymerase1,3. The nucleoprotein-RNA complex acts as a scaffold for nucleocapsid formation and as a template for RNA replication and transcription by condensing RNA into the virion4,5. RNA binding and nucleoprotein oligomerization are synergistic and do not readily occur independently6. Although recent cryo-electron tomography studies have revealed the overall architecture of the nucleocapsid core4,5, there has been no high-resolution reconstruction of the nucleocapsid. Here we report the structure of a recombinant Ebola virus nucleoprotein-RNA complex expressed in mammalian cells without chemical fixation, at near-atomic resolution using single-particle cryo-electron microscopy. Our structure reveals how the Ebola virus nucleocapsid core encapsidates its viral genome, its sequence-independent coordination with RNA by nucleoprotein, and the dynamic transition between the RNA-free and RNA-bound states. It provides direct structural evidence for the role of the N terminus of nucleoprotein in subunit oligomerization, and for the hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions thatlead to theformation of the helical assembly. The structure is validated as representative of the native biological assembly of the nucleocapsid core by consistent dimensions and symmetry with the full virion5. The atomic model provides a detailed mechanistic basis for understanding nucleocapsid assembly and highlights key structural features that may serve as targets for anti-viral drug development.

Dynamic Helicity Control of Oligo(salamo)-Based Metal Helicates

Much attention has recently focused on helical structures that can change their helicity in response to external stimuli. The requirements for the invertible helical structures are a dynamic feature and well-defined structures. In this context, helical metal complexes with a labile coordination sphere have a great advantage. There are several types of dynamic helicity controls, including the responsive helicity inversion. In this review article, dynamic helical structures based on oligo(salamo) metal complexes are described as one of the possible designs. The introduction of chiral carboxylate ions into Zn3La tetranuclear structures as an additive is effective to control the P/M ratio of the helix. The dynamic helicity inversion can be achieved by chemical modification, such as protonation/deprotonation or desilylation with fluoride ion. When (S)-2-hydroxypropyl groups are introduced into the oligo(salamo) ligand, the helicity of the resultant complexes is sensitively influenced by the metal ions. The replacement of the metal ions based on the affinity trend resulted in a sequential multistep helicity inversion. Chiral salen derivatives are also effective to bias the helicity; by incorporating the gauche/anti transformation of a 1,2-disubstituted ethylene unit, a fully predictable helicity inversion system was achieved, in which the helicity can be controlled by the molecular lengths of the diammonium guests.