Macrocyclic Structure Research Articles

Generation of Extremely Long-lived Localized Singlet Diradicals: New Insights into Bond-homolysis Process and Discovery of Novel Bonding System (C-π-C)

Localized singlet diradicals are key intermediates in bond-homolyses. Thorough studies of the reactive species are essential to clarify the mechanisms of the homolytic bond-cleavage and -formation processes. In general, the singlet diradicals are quite short-lived due to the fast radical-radical coupling reactions. The short-lived characteristic has retarded the thorough study on bond-homolyses. In the last two decades, the author and his research group have enjoyed conducting fundamental studies of generating spectroscopically detectable singlet diradicals to clarify the chemistry of localized singlet diradicals. Recently, a new series of long-lived singlet diradicals, viz. 1,2-diazacyclopentane-3,5-diyl and singlet diradical having macrocyclic structures, have been identified, and their electronic structures and novel reactivities were thoroughly studied using laser-flash photolysis (LFP), product analysis, emission analyses, and computational studies. During the research study, two new concepts in chemistry have emerged; (1) π-single bonding (C-π-C) and (2) the third isomer in bond-homolysis processes, i.e. puckered singlet diradicals. This article describes first a short history of localized diradicals, then, the nitrogen-atom effect on the reactivity of singlet diradicals, the chemistry of π-single bonded species, the stereoselectivity in the photochemical denitrogenation reactions, and the adiabatic bond-homolysis process in the electronically excited states.

Physicochemical and Pharmacokinetic Profiles of Gadopiclenol: A New Macrocyclic Gadolinium Chelate With High T1 Relaxivity.

ObjectivesWe aimed to evaluate gadopiclenol, a newly developed extracellular nonspecific macrocyclic gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) having high relaxivity properties, which was designed to increase lesion detection and characterization by magnetic resonance imaging.MethodsWe described the molecular structure of gadopiclenol and measured the r1 and r2 relaxivity properties at fields of 0.47 and 1.41 T in water and human serum. Nuclear magnetic relaxation dispersion profile measurements were performed from 0.24 mT to 7 T. Protonation and complexation constants were determined using pH-metric measurements, and we investigated the acid-assisted dissociation of gadopiclenol, gadodiamide, gadobutrol, and gadoterate at 37°C and pH 1.2. Applying the relaxometry technique (37°C, 0.47 T), we investigated the risk of dechelation of gadopiclenol, gadoterate, and gadodiamide in the presence of ZnCl2 (2.5 mM) and a phosphate buffer (335 mM). Pharmacokinetics studies of radiolabeled 153Gd-gadopiclenol were performed in Beagle dogs, and protein binding was measured in rats, dogs, and humans plasma and red blood cells.ResultsGadopiclenol [gadolinium chelate of 2,2′,2″-(3,6,9-triaza-1(2,6)-pyridinacyclodecaphane-3,6,9-triyl)tris(5-((2,3-dihydroxypropyl)amino)-5-oxopentanoic acid); registry number 933983-75-6] is based on a pyclen macrocyclic structure. Gadopiclenol exhibited a very high relaxivity in water (r1 = 12.2 mM−1·s−1 at 1.41 T), and the r1 value in human serum at 37°C did not markedly change with increasing field (r1 = 12.8 mM−1·s−1 at 1.41 T and 11.6 mM−1·s−1 at 3 T). The relaxivity data in human serum did not indicate protein binding. The nuclear magnetic relaxation dispersion profile of gadopiclenol exhibited a high and stable relaxivity in a strong magnetic field. Gadopiclenol showed high kinetic inertness under acidic conditions, with a dissociation half-life of 20 ± 3 days compared with 4 ± 0.5 days for gadoterate, 18 hours for gadobutrol, and less than 5 seconds for gadodiamide and gadopentetate. The pharmacokinetic profile in dogs was typical of extracellular nonspecific GBCAs, showing distribution in the extracellular compartment and no metabolism. No protein binding was found in rats, dogs, and humans.ConclusionsGadopiclenol is a new extracellular and macrocyclic Gd chelate that exhibited high relaxivity, no protein binding, and high kinetic inertness. Its pharmacokinetic profile in dogs was similar to that of other extracellular nonspecific GBCAs.

Synthesis of a new 24-membered tetramide macrocycle and X-ray crystal structure determination

The synthesis and characterization of a new 24-membered tetramide macrocycle (6) related to Leigh's macrocycles and catenanes is reported. The replacement of p-xylylenediamine (Leigh) by m-xylylenediamine (this work) strongly modifies the geometry and properties of the new macrocycle. NMR spectroscopy (in DMSO‑d6 solution) and X-ray crystallography have been used to characterize compound 6. The structural features in the crystal (conformational aspects and H-bonding) have been discussed comparatively to two similar macrocycles NEWHIJ and UJUNOC.

Conjugated Macrocycles in Organic Electronics

This Account describes a body of research on the design, synthesis, and application of a new class of electronic materials made from conjugated macrocycles. Our macrocyclic design takes into consideration the useful attributes of fullerenes and what properties make fullerenes efficient n-type materials. We identified four electronic and structural elements: (1) a three-dimensional shape; (2) a conjugated and delocalized π-space; (3) the presence of an interior and exterior to the π-surface; and (4) low-energy unoccupied molecular orbitals allowing them to accept electrons. The macrocyclic design incorporates some of these properties, including a three-dimensional shape, an interior/exterior to the π-surface, and low-lying LUMOs maintaining the n-type semiconducting behavior, yet we also install synthetic flexibility in our approach in order to tune the properties further. Each of the macrocycles comprises perylenediimide cores wound together with linkers. The perylenediimide building block endows each macrocycle with the ability to accept electrons, while the synthetic flexibility to install different linkers allows us to create macrocycles with different electronic properties and sizes. We have created three macrocycles that all absorb well into the visible range of the solar spectrum and possess different shapes and sizes. We then use these materials in an array of applications that take advantage of their ability to function as n-type semiconductors, absorb in the visible range of the solar spectrum, and possess intramolecular cavities. This Account will discuss our progress in incorporating these new macrocycles in organic solar cells, organic photodetectors, organic field effect transistors, and sensors. The macrocycles outperform acyclic controls in organic solar cells. We find the more rigid macrocyclic structure results in less intrinsic charges and lower dark current in organic photodetectors. Our macrocyclic-based photodetector has the highest detectivity of non-fullerene acceptors. The macrocycles also function as sensors and are able to recognize nuanced differences in analytes. Perylenediimide-based fused oligomers are efficient materials in both organic solar cells and field effect transistors. We will use the oligomers to construct macrocycles for use in solar energy conversion. In addition, we will incorporate different electron-rich linkers in our cycles in an attempt to engineer the HOMO/LUMO gap further. Looking further into the future, we envision opportunities in applying these conjugated macrocycles as electronic host/guest materials, as concatenated electronic materials by threading the macrocycles with electroactive oligomers, and as a locus for catalysis that is driven by light and electric fields.

Synthesis of a calix[4]arene derivative exposing multiple units of fucose and preliminary investigation as a potential broad-spectrum antibiofilm agent

Calix[4]arene derivative (1), bearing four α-l-C-fucosyl units linked via a flexible spacer, and a monomeric analogous (2) bearing a single moiety of fucose, were synthesized. Compounds 1 and 2 were assayed for antibiofilm activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Gram–) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (Gram+). The macrocyclic compound 1 showed very high percentage of biofilm inhibition against two different bacterial strains while compound 2, which does not possess a macrocyclic structure, showed only moderate biofilm inhibition against P. aeruginosa and no biofilm inhibition against S. epidermidis. The fucose multivalent derivative could be a new broad-spectrum antibiofilm agent.

Physiological and Biomechanical Evaluation of a Training Macrocycle in Children Swimmers.

Physiological responses related to 400-m front crawl performance were examined in a 11-week training macrocycle in children 11.6 ± 1.2 years old. Fourteen girls and twenty-nine boys completed a maximum intensity 400-m test, at the beginning (Τ1) and at the end of four weeks of general preparation (Τ2), four weeks of specific preparation (Τ3), and three weeks of the competitive period (Τ4). Blood lactate (La), blood glucose (Glu) and heart rate were measured post effort. Stroke rate (SR), stroke length (SL) and stroke index (SI) were measured during the test. The 400-m time was decreased at T2, T3, and T4 compared to T1 by 4.2 ± 4.9, 7.5 ± 7.0, and 8.6 ± 7.3% (p < 0.05) and at T3 and T4 compared to T2 by 3.1 ± 4.3 and 4.2 ± 4.6%, respectively (p < 0.05). La was not different between tests (p > 0.05) and Glu was decreased at T3 compared to other testing moments (p < 0.05). SR, SL, and SI were higher at T3 and T4 compared to T1 (p < 0.05). SL and SI were also increased at T4 compared to T2 (p < 0.05). Performance changes from T1 to T2 were related to SL and SI changes (r = 0.45 and 0.83, p < 0.05), and subsequent changes between T2 to T3 were related to SR, SI, La, and Glu changes (r = 0.48, 0.68, 0.34, and 0.42, p < 0.05). Performance change from T3 to T4 was related to SL, SI, and La modifications (r = 0.34, 0.70, and 0.53, p < 0.05). Performance gains may be related to various biomechanical or physiological changes according to training macrocycle structure.

New Organic Electrode Materials for Ultrafast Electrochemical Energy Storage.

Organic materials are both environmentally and economically attractive as potential electrode candidates. This Research News reports on a new class of stable and electrically conductive organic electrodes based on metal porphyrins with functional groups that are capable of electrochemical polymerization, rendering the materials promising for electrochemical applications. Their structural flexibility and the unique highly conjugated macrocyclic structure allows the produced organic electrodes to act as both cathode and anode materials giving access to fast charging as well as high cycling stability. The extreme thermal and chemical stability of the porphyrin-based organic electrodes and their chemical versatility suggest an important role for these molecular systems in the further development of novel electrochemical energy storage applications.

Isolation and structure of an 18-membered macrocycle containing two diselenide linkages and its precursor.

The structures of the 18-membered diselenide-linked macrocycle 10,27-di-tert-butyl 11,28-dioxo-2,3,19,20-tetraselena-10,12,27,29-tetraazapentacyclo[28.4.0.04,9.013,18.021,26]tetratriaconta-1(30),4(9),5,7,13,15,17,21,23,25,31,33-dodecaene-10,27-dicarboxylate, C36H34N4O6Se4, and its precursor di-tert-butyl 2,2'-[diselane-1,2-diylbis(2,1-phenylene)]dicarbamate, C22H28N2O4Se2, are reported. The precusor to the macrocycle contains two tert-butyl phenylcarbamate arms connected to a diselenide group, with Se-C and Se-Se bond lengths of 1.914 (4) and 2.3408 (6) Å, respectively. The macrocycle resides on a crystallographic center of inversion in space group P-1 with one molecule in the unit cell (Z' = 1/2). It contains an 18-membered macrocyclic ring with two diselenide linkages. In this macrocycle, there are two free and two protected amino groups.

Novel advances in the synthesis of bisphosphonates, containing heterocyclic and macrocyclic structure

Herein we describe our recent advances in the synthesis of new bisphosphonates, containing adenosines, adenine moiety as well as reactive aminoacetal fragment and calix[4]resorcinols framework. For the synthesis of these compounds we used three main approaches: Michael addition of nucleophilic amines (adenosines, adenines and aminoacetaldehyde) to (tetraethyl)ethenylidene-1,1-bisphosphonate and tetrakis(trimethylsilyl)ethenylidene-1,1-bisphosphonate); acid catalyzed condensation of bisphosphonic acid derivatives, containing acetal group with polyphenols; formation of onium salts of bisphosphonic acids with adenosine and aminomethylated calix[4]resorcinols.

Entropy/Enthalpy Compensation in Anion Binding: Biotin[6]uril and Biotin-l-sulfoxide[6]uril Reveal Strong Solvent Dependency

Binding of anions using macrocyclic structures with a nonpolar interior using the CH···anion interaction as the recognition motif has gained popularity in the past few years, and such receptors often rely on a subtle interplay between enthalpic and entropic factors. For these types of receptors solvation of both the anion and the binding pocket of the macrocyclic host play important roles in the overall energetic picture of the binding event. Systematic chemical modifications of synthetic receptors that are able to bind anions in a variety of solvents is an important tool to gain understanding of the factors that determine the supramolecular chemistry of anions. Here we present the chiral macrocyclic structure biotin-l-sulfoxide[6]uril as a host molecule that binds anions in both water and in organic solvents. Biotin-l-sulfoxide[6]uril is prepared in a highly diastereoselective one-pot synthesis from the macrocycle biotin[6]uril. We compare the binding properties with that of biotin[6]uril, also studied in acetonitrile and in aqueous buffer at neutral pH. The biotin-l-sulfoxide[6]uril generally exhibits stronger recognition of anions in acetonitrile, but weaker binding in water as compared to the biotin[6]uril macrocycle. We have studied the binding events using a combination of NMR spectroscopy, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), and computational methods.

Metal-Helix Frameworks from Short Hybrid Peptide Foldamers.

The potential of structured peptides has not been explored much in the design of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). This is partly due to the difficulties in obtaining stable secondary structures from the short α-peptide sequences. Here we report the design, crystal conformations, coordination site dependent different silver coordinated frameworks of short α,γ-hybrid peptide 12-helices consisting of terminal pyridyl moieties and the utility of metal-helix frameworks in the adsorption of CO2 . Upon silver ion coordination the 12-helix terminated by the 3-pyridyl derivatives adopted a 2:2 macrocyclic structure, while the 12-helix terminated by the 4-pyridyl derivatives displayed remarkable porous metal-helix frameworks. Both head-to-tail intermolecular H-bonds of the 12-helix and metal ion coordination have played an important role in stabilizing the ordered metal-helix frameworks. The studies described here open the door to design a new class of metal-organic-frameworks from peptide foldamers.

Metal‐Helix Frameworks from Short Hybrid Peptide Foldamers

AbstractThe potential of structured peptides has not been explored much in the design of metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs). This is partly due to the difficulties in obtaining stable secondary structures from the short α‐peptide sequences. Here we report the design, crystal conformations, coordination site dependent different silver coordinated frameworks of short α,γ‐hybrid peptide 12‐helices consisting of terminal pyridyl moieties and the utility of metal‐helix frameworks in the adsorption of CO2. Upon silver ion coordination the 12‐helix terminated by the 3‐pyridyl derivatives adopted a 2:2 macrocyclic structure, while the 12‐helix terminated by the 4‐pyridyl derivatives displayed remarkable porous metal‐helix frameworks. Both head‐to‐tail intermolecular H‐bonds of the 12‐helix and metal ion coordination have played an important role in stabilizing the ordered metal‐helix frameworks. The studies described here open the door to design a new class of metal‐organic‐frameworks from peptide foldamers.

Topological and Steric Constraints to Stabilize Heteroleptic Copper(I) Complexes Combining Phenanthroline Ligands and Phosphines.

Heteroleptic copper(I) complexes combining phenanthroline derivatives (NN) and chelating bisphosphine ligands (PP) are an important class of luminescent materials for various applications. Although thermodynamically stable, [Cu(NN)(PP)]+ derivatives are also kinetically unstable. As a result, a dynamic ligand-exchange reaction is often observed in solution, leading to a dynamic mixture of heteroleptic and homoleptic complexes. To prevent the formation of the homoleptic species, macrocyclic phenanthroline ligands have been used for the preparation of [Cu(NN)(PP)]+ pseudorotaxanes. The topological constraint resulting from the macrocyclic structure of the NN ligand drives the thermodynamic equilibrium towards the exclusive formation of the heteroleptic complex as long as the macrocycle is large and flexible enough to allow for the threading of the PP ligand. Conversely, when the threading is prevented by steric constraints, unprecedented copper(I) complexes with a trigonal coordination geometry are obtained. These results are summarized in the present concept article.

Synthesis, structural characterization and cytotoxic activity of triorganotin 5‐(salicylideneamino)salicylates

Six new triorganotin complexes (1a–1c and 2a–2c) of 5‐(salicylideneamino)salicylic acid, [5‐(3‐X‐2‐HOC6H3CH═N)‐2‐HOC6H3COO]SnR3 (X = H, 1; CH3O, 2; R = Ph, a; Cy, b; CH2C(CH3)2Ph, c), have been synthesized by one‐pot reaction of 5‐aminosalicylic acid, salicylaldehyde and triorganotin hydroxide and characterized using elemental analysis and infrared and NMR (1H, 13C and 119Sn) spectra. The crystal structures of 1a, 1b, 2a·CH3OH, 2b·CH3OH and 2c·CHCl3 have been determined using single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. In non‐coordinated solvent CDCl3, the tin atoms in the complexes are all four‐coordinated. In the crystalline state, these compounds adopt a four‐ or five‐coordination mode. Complex 1a exhibits a 44‐membered macrocyclic tetrameric structure with trigonal bipyramidal geometry around the tin atoms in which the axial positions are occupied by the oxygen atom of carboxylate group of the ligand and the phenolic oxygen atom from the adjacent ligand. The coordination geometry of tin atom in 1b and 2c·CHCl3 is a distorted tetrahedron shaped by three carbon atoms of alkyl groups and a carboxylate oxygen atom of the ligand. In 2a·CH3OH and 2b·CH3OH, the tin atom has a distorted trans‐C3SnO2 trigonal bipyramidal geometry formed by three alkyl groups, a monodentate carboxylate group and a coordinated methanol molecule. The molecules of 2a·CH3OH and 2b·CH3OH are linked via O─H···O hydrogen bonds into a one‐dimensional supramolecular chain and a centrosymmetric R44(22) macrocycle, respectively. Bioassay results against two human tumor cell types (A549 and HeLa) show the complexes are efficient cytostatic agents and may be explored as potential antitumor drugs.

Synthesis and Photochromic Properties of Azobenzene‐Derived Glycomacrolactones

Reversible photocontrol of glycosides and glycoconjugates structures is a very attractive approach to modulate, in a spatiotemporal way, the various properties and biological activities of carbohydrates. We have synthesized three new azobenzene‐derived glycomacrolactones from thioglycopyranosides. The synthesized cyclic glycoazobenzenes can be reversibly photoisomerized between E and Z isomers with high fatigue resistance. A 1H NMR spectroscopic study shows that E → Z isomerization of glycomacrocycles induces large conformational change of the macrocyclic structures, without changing sugar 4C1 chair conformation. The Z‐glycoazobenzenes can be thermally converted back to the E‐isomers. Interestingly, these 16 to 17‐membered Z‐glycomacrolactones display higher thermal stability than the reported macrocyclic azobenzenes, the half‐life varying from 37 to 72 days. The excellent photoswitching property and bistability of the synthesized glycoazobenzenes open a new opportunity for the convergent synthesis of diastereomers of glycomacrocycles. Furthermore, chiroptical properties have been observed for both E and Z glycomacrolactones. The geometry of different isomers of macrocycles has been optimized with DFT calculations. Theoretical CD spectra obtained by TD‐DFT suggest that the E and Z glycomacrocycles adopt preferentially (P) helical structure for the azobenzene moiety.

Synthetic and structural investigations of bis(N-alkyl-benzoselenadiazolium) cations.

The synthesis, and spectroscopic and structural characterization of bridged dicationic derivatives of benzo-2,1,3-selenadiazoles are reported. The chloride salt of [H4C6NSeN-CH2-CH2-NSeNC6H4]2+ crystallizes forming a macrocyclic structure in which two cations are bridged by SeCl chalcogen bonds (ChBs), with a third chloride at the centre of the macrocycle. The structure of [1,2-(H4C6NSeN)2-C6H10]Cl2 consists of two selenadiazolium cations linked by a chiral cyclohexane and capped by SeCl ChBs. Tetrafluoroborate salts of a xylene bridge crystallize in two pseudopolymorphs in which the cations form SeF ChBs in an anti- or syn-conformation. The triflate salt of ethylene-bridged cations dimerizes through the formation of the [Se-N]2 supramolecular synthon with SeO ChBs capping the second selenium atom. In contrast, [H4C6NSeN-CH2-CH2-CH2-NSeNC6H4](CF3SO3)2 only forms SeO ChBs.

Fluorinated Bambusurils as Highly Effective and Selective Transmembrane Cl−/HCO3− Antiporters

Summary The exchange of chloride and bicarbonate across lipid bilayers is an important biological process. Synthetic molecules can act as mobile carriers for these anions, although most show little selectivity. Here we report on three bambus[6]uril macrocycles functionalized with fluorinated benzyl groups, which are able to exchange Cl− and HCO3− efficiently. Remarkably, rates for Cl−/NO3− exchange are two orders of magnitude lower. The higher rates of Cl−/HCO3− transport can be explained by the ability of the bambusurils to complex Cl− and HCO3− simultaneously, facilitating their exchange at the bilayer interface. Furthermore, the exceptionally high affinity and selectivity of these systems for NO3− appear to contribute to the poor Cl−/NO3− exchange. This work not only demonstrates the importance of anion binding characteristics on anion transport but also the potential relevance of bambusurils for anion transport applications considering the high rate observed for Cl−/HCO3− exchange.

Structural Features and Binding Modes of Thioether-Cyclized Peptide Ligands.

Macrocyclic peptides are an emerging class of bioactive compounds for therapeutic use. In part, this is because they are capable of high potency and excellent target affinity and selectivity. Over the last decade, several biochemical techniques have been developed for the identification of bioactive macrocyclic peptides, allowing for the rapid isolation of high affinity ligands to a target of interest. A common feature of these techniques is a general reliance on thioether formation to effect macrocyclization. Increasingly, the compounds identified using these approaches have been subjected to x-ray crystallographic analysis bound to their respective targets, providing detailed structural information about their conformation and mechanism of target binding. The present review provides an overview of the target bound thioether-closed macrocyclic peptide structures that have been obtained to date.

Isolated Fe Single Atomic Sites Anchored on Highly Steady Hollow Graphene Nanospheres as an Efficient Electrocatalyst for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction.

The rational design of economical and high‐performance nanocatalysts to substitute Pt for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is extremely desirable for the advancement of sustainable energy‐conversion devices. Isolated single atom (ISA) catalysts have sparked tremendous interests in electrocatalysis due to their maximized atom utilization efficiency. Nevertheless, the fabrication of ISA catalysts remains a grand challenge. Here, a template‐assisted approach is demonstrated to synthesize isolated Fe single atomic sites anchoring on graphene hollow nanospheres (denoted as Fe ISAs/GHSs) by using Fe phthalocyanine (FePc) as Fe precursor. The rigid planar macrocycle structure of FePc molecules and the steric‐hindrance effect of graphene nanospheres are responsible for the dispersion of Fe–Nx species at an atomic level. The combination of atomically dispersed Fe active sites and highly steady hollow substrate affords the Fe ISAs/GHSs outstanding ORR performance with enhanced activity, long‐term stability, and better tolerance to methanol, SO2, and NOx in alkaline medium, outperforming the state‐of‐the‐art commercial Pt/C catalyst. This work highlights the great promises of cost‐effective Fe‐based ISA catalysts in electrocatalysis and provides a versatile strategy for the synthesis of other single metal atom catalysts with superior performance for diverse applications.

Preparation of a soluble polysilsesquioxane containing a macrocyclic structure and capture of palladium ions

In this study, a soluble polysilsesquioxane containing a macrocyclic structure (PSQ-MC) was successfully prepared by the hydrolytic condensation of a dual site-type silane coupling agent, i.e., bis{3-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propylthio]propyl}phthalate (BTPP), using hydrochloric acid as the catalyst in an acetone/ethyl acetate mixed solvent. Based on the results of 29Si NMR and gel permeation chromatography and the fact that the dimer of the cyclized BTPP was present in the intermediate after the reaction of BTPP in a dilute solution at room temperature, PSQ-MC was assumed to be a polymer in which an 8-membered cyclic siloxane with two 23-membered rings was linked by a single siloxane bond. In addition, PSQ-MC was able to capture palladium ions. A soluble polysilsesquioxane containing macrocyclic structure (PSQ-MC) is successfully prepared by the hydrolytic condensation of a dual site-type silane coupling agent, i.e., bis{3-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propylthio]propyl}phthalate (BTPP). PSQ-MC is assumed to be a polymer in which an 8-membered cyclic siloxane having two 23-membered rings is linked by a single siloxane bond. In addition, PSQ-MC could capture palladium ions.