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The hydration of carbon–carbon triple bonds is an important and atom economic synthetic transformation. Herein, we report a mild and selective method for the catalytic Markovnikov hydration of (E)-aryl enynes to the corresponding enones, mediated through the bench-stable aminium salt, tris(4-bromophenyl)ammoniumyl hexachloroantimonate (TBPA). The chemoselective and diastereoselective method proceeds under neutral metal-free conditions, delivering excellent product yields from terminal and internal alkyne units. The synthesis of biologically important (E)-3-styrylisocoumarins, including a formal synthesis of the natural product achlisocoumarin III, demonstrates the utility of this novel transformation.

We have discovered and studied a tele-substitution reaction in a biologically important heterocyclic ring system. Conditions that favor the tele-substitution pathway were identified: the use of increased equivalents of the nucleophile or decreased equivalents of base or the use of softer nucleophiles, less polar solvents, and larger halogens on the electrophile. Using results from X-ray crystallographic and isotope labeling experiments, a mechanism for this unusual transformation is proposed. We focused on this triazolopyrazine as it is the core structure of the in vivo active antiplasmodium compounds of Series 4 of the Open Source Malaria consortium.

Herein we report the synthesis of three heteroleptic first‐row transition metal(II) complexes containing carbazolido NNN pincer ligands and conversion to the corresponding metal(I)‐carbonyl complexes via a reductive carbonylation route. These complexes are precatalysts for the hydrophosphination of activated alkenes, affording a cobalt‐catalysed hydrophosphination process that solely and selectively yields the β addition (anti‐Markovnikov) product. The scope of this transformation has been investigated using a variety of activated alkenes. Isolation and characterisation of substrate‐coordinated intermediates reveal available coordination sites, which provide insight into the proposed catalytic cycle., This work was supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council [grant number EP/R004064/1]; The Leverhulme Trust [grant number RPG‐2014‐317]; CONACYT (Mexican Council for Science and Technology) [grant number CVU 600474] and the University of Nottingham.

A versatile method for the synthesis of enantioenriched N-H sulfoximines is reported. The approach stems from the organomagnesium-mediated ring opening of novel cyclic sulfonimidate templates. The reactions proceed in high yield and with excellent stereofidelity with alkyl, aryl, and heteroaryl Grignard reagents. The chiral auxiliary is readily removed from the resultant sulfoximines via an unusual oxidative debenzylation protocol that utilizes molecular oxygen as the terminal oxidant. This provides a general strategy for the synthesis of highly enantioenriched N-H sulfoximines.

The reaction between a two-coordinate Co(ii) diaryl complex and "GaI" affords 2,6-Pmp2C6H3CoGa3I5, in a new geometry for a heavier group 13-transition metal cluster. Experimental and computational investigations show that this compound is best described as a nido metalla-group 13 cluster.

A strategy to create organic molecules with high degrees of radical spin multiplicity is reported in which molecular design is correlated with the behaviour of radical anions in a series of BODIPY dyads. Upon reduction of each BODIPY moiety radical anions are formed which are shown to have different spin multiplicities by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and distinct profiles in their cyclic voltammograms and UV-visible spectra. The relationship between structure and multiplicity is demonstrated showing that the balance between singlet, biradical or triplet states in the dyads depends on relative orientation and connectivity of the BODIPY groups. The strategy is applied to the synthesis of a BODIPY triad which adopts an unusual quartet state upon reduction to its radical trianion.

The effect of chelate cooperativity on the binding of several ditopic anions to two tetrathiourea macrocycles has been analysed in competitive solvent mixtures (H2O : DMSO 1 : 9 v/v). The semi-flexible receptors bind dicarboxylates with high affinity dependent on the length and flexibility of the guest. Chemical double mutant cycle (DMC) analysis allowed the chelate cooperativity effects to be measured in detail and revealed both positive and negative cooperativity effects which were dependent on guest size, flexibility and spacer interactions between guest and macrocycle. 1H NMR and crystallographic studies confirmed the macrocycle hosts are adaptable, changing conformation to match their pore size to a selected guest.

The enantioselective nickel-catalyzed reaction of tethered allene–ketones with (hetero)arylboronic acids or potassium vinyltrifluoroborate is described. Carbonickelation of the allene gives allylnickel species, which undergo cyclization by 1,2-allylation to produce chiral tertiary-alcohol-containing aza- and carbocycles in high diastereo- and enantioselectivities., Chiral tertiary-alcohol-containing aza- and carbocycles are produced in high diastereo- and enantioselectivities by the nickel-catalyzed reaction of tethered allene–ketones with (hetero)arylboronic acids or potassium vinyltrifluoroborate.

Phenylthiosemicarbazones (PTSCs) are proton-coupled anion transporters with pH-switchable behaviour known to be regulated by an imine protonation equilibrium. Previously, chloride/nitrate exchange by PTSCs was found to be inactive at pH 7.2 due to locking of the thiourea anion binding site by an intramolecular hydrogen bond, and switched ON upon imine protonation at pH 4.5. The rate-determining process of the pH switch, however, was not examined. We here develop a new series of PTSCs and demonstrate their conformational behaviour by X-ray crystallographic analysis and pH-switchable anion transport properties by liposomal assays. We report the surprising finding that the protonated PTSCs are extremely selective for halides over oxyanions in membrane transport. Owing to the high chloride over nitrate selectivity, the pH-dependent chloride/nitrate exchange of PTSCs originates from the rate-limiting nitrate transport process being inhibited at neutral pH.

A series of fluorescent coumarin bis-ureas have been synthesised and their anion transport properties studied. The compounds function as highly potent HCl co-transport agents in lipid bilayer membranes.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most invasive type of glial tumor with poor overall survival, despite advances in surgical resection, chemotherapy, and radiation. One of the main challenges in treating GBM is related to the tumor’s location, complex and heterogeneous biology, and high invasiveness. To meet the demand for oxygen and nutrients, growing tumors induce new blood vessels growth. Antibodies directed against vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which promotes angiogenesis, have been developed to limit tumor growth. Bevacizumab (Avastin), an anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody, is the first approved angiogenesis inhibitor with therapeutic promise. However, it has limited efficacy, likely due to adaptive mutations in GBM, leading to overall survival compared to the standard of care in GBM patients. Molecular connections between angiogenesis, inflammation, oxidative stress pathways, and the development of gliomas have been recognized. Improvement in treatment outcomes for patients with GBM requires a multifaceted approach due to the converging dysregulation of signaling pathways. While most GBM clinical trials focus on “anti-angiogenic” modalities, stimulating inflammation resolution is a novel host-centric therapeutic avenue. The selective therapeutic possibilities for targeting the tumor microenvironment, specifically angiogenic and inflammatory pathways expand. So, a combination of agents aiming to interfere with several mechanisms might be beneficial to improve outcomes. Our approach might also be combined with other therapies to enhance sustained effectiveness. Here, we discuss Suramab (anti-angiogenic), LAU-0901 (a platelet-activating factor receptor antagonist), Elovanoid (ELV; a novel lipid mediator), and their combination as potential alternatives to contain GBM growth and invasiveness.

Magnetized Liner Inertial Fusion (MagLIF) is a magneto-inertial fusion concept that relies on fuel magnetization, laser preheat, and a magnetically driven implosion to produce fusion conditions. In MagLIF, the target is a roughly 10 mm long, 5 mm diameter, 0.5 mm thick, cylindrical beryllium shell containing ~1 mg/cm 3 D 2 gas. An axial magnetic field on the order of 10 T is applied to the target, and several kJ of laser energy is deposited into the fuel. Up to 20 MA of current is driven axially through the beryllium target, causing it to implode over approximately 100 ns. The implosion produces a ~100-μm diameter, ~8-mm tall fuel column with a burn-averaged ion temperature of several keV, that generates 10 11 -10 13 DD neutrons.

A two-coordinate Fe(II) m-terphenyl complex acts as a precatalyst for the hydroamination of isocyanates, affording urea and biuret derivatives, with product selectivity accomplished via modificatio...

A series of symmetrically bis-4-methoxybenzyl (4MB) N-substituted 1,4-diketopyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole (DPP) derivatives have been synthesized. The 4MB unit makes the DPP core soluble, and shows subtle modification of up to 0.2 eV in ground and excited states of the core when compared with related alkyl derivatives. Absorption and emission spectroscopy, as well as electrochemical and computational methods have been employed to prove the importance of the peripheral aryl units on the donor/ acceptor properties of the molecules. The 4MB products are highly fluorescent (quantum yields approaching 100 % in solution), with a unique distribution of frontier states shown by spectroelectrochemistry. The solid-state fluorescence correlates with the X-ray crystal structures of the compounds, a Stokes shift of approximately 80 nm is seen for two of the compounds. The frontier energy levels show that this subtle substitutional change could be of future use in molecular energy level tailoring in these, and related, materials for organic (opto)electronics.

A series of eight bis(thiosemicarbazone) ligands and 16 of their respective copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes containing a combination of hydrogen, methyl, pyridyl, phenyl, and/or ethyl substituents at the diimine position of the ligand backbone were synthesized and characterized. The objective of this study was to identify the structure-activity relationships within a series of analogues with different substituents at the diimine position of the backbone and at the terminal N atom. The Cu(II) complexes Cu(GTSM

Artificial receptors that recognise anionic species vianoncovalent interactions have a wide range of biomedical, industrial and environmental applications. A major challenge in this area of research is to achieve high affinity and selective anion binding in aqueous media. So far, only a few examples of receptors capable of strong (> 105M-1) anion binding in solutions containing > 50% water are available and none show selectivity for chloride. We report here the discovery of a D4h-symmetric fluorinated tetraurea macrocycle that fulfils this function owing to its unique self-assembly properties. The macrocycle has a strong tendency to self-associate into columnar aggregates viaintermolecular hydrogen bonds and aromatic stacking. In aqueous solutions, macrocycle aggregation generates hydrophobic and size-selective binding pockets favourable for hydrogen bonding with chloride. As a result, micromolar affinity and highly selective chloride binding has been achieved with this simple small molecule (MW < 700) in 60 vol% water/acetonitrile.

The synthesis of functionalized 1-tetralones by the rhodium(i)-catalyzed reaction of alkynyl malonates with arylboronic acids is described. These arylative cyclizations proceed via an alkenyl-to-aryl 1,4-Rh(i) migration as a key step. Preliminary results of an enantioselective variant of these reactions are also presented.

Functionalization of boron-dipyrrin (BODIPY) chromophores with pyridine (1) or pyrimidine (2) substituents affords molecules with strong absorbance in the visible spectrum which are also highly fluorescent in solution, in thin films and as powders. Reaction of either 1, a bipyridyl ligand, or 2, a bipyrimidinyl ligand, with CuI in MeCN affords a one-dimensional coordination polymer (3) or a three-dimensional coordination polymer (4), respectively. Although the free ligands, 1 and 2, exhibit fluorescence in the solid-state, metal coordination in the CuI coordination polymers, 3 and 4, leads to quenching despite the retention of the BODIPY core.

Respiring mitochondria establish a proton gradient across the mitochondrial inner membrane (MIM) that is used to generate ATP. Protein-independent mitochondrial uncouplers collapse the proton gradient and disrupt ATP production by shuttling protons back across the MIM in a protonophoric cycle. Continued cycling relies on the formation of MIM-permeable anionic species that can return to the intermembrane space after deprotonation in the mitochondrial matrix. Previously described protonophores contain acidic groups that are part of delocalised π-systems that provide large surfaces for charge delocalisation and facilitate anion permeation across the MIM. Here we present a new class of protonophoric uncoupler based on aryl-urea substituted fatty acids in which an acidic group and a π-system are separated by a long alkyl chain. The aryl-urea group in these molecules acts as a synthetic anion receptor that forms intermolecular hydrogen bonds with the fatty acid carboxylate after deprotonation. Dispersal of the negative charge across the aryl-urea system produces lipophilic dimeric complexes that can permeate the MIM and facilitate repeated cycling. Substitution of the aryl-urea group with lipophilic electron withdrawing groups is critical to complex lipophilicity and uncoupling activity. The aryl-urea substituted fatty acids represent the first biological example of mitochondrial uncoupling mediated by the interaction of a fatty acid and an anion receptor moiety, via self-assembly., A new mitochondrial uncoupler that forms membrane permeable dimers through interactions of remote acidic and anion receptor groups.

Diazophosphonates, readily prepared from α-ketophosphonates by oxidation of the corresponding hydrazones in batch or in flow, are useful partners in 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions to alkynes to give N-H pyrazoles, including the first intramolecular examples of such a process. The phosphoryl group imbues a number of desirable properties into the diazo 1,3-dipole. The electron-withdrawing nature of the phosphoryl stabilizes the diazo compound making it easier to handle, whilst the ability of the phosphoryl group to migrate readily in a [1,5]-sigmatropic rearrangement enables its transfer from C to N to aromatize the initial cycloadduct, and hence its facile removal from the final pyrazole product. Overall, the diazophosphonate acts as a surrogate for the much less stable diazoalkane in cycloadditions, with the phosphoryl group playing a vital, but traceless, role. The cycloaddition proceeds more readily with alkynes bearing electron-withdrawing groups, and is regiospecific with asymmetrical alkynes. The potential of diazophosphonates for use in bioorthogonal cycloadditions is demonstrated by their facile addition to strained alkynes.

Diaminomethylenemalononitriles (DMMs) and diaminomethyleneindanediones (DMIs) are dual H-bond donors that have previously been used as organocatalysts, but their anion binding ability has not been investigated. We report the synthesis of both alkyl- and aryl-substituted DMMs and DMIs, together with a comparison of their anion binding ability with that of the analogous thioureas. The DMMs display affinity for monovalent anions, with similar anion binding affinities observed to that of the thioureas in acetonitrile, albeit with differing trends for the N,N'-dialkyl versus N,N'-diaryl compounds. In contrast, the DMIs do not bind to monovalent anions under similar conditions as a result of conformational locking through the formation of intramolecular H-bonds. This can be overcome upon addition of sulfate ions, and binding of sulfate is enhanced in a more competitive solvent (DMSO).

The solid state supramolecular interactions of diketopyrrolopyrrole derivatives (DPPs) and their correlation with thin film optical properties are of particular interest because of the applications of these materials in organic electronics. In this study, we report the single crystal X-ray structures of several phenyl DPP derivatives, containing 4-methoxyphenyl, 4-hydroxyphenyl and 4-((tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)oxy)phenyl aryl units, and show how subtle changes in the substituent chains at side or end positions of the chromophore can lead to very different packing. They are compared to their phenyl counterpart to explore how the nature of both the alkyl chain and the aryl unit influence the optical properties that have been measured in solid and solution states. Importantly, for the three families of N-substituted compounds studied, the structures are changed by the conformation of the molecules and are apparently dominated by crystal packing effects where edge-to-face interactions are favoured rather than π stacking, with only one of the compounds showing a flat form, promoted by intermolecular contacts between the aromatic regions. It is therefore possible that the twist between DPP and phenyl units in crystals of DPPs results from edge-to-face interactions (rather than steric interactions between the N-substituent and the protons attached to the aromatic ring) that might be overcome in more extended structures. Hydrogen bonding dominates the packing to generate chains of DPP units for phenol derivatives. Remote bulky groups do affect the core conformation. The emission of the materials as thin films is dominated by local effects in the packing of the materials that are unique for each case as the structures are distinct from one another. Charge mobility (as calculated from the crystal structures) is not favoured because of twisted conformations and large displacement, but the sometimes high emission and large Stokes shift could make the materials interesting for other purposes, such as light emitters.

The effect of para-substitution upon the structural and electronic properties of a series of m-terphenyl lithium complexes [R–Ar#–Li]2 (R = t-Bu 1, SiMe32, H 3, Cl 4, CF35; where R–Ar# = 2,6-{2,6-Xyl}2-4-R-C6H2 and 2,6-Xyl = 2,6-Me2C6H3) has been investigated. X-ray crystallography reveals the complexes to be structurally similar, with little variation in C–M–C bond lengths and angles across the series. However, in-depth NMR spectroscopic studies reveal notable electronic differences, showing a linear correlation between the 7Li{1H} NMR chemical shifts of the para-substituted complexes and their Hammett constants. The flanking methyl protons exhibit a similar electronic shift in the 1H NMR spectra, which has been rationalised by the presence of through-space Li⋯H interactions, as evidenced by two-dimensional 7Li–1H heteronuclear Overhauser spectroscopy (HOESY). In both cases, electron-withdrawing substituents are found to cause an upfield peak shift. A computational analysis is employed to account for these trends., We acknowledge the EPSRC [grant number EP/R004064/1], the Leverhulme Trust [grant number RPG-2014-317], and the University of Nottingham for financial support of this research. We also thank the University of Nottingham Analytical Services Team for elemental analyses, mass spectrometry, and NMR spectroscopy measurements. We are also grateful for access to the University of Nottingham's Augusta High Performance Computing service. AMT is grateful for support from the European Research Council under H2020/ERC Consolidator Grant “topDFT” (Grant No. 772259).

Water-soluble complexes are desirable for the aqueous detoxification of cyanide. Molybdenum complexes with α-amino acid and disulfide ligands with the formula K[(L)Mo2O2(μ-S)2(S2)] (L = leu (1), met (2), thr (3), and ser (4)) were synthesized in a reaction of [(DMF)3MoO(μ-S)2(S2)] with deprotonated α-amino acids; leu, met, thr, and ser are the carboxylate anions of l-leucine, l-methionine, l-threonine, and l-serine, respectively. Potassium salts of α-amino acids (leu (1a), met (2a), thr (3a), and ser (4a)) were prepared as precursors for complexes 1-4, respectively, by employing a nonaqueous synthesis route. The ligand exchange reaction of [Mo2O2(μ-S)2(DMF)6](I)2 with deprotonated α-amino acids afforded bis-α-amino acid complexes, [(L)2Mo2O2(μ-S)2] (6-8). A tris-α-amino acid complex, [(leu)2Mo2O2(μ-S)2(μ-leu + H)] (5; leu + H is the carboxylate anion of l-leucine with the amine protonated), formed in the reaction with leucine. 5 crystallized from methanol with a third weakly bonded leucine as a bridging bidentate carboxylate. An adduct of 8 with SCN- coordinated, 9, crystallized and was structurally characterized. Complexes 1-4 are air stable and highly water-soluble chiral molecules. Cytotoxicity studies in the A549 cell line gave IC50 values that range from 80 to 400 μM. Cyclic voltammetry traces of 1-8 show solvent-dependent irreversible electrochemical behavior. Complexes 1-4 demonstrated the ability to catalyze the reaction of thiosulfate and cyanide in vitro to exhaustively transform cyanide to thiocyanate in less than 1 h.

Reversible structural transformations of porous coordination frameworks in response to external stimuli such as light, electrical potential, guest inclusion or pressure, amongst others, have been the subject of intense interest for applications in sensing, switching and molecular separations. Here we report a coordination framework based on an electroactive tetrathiafulvalene exhibiting a reversible single crystal-to-single crystal double [2 + 2] photocyclisation, leading to profound differences in the electrochemical, optical and mechanical properties of the material upon light irradiation. Electrochemical and in situ spectroelectrochemical measurements, in combination with in situ light-irradiated Raman spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy, revealed the variable mechanical properties of the framework that were supported using Density Functional Theory calculations. The reversible structural transformation points towards a plethora of potential applications for coordination frameworks in photo-mechanical and photoelectrochemical devices, such as light-driven actuators and photo-valves for targeted drug delivery., Porous coordination frameworks that undergo reversible structural transformations are promising for sensing, switching and separations. Here, the authors report an electroactive framework that exhibits a reversible single crystal-to-single crystal double [2+2] photocyclisation, leading to property changes.

Anion transporters have shown potential application as anti-cancer agents that function by disrupting homeostasis and triggering cell death. In this research article we report switchable anion transport by gold complexes of anion transporters that are ‘switched on’ in the presence of the reducing agent GSH by decomplexation of gold. GSH is found in higher concentrations in tumours than in healthy tissue and hence offers a strategy to target these systems to tumours.

The combination of [Cu(MeCN)4]TFA·TFAH (TFA = O2CCF3) with Feringa’s phosphoramidite ligand (LA) provides an exceptionally active (0.75 mol %) catalyst for asymmetric conjugate additions of ZnR2 (R = Et and Me at −40 to −80 °C) to enones. Kinetic and other studies of the addition of ZnEt2 to cyclohex-2-en-1-one indicate a transition state stoichiometry composition of (ZnEt2)3(enone)4Cu2(LA)3 that is generated by transmetalation from Et2Zn(enone)2. Catalyst genesis is significantly slower than turnover (which has limited previous attempts to attain useful kinetic data); in the initial stages, varying populations of catalytically inactive, off-cycle, species are present. These issues are overcome by a double-dose kinetic analysis protocol. A rest state of [LACu(Et)(μ-TFA)(μ-{(enone)(ZnEt)2(enolate)})CuLA2]+ (through the equivalence of enolate = enone + ZnEt2) is supported by DFT studies (ωB97X-D/SRSC). Rate-determining ZnEt2(enone)2 transmetalation drives the exceptionally high catalytic activity of this system.

A magnesium complex (1) featuring a bidentate aminopyridinato ligand is a remarkably selective catalyst for the dehydrocoupling of amine‐boranes. This reaction proceeds to completion with low catalyst loadings (1 mol %) under mild conditions (60 °C), exceeding previously reported s‐block systems in terms of selectivity, rate, and turnover number (TON). Mechanistic studies by in situ NMR analysis reveals the reaction to be first order in both catalyst and substrate. A reaction mechanism is proposed to account for these findings, with the high TON of the catalyst attributed to the bidentate nature of the ligand, which allows for reversible deprotonation of the substrate and regeneration of 1 as a stable resting state.

Four new mononuclear complexes, [MnIV(L1)2] (1), [CoII(HL1)2] (2), [NiII(HL1)2] (3), and [NiII(HL2)2] (4), with ligands H2L1 (2-hydroxyethylimino)methylnaphthol) and H2L2 (3-hydroxy propylimino)methylnaphthol) have been synthesized, characterized, and their catecholase activities have been studied. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction study shows that 1 crystallizes in P43212 space group and adopts an octahedral geometry in meridional fashion, whereas 4 with a square planar geometry crystallizes in P21/n space group. The catecholase activity has been investigated in acetonitrile by UV-Vis spectrophotometric technique. The kinetic study revealed that 1 has a moderate catecholase activity (kcat = 812 h−1), whereas 2–4 are inactive. Electronic structure of 1 and 4 has been established by theoretical calculation. Structures of both complexes have been optimized by DFT. Experimental electronic spectra of the complexes have been corroborated by TD-DFT analysis.

Synthetic anion transporters that facilitate chloride transport are promising candidates for channelopathy treatments. However, most anion transporters exhibit an undesired side effect of facilitating proton transport via interacting with fatty acids present in the membrane. To address the limitation, we here report the use of a new tetrapodal scaffold to maximize the selective interaction with spherical chloride over binding the carboxylate headgroup of fatty acids. One of the new transporters demonstrated a high selectivity for chloride uniport over fatty acid-induced proton transport while being &gt, 10 times more active in chloride uniport than strapped calixpyrroles that were previously the only class of compounds known to possess similar selectivity properties.

Designing porous materials which can selectively adsorb CO2 or CH4 is an important environmental and industrial goal which requires an understanding of the host–guest interactions involved at the atomic scale. Metal–organic polyhedra (MOPs) showing permanent porosity upon desolvation are rarely observed. We report a family of MOPs (Cu-1a, Cu-1b, Cu-2), which derive their permanent porosity from cavities between packed cages rather than from within the polyhedra. Thus, for Cu-1a, the void fraction outside the cages totals 56% with only 2% within. The relative stabilities of these MOP structures are rationalized by considering their weak nondirectional packing interactions using Hirshfeld surface analyses. The exceptional stability of Cu-1a enables a detailed structural investigation into the adsorption of CO2 and CH4 using in situ X-ray and neutron diffraction, coupled with DFT calculations. The primary binding sites for adsorbed CO2 and CH4 in Cu-1a are found to be the open metal sites and pockets defined by the faces of phenyl rings. More importantly, the structural analysis of a hydrated sample of Cu-1a reveals a strong hydrogen bond between the adsorbed CO2 molecule and the Cu(II)-bound water molecule, shedding light on previous empirical and theoretical observations that partial hydration of metal−organic framework (MOF) materials containing open metal sites increases their uptake of CO2. The results of the crystallographic study on MOP–gas binding have been rationalized using DFT calculations, yielding individual binding energies for the various pore environments of Cu-1a., We report a family of metal−organic polyhedra (MOP), which derive their permanent porosity from cavities between packed cages rather than from within the polyhedra. The relative stabilities of these MOP structures are rationalized by considering their weak nondirectional packing interactions using Hirshfeld surface analysis. A detailed structural investigation into the adsorption of CO2 and CH4 is reported using in situ X-ray and neutron diffraction, coupled with DFT calculations.

Functionalization of 4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (BODIPY) chromophores at the 2,6-positions with iodo substituents and morpholino-substituted &alpha, methyl groups affords molecules with strong absorbance in the visible spectrum. The effect of such substitution on the solid-state arrangements, absorption, fluorescence and electronic properties of these dye molecules is reported. The spectroscopic and spectroelectrochemical measurements display intense absorptions in the UV-visible spectrum with bathochromic shifts, in comparison to unfunctionalized BODIPY, and a positive shift in redox potentials due to functionalisation of the BODIPY core. Halogen bonds are observed in the solid-state structures of both halogenated BODIPY species, which in one case leads to the formation of an unusual halogen bonded framework.

Inspired by the reported antiviral activity of pyrimidines and triazolopyrimidines, two series of 2-anilinopyrimidines (5a-e) and 1-aryl-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyrimidines (14a-k) were designed and synthesized as potential antiviral agents. X-ray crystallographic study of compounds (14d) and (14k) confirmed the structure of the desired isomer and revealed the coplanarity of the fused [1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyrimidine rings with the aryl side group. DFT studies revealed insights into the mechanism of the micro-reversible cyclisation step using DFT [B3LYP-D3(BJ)/6-31++G(d,p)]. The pharmacokinetic properties and calculation of drug likeness scores (DLS) of (5a-e) and (14a-k) suggested good traditional drug-like properties and led to the synthesis of derivatives (14a-k) which were evaluated for their anti-viral activity with the most potent derivatives subjected to cytotoxicity screening. Compounds (14a), (14c), (14e), (14f) and (14k) showed moderate to strong antiviral activity with EC50 values 38 - 186 μM. Compound (14e) (DLS = 0.29) showed the best anti-CHIKV activity (EC50 = 38 μM) and lowest cytotoxicity (CC50 > 300 μg/ml) against against breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and MD-AMB-231 and normal cell line EA.hy926. Simplification of [1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyrimidine ring, led to series (5a-e) (DLS = 0.03 - 0.77). Derivatives (5a-d) showed fair anti-CHIKV activity (EC50 > 200 μM), while (5e) emerged as the most active antiviral agent, however the most cytotoxic.

The absorption and fluorescence properties of N-alkylated 3,6-di (pyridin-4-yl)-2,5-dihydropyrrolo [3,4-c]pyrrole-1,4-dione (PyrDPP NH) derivatives in solution and the solid state are reported, along with the modulation of these properties under varying acidity or basicity. The compounds with hexyl (PyrDPP N-Hex) and methoxy ethoxy ethyl (PyrDPP N-MEE) chains were synthesised from PyrDPP NH giving highly soluble dyes. In addition, the mono-substituted derivatives were also isolated. A range of solvents was explored to provide understanding regarding their potential use in applications ranging from organic electronics to sensors. Optically the dyes are highly fluorescent and, as a result of N-alkylation breaking the hydrogen bond network, emissive in the solid state with large Stokes shifts. The nature of the chain dictates the π interactions and packing of the materials, resulting in modulation of the solid-state absorption spectra and theoretical mobility predicted from the crystal structures. The methoxy ethoxy ethyl chain twists out of the plane and bends to allow considerable molecular overlap and small interchromophore displacement with strikingly similar π interactions to the parent PyrDPP NH, resulting in a contribution of H-type aggregation to the absorption band and an order of magnitude improvement in theoretical mobility compared with the hexyl analogue. In contrast, PyrDPP N-Hex possesses a distorted CH-π interaction between pyridyl and lactam units, with greater molecular displacement manifesting in dominant J -aggregation contribution to absorption band and moderate mobility. The results emphasise the potential for sidechain modification and show structural evidence for the potential benefits of the flexible polar chains. The nitrogen lone pair of the pyridyl ring can be protonated in acidic environment to produce a photometric response suggesting potential as a proton sensor. The mono-substituted compounds are responsive to both base and acid, making them interesting for molecular logic applications.

Perylene diimides (PDIs) are promising candidates for n-type semiconductor materials and, thus, for use in organic electronics. Thionation of the imide moiety provides an efficient strategy to control the donor–acceptor gap of these types of compounds, although the degree and selectivity of thionation can be hard to achieve. Through the design of a sterically encumbered PDI–phenothiazine dyad, a previously unattained geminal thionation pattern has been realized, providing the first example of a perylene-monoimide-monothioimide. The electrochemical and solid-state structural properties of this uniquely thionated dyad are reported and compared to those of the nonthionated parent molecule. It is found that thionation enhances the electron affinity of the PDI core, affecting electrochemical and spectroelectochemcial behavior of the dyad without significantly affecting the solid-state packing of the molecules.

The biological significance of sp3-rich synthetic scaffolds with natural product-like features yet distinct global frameworks is being increasingly recognised in medicinal chemistry and biochemistry. Taking inspiration from the vast array of bioactive, bridged alkaloids, we report the synthesis of unique, densely functionalised tricyclic scaffolds based on nitrogen-bridged, octahydrobenzofurans and octahydroindoles. These heterocycle-rich frameworks were assembled by a one-pot, two-step bridge-forming reductive amination process, which was shown to proceed via caged, heteroadamantane intermediates that thermodynamically drive an exo–endo epimerisation, enabling intramolecular azaMichael addition over the concave face of the fused bicyclic precursors. In addition to evaluating the scope of this aza bridge-forming reaction, further stereochemical complexity was introduced by subsequent diastereoselective ketone reductions and other manipulations. Finally, strategic diversity points (amino, carboxy) were decorated with common medicinal chemistry fragments, providing a set of exemplar derivatives with Lipinski compliant physicochemical properties.

An intriguing hypothesis that latrunculin A, a well-known natural product, might have undergone transformation into the unprecedented thiopyrone CTP-431 upon long-term storage in methanol is advanced. Thus opening of the hemiacetal of latrunculin A, followed by E1CB elimination, and dehydration would give a polyene that could undergo intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction, followed by methanolysis of the thiazolidinone ring and ring closure by intramolecular thiol addition to an enone. Experimental evidence that the novel thiazolidinone to thiopyrone rearrangement can occur is presented.The marine sponge Cacospongia mycofijiensis, found in the ocean surrounding Fiji, is a source of several polyketide natural products with interesting biological properties,1 including the tubulin binding macrolide fijianolide B (also known as laulimalide),2,3 the HIF1 signal inhibitor mycothiazole,4,5 and the macrolide latrunculins (Figure 1).6 The thiazolidinone-containing latruculins are of mixed polyketide synthesis (PKS) and non-ribosomal peptide synthesis (NRPS) origin, and latrunculin A 1 disrupts microfilament assembly to such an extent that it is the most widely used chemical tool to study actin binding.

A series of highly substituted tetrahydrofurans (THFs), decorated with modifiable 2-aryl, 3-carboxy and 4-amino substituents, has been prepared for biological evaluation within the European Lead Factory. Diastereoselective reductive amination of pre-functionalised 4-oxofurans, readily prepared from cinnamate esters via oxa-Michael/Dieckmann annulation, provided the requisite THF cores on gram scale with three contiguous stereocentres, including full substitution at C-3. In a second series, a pyrrolidine ring was fused to the same oxofuran scaffold via an intramolecular reductive amination, inverting the configuration at C-4 relative to the other ring substituents. The resulting compounds, which displayed desirable physical properties as lead-like scaffolds, were derivatised into a small library of 24 compounds, demonstrating their ability to serve as starting points for drug discovery. Ultimately, this chemistry enabled the preparation of 1948 THF-containing compounds for inclusion in the Joint European Compound Library.

Background Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an important regulator of mitochondrial bioenergetics, but its role in regulating mitochondrial biogenesis is not well understood. Using both genetic and pharmacological approaches, we sought to determine if H2S levels directly influenced cardiac mitochondrial content. Results Mice deficient in the H2S-producing enzyme, cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE KO) displayed diminished cardiac mitochondrial content when compared to wild-type hearts. In contrast, mice overexpressing CSE (CSE Tg) and mice supplemented with the orally active H2S-releasing prodrug, SG-1002, displayed enhanced cardiac mitochondrial content. Additional analysis revealed that cardiac H2S levels influenced the nuclear localization and transcriptional activity of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1α (PGC1α) with higher levels having a positive influence and lower levels having a negative influence. Studies aimed at evaluating the underlying mechanisms found that H2S required AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) to induce PGC1α signaling and mitochondrial biogenesis. Finally, we found that restoring H2S levels with SG-1002 in the setting of heart failure increased cardiac mitochondrial content, improved mitochondrial respiration, improved ATP production efficiency, and improved cardiac function. Conclusions Together, these results suggest that hydrogen sulfide is an important regulator of cardiac mitochondrial content and establishes that exogenous hydrogen sulfide can induce mitochondrial biogenesis via an AMPK-PGC1α signaling cascade.

The development of synthetic analogs of the active sites of [NiFe] hydrogenases remains challenging, and, in spite of the number of complexes featuring a [NiFe] center, those featuring CO and CN- ligands at the Fe center are under-represented. We report herein the synthesis of three bimetallic [NiFe] complexes [Ni(N2S2)Fe(CO)2(CN)2], [Ni(S4)Fe(CO)2(CN)2], and [Ni(N2S3)Fe(CO)2(CN)2] that each contain a Ni center that bridges through two thiolato S donors to a {Fe(CO)2(CN)2} unit. X-ray crystallographic studies on [Ni(N2S3)Fe(CO)2(CN)2], supported by DFT calculations, are consistent with a solid-state structure containing distinct molecules in the singlet (S = 0) and triplet (S = 1) states. Each cluster exhibits irreversible reduction processes between -1.45 and -1.67 V vs Fc+/Fc and [Ni(N2S3)Fe(CO)2(CN)2] possesses a reversible oxidation process at 0.17 V vs Fc+/Fc. Spectroelectrochemical infrared (IR) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies, supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations, are consistent with a NiIIIFeII formulation for [Ni(N2S3)Fe(CO)2(CN)2]+. The singly occupied molecular orbital (SOMO) in [Ni(N2S3)Fe(CO)2(CN)2]+ is based on Ni 3dz2 and 3p S with the S contributions deriving principally from the apical S-donor. The nature of the SOMO corresponds to that proposed for the Ni-C state of the [NiFe] hydrogenases for which a NiIIIFeII formulation has also been proposed. A comparison of the experimental structures, and the electrochemical and spectroscopic properties of [Ni(N2S3)Fe(CO)2(CN)2] and its [Ni(N2S3)] precursor, together with calculations on the oxidized [Ni(N2S3)Fe(CO)2(CN)2]+ and [Ni(N2S3)]+ forms suggests that the binding of the {Fe(CO)(CN)2} unit to the {Ni(CysS)4} center at the active site of the [NiFe] hydrogenases suppresses thiolate-based oxidative chemistry involving the bridging thiolate S donors. This is in addition to the role of the Fe center in modulating the redox potential and geometry and supporting a bridging hydride species between the Ni and Fe centers in the Ni-C state.

The structural characterization of single crystals of di-4-pyridyl-substituted 3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic diimide reveals a surprising triple helical arrangement. The intermolecular interactions that lead to such an arrangement are investigated by Hirshfeld surface analysis and indicate that the supramolecular structure arises due to a combination of C–H···O interactions and π–π stacking interactions between adjacent perylene diimide (PDI) species. The interplay of these interactions leads to the formation of a tubular structure enclosed by the triple helix of PDI molecules. In contrast, the analogous phenyl-substituted molecule forms a simple one-dimensional stack of PDI molecules which is also unusual in that the perylene core adopts an essentially planar arrangement despite bay substitution.

Group 1 salts containing carbazolido NNN pincer ligands are precatalysts for the dehydrogenation of Me2NH·BH3. NMR monitoring and DOSY studies show a heavy dependence on the metal and solvent, allowing in some cases selective formation of dehydrogenation products consistent with hydrogen liberation.

Two- and three-coordinate manganese m-terphenyl complexes are precatalysts for the dehydrogenation of dimethylamine-borane (Me2NH·BH3) affording one equivalent of molecular hydrogen and half an equivalent of [Me2N–BH2]2. Experimental studies into the nature of the catalyst indicate that small changes in the coordination environment give rise to significant differences in the reaction mechanism, occurring through a homogeneous mechanism for two-coordinate precatalysts, whilst for the three-coordinate species a heterogeneous mechanism takes place where nanoparticles are responsible for the catalysis.