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The photochemistry of isomeric 2-furyliden- and benzylidenoxindoles (2H-indol-2-ones) is examined. In solution E-Z isomerization is the only process via the excited singlet state (which fluoresces in glassy solution at 77 K and not at room temperature). In the crystalline state, the two (Z) derivatives are photostable, in accordance with the prediction based on the structural determination of the furylidene derivative, which adopts the unreactive Schmidt's gamma type arrangement. The (E) furylidene derivative (1a) gives efficiently (Phi = 0.3) the head-to-tail dimer, as indicated by the crystal structure, which is of the reactive alpha type, in full accord with the topochemical principles. In contrast, the corresponding benzylidene (1b) derivative reacts sluggishly (Phi < 0. 01) and mainly gives polymers, despite the fact that crystal structure determination shows that it likewise pertains to the alpha type and complies with the topochemical rules. The difference in reactivity is explained on the basis of (i) the twist of the phenyl ring with respect to the indole plane, and (ii) the higher overall cohesion energy and the lower interaction energy between facing molecules, as found from the charge density analysis for the crystals of 1b in comparison to those of 1a. This evidences a further stringent requirement for the occurrence of topochemical photodimerizations.

Paclitaxel (Taxol) and related compounds are important antitumor drugs, currently used for the treatment of several types of cancer. The flexible amino acidic C13 side chain is a key element of the taxoid pharmacophore, and the identification of the bioactive conformation is a top priority for a better understanding of the mode of action of these anticancer agents. The conformational features of the side chain have been investigated by Hartree-Fock ab initio and semiempirical PM3 calculations. To gain a better understanding of solvent effects, different molecular models of paclitaxel were used in the calculations. The gas-phase calculations confirm that only one conformation, named ch1 (very similar to the one found in the crystal structure of docetaxel), is present in apolar environments. The preference for this conformer has been rationalized in terms of its L shape, which minimizes steric and Coulombic interactions, and of a favorable arrangement of the glycolate moiety. When a polar solvent was simulated by different methods, a greater conformational variability was found, with different conformations differing by less than 1.5 kcal/mol. Among these conformations, only one (ch5', similar to molecule B of the crystal structure of paclitaxel) is particularly apt to interact with solvent molecules. In light of these data, it seems reasonable to assume that, when the drug is bound to the lipophilic pocket of the tubuline receptor, the C13 amino acidic side chain assumes a conformation close to ch1.

The diacetone glucose (DAGH, 1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-alpha-D-glucofuranose) monoanion DAG binds as a terminal alkoxo ligand to a variety of transition metals. When it is used in excess, with respect to the oxidation state of the metal, homoleptic anionic complexes [M'(DAG)(6)](3)(-) are formed. Such complexes contain oxygen-rich cavities between pairs of DAG ligands appropriate for binding alkali metal cations. The anionic complexes have been obtained by using [Li(DAG)], 1, and [Na(DAG)], 2, whose syntheses and characterization are reported here. The reaction of 1 and 2 with [V(DAG)(3)] gave [V(DAG)(6)Li(3)], 3, and [V(DAG)(6)Na(3)], 4, respectively. An alternative synthesis of 3 and 4 involves the metathesis reaction of 1 and 2 with [VCl(3)(thf)(3)]. This strategy also led to the synthesis of [Cr(DAG)(6)Li(3)], 5, and [Ti(DAG)(6)Li(3)], 6. Three pairs of DAG shape a cavity appropriate for three lithium cations in the case of complexes 3, 5, and 6; a cavity is formed for three sodium cations in the case of 4, where the alkali cation is in a tetrahedral O(4) environment. In the anionic manganese derivative [Mn(Cl)(DAG)(4)](3)(-), the four DAG units arrange in such a way as to bind four Li cations, which form a cationic cage [Mn(Cl)(DAG)(4)Li(4)](+), and Cl(-) is bound inside as [Mn(Cl)(DAG)(4)Li(4)(&mgr;(4)-Cl)], 7. Crystallographic details: 4, prism, P2(1), a = 14.735(10) Å, b = 15.033(9) Å, c= 21.021(10) Å, beta = 107.34(2) degrees, V= 4445(5) Å(3), Z = 2, and R = 7.60; 5, prismatic, C2, a = 22.671(9) Å, b = 18.785(5) Å, c = 13.886(4) Å, beta = 126.39(2) degrees, V= 4761(3) Å(3), Z = 2, and R = 7.32; 6, prismatic, P2(1), a= 13.888(5) Å, b = 18.750(5) Å, c= 17.933(5) Å, beta = 91.84(2) degrees, V = 4667(2) Å(3), Z = 2, and R = 8.75; 7, prismatic, P2(1), a = 13.306(7) Å, b= 21.311(11) Å, c = 13.376(6) Å, beta = 95.01(2) degrees, V = 3779(3) Å(3), Z = 2, and R = 9.33.

Isolation, purification, amino acid sequence determination and X-ray crystal structure of buffalo alpha-lactalbumin were performed in order to gain further knowledge of the molecular basis of alpha-lactalbumin in the lactose synthase complex. The deduced amino acid sequence differs at one position from the bovine alpha-lactalbumin sequence (at position 17). The refined crystal structure at 2.3 A is very similar to those previously reported for human and baboon alpha-lactalbumins. However, a portion of the molecule (residues 105-109) exhibits different conformation. It forms a 'flexible loop', and appears to be a functionally important region in forming the lactose synthase complex.