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Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the cause of the world's most deadly infectious disease. Efforts are underway to target the methionine biosynthesis pathway, as it is not part of the host metabolism. The homoserine transacetylase MetX converts L-homoserine to O-acetyl-L-homoserine at the committed step of this pathway. In order to facilitate structure-based drug design, we determined the high-resolution crystal structures of three MetX proteins, including M. tuberculosis (MtMetX), Mycolicibacterium abscessus (MaMetX), and Mycolicibacterium hassiacum (MhMetX). A comparison of homoserine transacetylases from other bacterial and fungal species reveals a high degree of structural conservation amongst the enzymes. Utilizing homologous structures with bound cofactors, we analyzed the potential ligandability of MetX. The deep active-site tunnel surrounding the catalytic serine yielded many consensus clusters during mapping, suggesting that MtMetX is highly druggable.

Conventional treatments to combat the tuberculosis (TB) epidemic are falling short, thus encouraging the search for novel antitubercular drugs acting on unexplored molecular targets. Several whole-cell phenotypic screenings have delivered bioactive compounds with potent antitubercular activity. However, their cellular target and mechanism of action remain largely unknown. Further evaluation of these compounds may include their screening in search for known antitubercular drug targets hits. Here, a collection of nearly 1400 mycobactericidal compounds was screened against Mycobacterium tuberculosis NaMN adenylyltransferase ( MtNadD), a key enzyme in the biogenesis of NAD cofactor that was recently validated as a new drug target for dormant and active tuberculosis. We found three chemotypes that efficiently inhibit MtNadD in the low micromolar range in vitro. SAR and cheminformatics studies of commercially available analogues point to a series of benzimidazolium derivatives, here named N2, with bactericidal activity on different mycobacteria, including M. abscessus, multidrug-resistant M. tuberculosis, and dormant M. smegmatis. The on-target activity was supported by the increased resistance of an M. smegmatis strain overexpressing the target and by a rapid decline in NAD(H) levels. A cocrystal structure of MtNadD with N2-8 inhibitor reveals that the binding of the inhibitor induced the formation of a new quaternary structure, a dimer-of-dimers where two copies of the inhibitor occupy symmetrical positions in the dimer interface, thus paving the way for the development of a new generation of selective MtNadD bioactive inhibitors. All these results strongly suggest that pharmacological inhibition of MtNadD is an effective strategy to combat dormant and resistant Mtb strains.

Type VII secretion systems (ESX) are responsible for transport of multiple proteins in mycobacteria. How different ESX systems achieve specific secretion of cognate substrates remains elusive. In the ESX systems, the cytoplasmic chaperone EspG forms complexes with heterodimeric PE-PPE substrates that are secreted from the cells or remain associated with the cell surface. Here we report the crystal structure of the EspG 1 chaperone from the ESX-1 system determined using a fusion strategy with T4 lysozyme. EspG 1 adopts a quasi 2-fold symmetric structure that consists of a central β-sheet and two α-helical bundles. In addition, we describe the structures of EspG 3 chaperones from four different crystal forms. Alternate conformations of the putative PE-PPE binding site are revealed by comparison of the available EspG 3 structures. Analysis of EspG 1 , EspG 3 , and EspG 5 chaperones using small-angle X-ray scattering reveals that EspG 1 and EspG 3 chaperones form dimers in solution, which we observed in several of our crystal forms. Finally, we propose a model of the ESX-3 specific EspG 3 -PE5-PPE4 complex based on the small-angle X-ray scattering analysis., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Neisseria gonorrhoeae causes the sexually transmitted infection gonorrhea, which is highly prevalent worldwide and has a major impact on reproductive and neonatal health. The superbug status of N. gonorrhoeae necessitates the development of drugs with different mechanisms of action. Here, we focused on targeting the nitrite reductase AniA, which is a pivotal component of N. gonorrhoeae anaerobic respiration and biofilm formation. Our studies showed that gonococci expressing AniA containing the altered catalytic residues D137A and H280A failed to grow under anaerobic conditions, demonstrating that the nitrite reductase function is essential. To facilitate the pharmacological targeting of AniA, new crystal structures of AniA were refined to 1.90-Å and 2.35-Å resolutions, and a phage display approach with libraries expressing randomized linear dodecameric peptides or heptameric peptides flanked by a pair of cysteine residues was utilized. Biopanning experiments led to the identification of 29 unique peptides, with 1 of them, C7-3, being identified multiple times. Evaluation of their ability to interact with AniA using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and computational docking studies revealed that C7-3 was the most promising inhibitor, binding near the type 2 copper site of the enzyme, which is responsible for interaction with nitrite. Subsequent enzymatic assays and biolayer interferometry with a synthetic C7-3 and its derivatives, C7-3m1 and C7-3m2, demonstrated potent inhibition of AniA. Finally, the MIC 50 value of C7-3 and C7-3m2 against anaerobically grown N. gonorrhoeae was 0.6 mM. We present the first peptide inhibitors of AniA, an enzyme that should be further exploited for antigonococcal drug development., (Copyright © 2017 American Society for Microbiology.)

Objective: Evaluate a large employer's wellness intervention by studying outcomes across the value chain, and testing Health Engagement's (HE) dose-response relationship to outcomes., Methods: Evaluation included 37 measures across eight outcomes domains (OD) using repeated measures, analysis of variance and logistic regression., Results: Participants with higher HE had better pre-post percent changes than control: 1.7% higher for Motivation (OD1), 3.4% for Behavior (OD2), 1.0% for Emotion (OD3), 5.8% for Biometrics (OD4), 6.3% for Compliance (OD5), and 5.2% for Claims (OD6). They also had 0.5% less Productivity loss (OD7), and odds of Turnover (OD8) one-quarter to one-half that of control. A dose-response relationship with degrees of HE was also shown., Conclusions: Three outcomes domains (OD6 to OD8) can be monetized for cost-benefit analysis. Authors recommend, however, staying focused on driving HE and using metrics from all OD to assess value.

The important human pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes (group A Streptococcus [GAS]) produces a hyaluronic acid (HA) capsule that plays critical roles in immune evasion. Previous studies showed that the hasABC operon encoding the capsule biosynthesis enzymes is under the control of a single promoter, P1, which is negatively regulated by the two-component regulatory system CovR/S. In this work, we characterize the sequence upstream of P1 and identify a novel regulatory region controlling transcription of the capsule biosynthesis operon in the M1 serotype strain MGAS2221. This region consists of a promoter, P2, which initiates transcription of a novel small RNA, HasS, an intrinsic transcriptional terminator that inefficiently terminates HasS, permitting read-through transcription of hasABC, and a putative promoter which lies upstream of P2. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays, quantitative reverse transcription-PCR, and transcriptional reporter data identified CovR as a negative regulator of P2. We found that the P1 and P2 promoters are completely repressed by CovR, and capsule expression is regulated by the putative promoter upstream of P2. Deletion of hasS or of the terminator eliminates CovR-binding sequences, relieving repression and increasing read-through, hasA transcription, and capsule production. Sequence analysis of 44 GAS genomes revealed a high level of polymorphism in the HasS sequence region. Most of the HasS variations were located in the terminator sequences, suggesting that this region is under strong selective pressure. We discovered that the terminator deletion mutant is highly resistant to neutrophil-mediated killing and is significantly more virulent in a mouse model of GAS invasive disease than the wild-type strain. Together, these results are consistent with the naturally occurring mutations in this region modulating GAS virulence., (Copyright © 2014, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.)

Mycosin protease-1 (MycP1) cleaves ESX secretion-associated protein B (EspB) that is a virulence factor of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and accommodates an octapeptide, AVKAASLG, as a short peptide substrate. Because peptidoboronic acids are known inhibitors of serine proteases, the synthesis and binding of a boronic acid analog of the pentapeptide cleavage product, AVKAA, was studied using MycP1 variants from Mycobacterium thermoresistible (MycP1mth), Mycobacterium smegmatis (MycP1msm) and M. tuberculosis (MycP1mtu). We synthesized the boropentapeptide, HAlaValLysAlaAlaB(OH)2 (1) and the analogous pinanediol PD-protected HAlaValLysAlaAlaBO2(PD) (2) using an Fmoc/Boc peptide strategy. The pinanediol boropentapeptide 2 displayed IC50 values 121.6±25.3 μM for MycP1mth, 93.2±37.3 μM for MycP1msm and 37.9±5.2 μM for MycP1mtu. Such relatively strong binding creates a chance for crystalizing the complex with 2 and finding the structure of the unknown MycP1 catalytic site that would potentially facilitate the development of new anti-tuberculosis drugs., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

A neutral air- and moisture-stable N,N'-chelating radical ligand, 1-phenyl-3-(pyrid-2-yl)benzo[e][1,2,4]triazinyl (1) was synthesized and characterized by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, and magnetic measurements. Subsequent reaction of 1 with Cu(hfac)2·2H2O (hfac = hexafluoroacetylacetonate) under ambient conditions afforded the coordination complex Cu(1)(hfac)2 in which the radical binds to the metal in a bidentate fashion. Magnetic susceptibility data collected from 1.8 to 300 K indicate a strong ferromagnetic metal-radical interaction in the complex and weak antiferromagnetic radical···radical interactions between the Cu(1)(hfac)2 units. Detailed computational investigations support this assignment. Radical 1 is a new addition to the growing library of 1,2,4-triazinyl radicals and the first member of this family of paramagnetic species synthesized specifically for coordination purposes.

A series of five isostructural bisthiaselenazolyl radicals 2 have been prepared and characterized by X-ray crystallography. The crystal structures, all belonging to the tetragonal space group P42(1)m, consist of slipped pi-stack arrays of undimerized radicals packed about 4 centers running along the z-direction, an arrangement which gives rise to a complex lattice-wide network of close intermolecular Se---Se' contacts. Variations in R1 (Et, Pr, CH2CF3) with R2 = Cl lead to significant changes in the degree of slippage of the pi-stacks and hence the proximity of the Se---Se' interactions. By contrast, variations in R2 (Cl, Br, Me) with R1 = Et induce very little change in either the degree of slippage or the intermolecular contacts. Variable-temperature conductivity (sigma) measurements show relatively constant values for the conductivity sigma(300 K) (10(-5)-10(-4) S cm(-1)) and thermal activation energy E(act) (0.27-0.31 eV). Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate that radicals 2b and 2c (R1 = Pr, CH2CF3; R2 = Cl) behave as weakly antiferromagnetically coupled Curie-Weiss paramagnets, but in 2a, 2d and 2e (R1 = Et; R2 = Cl, Me, Br) ferromagnetic ordering is observed, with T(c) values of 12.8 (R2 = Cl), 13.6 (R2 = Me), and 14.1 K (R2 = Br). The origin of the dramatically different magnetic behavior across the series has been explored in terms of a direct through-space mechanism by means of DFT calculations on individual pairwise exchange energies. These indicate that antiferromagnetic exchange between radicals along the pi-stacks increases with pi-stack slippage.

The N-methyl benzotellurodiazolylium cation self-associates in the solid state via short (2.471(3) A) 4-center TeN' intermolecular contacts; electrochemical data and the results of DFT calculations suggest that the dimers persist in solution.

The presence of two disulfide groups in the tetrathiophenalenyl radical TTPLY leads to a highly delocalized spin distribution and the lowest cell potential ever observed for a monofunctional phenalenyl derivative. While the heteroatom substituents successfully block C-C bond formation, TTPLY nonetheless associates in the solid state to afford the hypervalent S-S-bonded dimer (TTPLY)2.

Synthetic methods have been developed to generate the complete series of resonance-stabilized heterocyclic thia/selenazyl radicals 1a-4a. X-ray crystallographic studies confirm that all four radicals are isostructural, belonging to the tetragonal space group P42(1)m. The crystal structures consist of slipped pi-stack arrays of undimerized radicals packed about 4 centers running along the z direction, an arrangement which gives rise to a complex lattice-wide network of close intermolecular E2---E2' contacts. Variable temperature conductivity (sigma) measurements reveal an increase in conductivity with increasing selenium content, particularly so when selenium occupies the E2 position, with sigma(300 K) reaching a maximum (for E1 = E2 = Se) of 3.0 x 10(-4) S cm(-1). Thermal activation energies E(act) follow a similar profile, decreasing with increasing selenium content along the series 1a (0.43 eV), 3a (0.31 eV), 2a (0.27 eV), 4a (0.19 eV). Variable temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate that all four radicals exhibit S = 1/2 Curie-Weiss behavior over the temperature range 20-300 K. At lower temperatures, the three selenium-based radicals display magnetic ordering. Radical 3a, with selenium positioned at the E1 site, undergoes a phase transition at 14 K to a weakly spin-canted (phi = 0.010 degrees) antiferromagnetic state. By contrast, radicals 2a and 4a, which both possess selenium in the E2 position, order ferromagnetically, with Curie temperatures of T(c) = 12.8 and 17.0 K, respectively. The coercive fields H(c) at 2 K of 2a (250 Oe) and 4a (1370 Oe) are much larger than those seen in conventional light atom organic ferromagnets. The transport properties of the entire series 1a-4a are discussed in the light of Extended Hückel Theory band structure calculations.

We report the preparation, crystallization, and solid-state characterization of the first member of a new family of tris(1,9-disubstituted phenalenyl)silicon neutral radicals. In the solid state, the radical packs as weak partial pi-dimers with intermolecular carbon...carbon contacts that fall at the van der Waals atomic separation. Magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate approximately 0.7 Curie spins per molecule from room temperature down to 50 K, below which antiferromagnetic coupling becomes apparent; the compound has a room-temperature single-crystal conductivity of sigmaRT = 2.4 x 10(-6) S cm(-1).

Preparation and full characterization of the main-group diradical *NSNSC-CNSSN*, 8, the MF6- salt (As, Sb) of radical cation +NSNSC-CNSSN*, 8*+, and the AsF6- salt of the dication +NSNSC-CNSSN+, 82+, are presented. 8, a=6.717 (4), b=11.701(2), c=8.269(3) A, alpha=gamma=90, beta=106.69(3) degrees, monoclinic, space group P21/n, Z=4, T=203 K; 8SbF6, a=6.523(2), b=7.780(2), c=12.012(4) A, alpha=91.994(4), beta=96.716(4), gamma=09.177(4) degrees, triclinic, space group P, Z=2, T=198 K; 8[AsF6]2, a=12.7919(14), b=9.5760(11), c=18.532(2) A, alpha=gamma=90, beta=104.034(2) degrees, monoclinic, space group Pn, Z=6, T=198 K. Preparation of 8MF6 was carried out via a reduction of [CNSNS]2[MF6]2 (M=As, Sb) with either ferrocene or a SbPh3-NBu4Cl mixture. In the solid state, diamagnetic 8SbF6 contains centrosymmetric dimers [8*+]2 linked via two-electron four-centered pi*-pi* interactions with a thermally excited triplet state as detected by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). This is the first observation of a triplet excited state for a 7pi 1,2,3,5-dithiadiazolyl radical dimer. The singlet-triplet gap of the [-CNSSN*]2 radical pair was -1800+/-100 cm(-1) (-22+/-1 kJ/mol) with the ZFS components |D|=0.0267(6) cm(-1) and |E|=0.0012(1) cm(-1), corresponding to an in situ dimerization energy of ca. -11 kJ/mol. Cyclic voltammetry measurements of 8[AsF6]2 showed two reversible waves associated with a stepwise reduction of the two isomeric rings [E1/2 (+2/+1)=1.03 V; E1/2 (+1/0)=0.47 V, respectively]. 8MF6 (M=As, Sb) was further reduced to afford the mixed main-group diradical 8, containing two isomeric radical rings. In solution, 8 is thermodynamically unstable with respect to *NSSNC-CNSSN*, but is isolable in the solid state because of its low solubility in SO2. Likewise, 8SbF6, 8 is dimeric, with pi*-pi* interactions between different isomeric rings, and consequently diamagnetic; however, a slight increase in paramagnetism was observed upon grinding [from C=6.5(3)x10(-4) emu.K/mol and temperature-independent paramagnetism (TIP)=1.3(1)x10(-4) emu/mol to C=3.2(1)x10(-3) emu.K/mol and TIP=9.0(1)x10(-4) emu/mol], accompanied by an increase in the lattice-defect S=1/2 sites [from 0.087(1) to 0.43(1)%]. Computational analysis using the multiconfigurational approach [CASSCF(6,6)/6-31G*] indicated that the two-electron multicentered pi*-pi* bonds in [8*+]2 and [8]2 have substantial diradical characters, implying that their ground states are diradicaloid in nature. Our results suggest that the electronic structure of organic-radical ion pairs, for example, [TTF*+]2, [TCNE*-]2, [TCNQ*-]2, [DDQ*-]2, and related pi dimers, can be described in a similar way.

A pair of isostructural bis-selenathiazolyl and bis-diselenazolyl radical conductors display weak (spin-canted) ferromagnetism with Tc values of 18 K and 27 K respectively.

The preparation of two bisthiadiazinyls (7, R1 = Me, Et; R2 = Cl, R3 = Ph), the first examples of a new class of resonance-stabilized heterocyclic thiazyl radical, are reported. Both radicals have been characterized in solution by EPR spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry, which confirm highly delocalized spin distributions and low electrochemical cell potentials, features which augur well for the use of these materials as building blocks for neutral radical conductors. In the solid state, the radicals are undimerized, crystallizing in slipped pi-stack arrays which ensure the availability of electrons as potential charge carriers. However, despite these favorable electrochemical and structural properties, both materials exhibit low conductivities, with sigma(300K) < 10-7 S cm-1, a result which can be rationalized in terms of their EHT band electronic structures, which indicate that intermolecular interactions lateral to the pi-stacks are limited. The materials are thus very 1-D with low bandwidths, so that a Mott insulating state prevails. When R1 = Me, the intermolecular overlap along the pi-stacks is weak and the material is essentially paramagnetic. When R1 = Et, intermolecular pi-overlap is greater and variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate a strongly antiferromagnetically coupled system, the behavior of which has been modeled in terms of a molecular-field modified 1-D Heisenberg chain of S = 1/2 centers. Broken-symmetry DFT methods have been used to estimate the magnitude of individual exchange interactions within both structures.

A general synthetic route to the resonance-stabilized pyrazine-bridged bisdithiazolyl framework, involving the reductive deprotection of 2,6-diaminopyrazine-bisthiocyanate and cyclization with thionyl chloride, has been developed. An N-methyl bisdithiazolyl radical, 4-methyl-4H-bis[1,2,3]dithiazolo[4,5-b:5',4'-e]pyrazin-3-yl, has been prepared and characterized in solution by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. Its crystal structure has been determined at several temperatures. At 295 K, the structure belongs to the space group Cmca and consists of evenly spaced radicals pi-stacked in an alternating ABABAB fashion along the x-direction. At 123 K, the space group symmetry is lowered by loss of C-centering to Pccn, so that the radicals are no longer evenly spaced along the pi-stack. At 88 K, a further lowering of space group symmetry to P21/c is observed. Extended Hückel Theory band structure calculations indicate a progressive opening of a band gap at the Fermi level in the low-temperature structures. Magnetic susceptibility measurements over the range 4-300 K reveal essentially diamagnetic behavior below 120 K. Variable-temperature single-crystal conductivity (sigma) measurements indicate that the conductivity is activated, even at room temperature, with a room-temperature value sigma RT=0.001 S cm-1 and a thermal activation energy Eact=0.19 eV. Under an applied pressure of 5 GPa, sigma RT is increased by 3 orders of magnitude, but the conductivity remains activated, with Eact being lowered to 0.11 eV at 5.5 GPa.

We report the preparation, crystallization, and solid-state characterization of cycloheptyl and cyclooctyl-substituted spirobiphenalenyl radicals and the corresponding sigma-dimer of the cyclooctyl derivative. The crystal structure shows that the cycloheptyl radical (9) is monomeric in the solid state, with the molecules packed in an unusual one-dimensional (1-D) fashion that we refer to as a pi-chain structure, whereas the cyclooctyl variant exists both as pi-dimer 10 and sigma-dimer 10d. The neutral radical 9 shows the temperature-independent Pauli paramagnetism characteristic of a metal with a magnetic susceptibility, chip approximately 4.5x10(-4) emu/mol and is assigned a resonating valence bond (RVB) ground state. We highlight the relationship between the magnetic properties of the Heisenberg antiferromagnet and the RVB ground state in 1-D and further elucidate the electronic structure of this new class of compounds. Magnetic susceptibility measurements show that 10 is a diamagnetic pi-dimer, whereas 10d is a diamagnetic sigma-dimer. Extended Hückel calculations for 9 indicate that the solid is a one-dimensional organic metal with a bandwidth of about 0.4 eV. Pressed pellet conductivity measurements indicate values of sigmaRT=1.5x10(-3) S/cm for compound 9 and sigmaRT=1.0x10(-6) S/cm for compound 10. The structural results and transport properties are discussed in the light of extended Hückel theory band structure calculations and DFT investigations of the electronic structure of related compounds.

Reaction of N-alkylated pyridine-bridged bisdithiazolylium cations [1]+ (R1 =Me, Et; R2 =Ph) with selenium dioxide in acetic acid provides a one-step high-yield synthetic route to bisthiaselenazolylium cations [2]+ (R1 = Me, Et; R2 = Ph). The corresponding radicals 1 and 2 can be prepared by chemical or electrochemical reduction of the cations. Structural analysis of the radicals has been achieved by a combination of single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction methods. While the two sulfur radicals 1 adopt different space groups (P3(1)21 for R1 = Me and P(-)1 for R1 = Et), the two selenium radicals 2 (space groups P3(1)21 for R1 = Me and P3(2)21 for R1 =Et) are isostructural with each other and also with 1 (R1 = Me, R2 = Ph). Variable-temperature magnetic measurements on all four compounds confirm that they are undimerized S = 1/2 systems, with varying degrees of weak intermolecular antiferromagnetic coupling. Variable-temperature electrical conductivity measurements on the two selenium radicals provide conductivities sigma(300 K) = 7.4 x 10-6 (R1 = Et) and 3.3 x 10-5 S cm-1 (R1 = Me), with activation energies, E(act), of 0.32 (R1 = Et) and 0.29 eV (R1 = Me). The differences in conductivity within the isostructural series is interpreted in terms of their relative solid-state bandwidths, as estimated from Extended Hückel band-structure calculations.

An efficient and versatile synthetic route to resonance stabilized bisselenathiazolyl and bisdiselenazolyl radicals 3 and 4 is described. Structural analysis of 3 and 4 confirm that lattice and pi-delocalization energies are sufficient to offset solid-state dimerization of the radicals and that the two selenium-containing radicals are isostructural with the all-sulfur based system 1. Variable temperature conductivity measurements indicate that sequential replacement of sulfur by selenium leads to a progressive increase in conductivity and reduction in thermal activation energy.

The N-ethyl pyrazine-bridged bis-1,2,3-dithiazolyl radical (R(1) = Et) associates at room temperature as a C-C bonded sigma-dimer which, on heating, converts to a laterally S-S sigma-bonded structure.

We report the preparation, crystallization, and solid-state characterization of the first two members of a new family of spiro-bis(1,9-disubstituted phenalenyl)boron neutral radicals based solely on oxygen functionalization, and we show that this strategy significantly lowers the electrochemical disproportionation potentials (DeltaE), in comparison with other spiro-bis(1,9-disubstituted phenalenyl)boron salts. In the solid state, these radicals pack in a continuous array of pi-pi-stacked phenalenyl units with very short intermolecular carbon...carbon contacts. These two radicals are among the most highly conducting neutral organic solids, with room temperature conductivities reaching 0.3 S/cm. Magnetic susceptibility measurements show that the radicals do not exist as isolated free radicals, and there is significant spin-spin interaction between the molecules in the solid state as expected from the crystal structures and the calculated band structures; the solid-state properties are best rationalized in terms of the resonating valence bond model.

A synthetic sequence to salts of N-alkylated pyridine-bridged 1,2,3-thiaselenazolo-1,2,3-thiaselenazolylium cations [2]+ (R1 = Me, Et; R2 = H) is described. The corresponding radicals 2 (R1 = Me, Et; R2 = H) can be generated from the cations by chemical or electrochemical reduction. Crystals of the two radicals are isostructural and consist of interpenetrating pi-stacked arrays of closed-shell Se-Se sigma-bonded dimers [2]2 laced together with numerous short intermolecular Se- - -Se, Se- - -S, and Se- - -N contacts. Variable-temperature magnetic, conductivity, and near-infrared optical measurements indicate that the bulk materials behave as small band gap semiconductors with room-temperature conductivities sigma(RT) near 10(-6) S cm(-1) and thermal activation energies Ea of 0.32 eV (R1 = Me) and 0.36 eV (R1 = Et). LMTO band structure calculations on both compounds are consistent with this interpretation. The application of external pressure leads to dramatic increases in conductivity; at 4 GPa sigma(RT) reaches a value near 10(-1) S cm(-1) for R1 = Me and 10(-2) S/cm for R1 = Et. The conductivity remains activated for both compounds, but for R1 = Me the activation energy Ea is reduced to near 0.03 eV at 5 GPa, suggestive of a weakly metallic state.

The first example of an undimerized pi-stacked bis-1,2,3-thiaselenazolyl radical displays improved bandwidth and conductivity relative to an isostructural bis-1,2,3-dithiazolyl.

An organic material composed of neutral free radicals based on the spirobiphenalenyl system exhibits a room temperature conductivity of 0.3 siemens per centimeter and a high-symmetry crystal structure. It displays the temperature-independent Pauli paramagnetism characteristic of a metal with a magnetic susceptibility that implies a density of states at the Fermi level of 15.5 states per electron volt per mole. Extended Hückel calculations indicate that the solid is a three-dimensional organic metal with a band width of approximately 0.5 electron volts. However, the compound shows activated conductivity (activation energy, 0.054 electron volts) and an optical energy gap of 0.34 electron volts. We argue that these apparently contradictory properties are best resolved in terms of the resonating valence-bond ground state originally suggested by Pauling, but with the modifications introduced by Anderson.

We report the preparation, crystallization, and solid-state characterization of the first members of a new family of spiro-bis-(1,9-diamino-substituted-phenalenyl)boron neutral radicals. The crystal structures show that the three radicals are monomeric and without close contacts in the crystal lattice. In all cases magnetic susceptibility measurements confirm the presence of free radicals with one unpaired spin per molecule. Two of the new radical compounds are among the most highly conducting neutral organic solids, with room-temperature conductivities reaching sigma(RT) = 4 x 10(-2) S/cm. The measured conductivities correlate with the closest intermolecular contacts in the solid state and with the calculated band dispersions, even though the bandwidths are much smaller than those found in other organic conductors.

Resonance stabilized bis-1,2,3-thiaselenazolyl radicals associate in the solid state to afford Se-Se sigma-bonded dimers.

Synthetic routes to salts of the 3H-naphtho[1,2-d][1,2,3]dithiazolylium cation and its three selenium-containing variants (SSeN, SeSN, and SeSeN) are described. The most efficient and general method involves the intermediacy of bis-acetylated aminothiolates and aminoselenolates. These reagents react smoothly with sulfur and selenium halides to afford the desired ring closure products. Electrochemical reduction of the four cations indicates that corresponding radicals (SSN, SSeN, SeSN, and SeSeN) are stable in solution. The EPR spectra of all four have been recorded, and experimental spin distributions have been cross-matched with those obtained from DFT calculations. The selenium-containing radicals are thermally unstable at or slightly above room temperature, but the all-sulfur species has been isolated and characterized crystallographically. In the solid state, the radicals are associated into cofacial dimers which are closely linked to other dimers by intermolecular S---S, S---N, and C-H---aromatic ring interactions.

The resonance stabilized bis-thiadiazinyl framework holds potential as a stable and versatile building block for the design of radical-based conductors and magnetic materials.

The molecular radical 1,3,2-dithiazolo[4,5-b]pyrazin-2-yl (PDTA) exhibits magnetic bistability just above room temperature, undergoing a well-defined hysteretic phase change with TC downward arrow = 297(1) K and TC upward arrow = 343(1) K. The crystal structures of the two phases of PDTA have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction at 323(2) K. LT-PDTA consists of diamagnetic (S = 0) nearly superimposed pi-dimer stacks, while that of HT-PDTA comprises slipped stacks of pi-radicals (S = 1/2). The structural interconversion is suggested to proceed via the cooperative breaking and making of intermolecular S- - -N interactions and an inversion symmetry-preserving "domino cascade" of the pi-stacked rings.

New synthetic methods for heterocyclic 1,3,2-dithiazolyl (DTA) radicals have been developed, and trends in the molecular spin distributions and electrochemical properties of a series of DTA radicals are reported. The crystal structures of [1,2,5]thiadiazolo[3,4-f][1,3,2]benzodithiazol-2-yl (TBDTA) and [1,3,2]pyrazinodithiazol-2-yl (PDTA) have been determined. The structure of TBDTA (at 293 and 95 K) contains two molecules in the asymmetric unit, each of which generates pi-stacked arrays, one consisting of antiparallel chains of centrosymmetrically associated dimers, the other comprising parallel chains of unassociated radicals. The structure of PDTA (at 293 and 95 K) is simpler, consisting of slipped stacks of pi-dimers. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility (chi(P)) measurements on TBDTA indicate essentially paramagnetic behavior for the unassociated radical pi-stacks over the range 5-400 K. By contrast PDTA is diamagnetic at all temperatures below 300 K, but between 300 and 350 K the value of chi(P) follows a sharp and well-defined hysteresis loop, with T(C) downward arrow = 297 K and T(C) upward arrow = 343 K. These features are symptomatic of a regime of bistability involving the observed low temperature pi-dimer structure and a putative high-temperature radical pi-stack. A mechanism for the interconversion of the two phases of PDTA and related structures is proposed in which hysteretic behavior arises from cooperative effects associated with the breaking and making of a lattice-wide network of intermolecular S- - -N' and/or S- - -S' interactions.

We report the preparation, crystallization, and solid-state characterization of a benzyl-substituted spirobiphenalenyl radical. The crystal structure shows that the radical is monomeric in the solid state, with the molecules packed in an unusual one-dimensional (1-D) fashion that we refer to as a pi-step stack. This particular mode of 1-D stacking is forced on the lattice arrangement by the presence of the orthogonal phenalenyl units that were specifically incorporated to prevent the crystallization of low-dimensional structures. The structure shows that this strategy is effective, and neighboring molecules in the stack can only interact via the overlap of one pair of active (spin-bearing) carbon atoms per phenalenyl unit, leading to the pi-step structure in which the remaining four active carbon atoms per phenalenyl unit do not interact with nearest neighbor molecules. The magnetic susceptibility data in the temperature range 4-360 K may be fit to an antiferromagnetic Heisenberg S = 1/2 linear chain model with intrachain spin coupling J = -52.3 cm(-1). Despite the uniform stacking, the material has a room temperature conductivity of 1.4 x 10(-3) S/cm and is best described as a Mott insulator.

New synthetic routes to 1,2,3-dithiazolo-1,2,3-dithiazolylium salts, based on double Herz condensations of N-alkylated 2,6-diaminopyridinium salts with sulfur monochloride, have been developed. The two prototypal 1,2,3-dithiazolo-1,2,3-dithiazolyl radicals HBPMe and HBPEt have been prepared and characterized in solution by cyclic voltammetry and EPR spectroscopy. Measured electrochemical cell potentials and computed (B3LYP/6-31G) gas-phase disproportionation enthalpies favor a low on-site Coulombic repulsion energy U in the solid state. The crystal structures of HBPR (R = Me, Et) have been determined by X-ray crystallography (at 293 K). Both consist of slipped pi-stacks of undimerized radicals, with many close intermolecular S- - -S contacts. Magnetic, conductivity, and optical measurements have been performed and the results interpreted in light of extended Hückel band calculations. The crystalline materials are paramagnetic above 100 K, with room-temperature conductivities sigma(RT) of 10(-5)-10(-6) S cm(-1); the slightly greater conductivity of the R = Et compound can be associated with a more well developed band structure. We suggest a Mott-Hubbard insulator ground state for these materials, with an on-site Coulomb repulsion energy U of about 1.0 eV.

Crystals of (Cl2C3NS)(ClC2NS2), an isothiazolyl-substituted 1,2,3-dithiazolyl radical, consist of evenly spaced, slipped pi-stacks; magnetic and conductivity measurements indicate the material is a Mott insulator with sigma RT = 2 x 10(-7) S cm-1.

Alkylation of the zwitterionic heterocycle 8-chloro-bis[1,2,3]dithiazolo[4,5-b:5',4'-e]pyridine (ClBP) with alkyl triflates affords 8-chloro-4-alkyl-4H-bis[1,2,3]dithiazolo[4,5-b:5',4'-e]pyridin-2-ium triflates [ClBPR][OTf] (R = Me, Et, Pr). Reduction of these salts with decamethylferrocene affords the corresponding ClBPR radicals as thermally stable crystalline solids. The radicals have been characterized in solution by cyclic voltammetry and EPR spectroscopy. Measured electrochemical cell potentials and computed (B3LYP/6-31G) gas-phase disproportionation enthalpies are consistent with a low on-site Coulombic barrier U to charge transfer in the solid state. The crystal structures of ClBPR (R = Me, Et, Pr) have been determined by X-ray crystallography (at 293 K). All three structures consist of slipped pi-stacks of undimerized radicals, with many close intermolecular S.S contacts. ClBPMe undergoes a phase transition at 93 K to a slightly modified slipped pi-stack arrangement, the structure of which has also been established crystallographically (at 25 K). Variable-temperature magnetic and conductivity measurements have been performed, and the results interpreted in light of extended Hückel band calculations. The room-temperature conductivities of ClBPR systems (sigma(RT) approximately 10(-)(5) to 10(-)(6) S cm(-)(1)), as well as the weak 1D ferromagnetism exhibited by ClBPMe, are interpreted in terms of weak intermolecular overlap along the pi-stacks. The latter is caused by slippage of the molecular plates, a feature necessitated by the steric size of the R and Cl groups on the pyridine ring.

The S-Se-N-based heterocycle benzo[2,1-c:3,4-c']bis(1,2,3-thiaselenazole) (BSe) can be prepared by the condensation of 1,4-diaminobenzene-2,3-dithiol with selenium tetrachloride. Crystals of this compound are not isomorphous with the related benzo[2,1-c:3,4-c']bis(1,2,3-dithiazole) (BT); a structure is adopted that allows for more extensive intermolecular Se- - -Se contacts. Electro-oxidation of BSe in the presence of [n-Bu4N][ClO4] affords metallic green needles of the charge transfer salt [BSe]3[ClO4]2, which exhibit a pressed pellet conductivity sigma(RT) = 10(-1) S cm(-1). The crystal structure of [BSe]3[ClO4]2 consists of slipped pi-stacks based on the triple-decker closed shell [BSe]3(2+) building block. The packing is analogous to that found for the charge transfer salt [BT]3[FSO3]2, for which sigma(RT) = 10(-2) S cm(-1). Extended Hückel band structure calculations on these two (sulfur- and selenium-based) 3:2 salts reveal more extensive intermolecular interactions in the selenium compound. As a result, the latter has a more two-dimensional electronic structure. Crystal data for Se2S2N2C6H2, a = 4.103(2) A, b = 12.159(2) A, c = 16.171(2) A, orthorhombic, Pbnm, Z = 4. Crystal data for Se6S6N6C18H6Cl2O4, a =17.00(1) A, b = 18.36(1) A, c = 10.679(4) A, 110.27(3), monoclinic, C2/c, Z = 4.

Bifunctional 1,2,3-dithiazoles bridged with azine and phenylenediamine spacers have been prepared, with a view to determining the extent of communication between the two dithiazole rings as a function of the electronic and steric demands of the bridge. The crystal structure of the closed-shell diazine derivative [S(2)NClC(2)=NN=C(2)ClNS(2)] is rigorously planar. Cyclic voltammetry on this compound indicates two reversible one-electron oxidations. The radical cation state has been characterized by EPR spectroscopy and by crystal structure determination of its 1:1 PF(6)(-) salt. The latter reveals little interaction between neighboring radical cations; consistently, the material exhibits a conductivity of sigma < 10(-5) S cm(-1). Insertion of a phenylene group into the diazine bridge to afford [S(2)NClC(2)=NC(6)H(4)N=C(2)ClNS(2)] leads to significant torsional motion between the phenylene ring and the two end groups, as a result of which the two DTA rings are electronically independent; no radical cation state has been observed for this species. Crystal data for Cl(2)S(4)N(4)C(4): a = 5.1469(15), b = 13.343(2), c = 14.2031(17), orthorhombic, Pbca, Z = 4. Crystal data for Cl(2)S(4)N(4)C(4)PF(6): a = 11.699(4), b = 12.753(5), c = 10.461(4), beta = 112.17(1) degrees, monoclinic, C2/c, Z = 4. Crystal data for C(l2)S(4)N(4)C(10)H(4): a = 3.9477(6), b = 23.790(3), c = 7.3769(9), beta =90.793(12) degrees, monoclinic, P2(1)/c, Z = 2.

Selective azide mono-oxidation of o-bis(phosphines) such as o-bis(diphenylphosphino)benzene and other bis(phosphines) with cis-substituents on a rigid backbone such as an ethylene structure occurs as the result of the steric control exerted during the azide oxidation (Staudinger) reaction process. The azides used were the trimethylsilyl, 4-cyanotetrafluorophenyl, benzyl, and diphenoxyphosphonyl azides. The prototypical ligand 1-Ph(2)P=N(SiMe(3))-2-(Ph(2)P)C(6)H(4), 2, has been structurally characterized. Crystal data for 2: crystal dimensions, 0.38 x 0.38 x 0.57 mm; space group, monoclinic, P2(1)/c, (No. 14); a = 11.093(5) Å, b = 14.898(5) Å, c = 18.811(2) Å, beta = 102.76(2) degrees, V = 3031 Å(3), Z = 4. Final R, R(w) and GOF values were 0.068, 0.074, and 1.92 respectively. The P=N-SiMe(3) angle was wide, 152.7(3) degrees, and the P=N bond length short (1.529(5) Å) relative to arylated iminophosphoranes but in keeping with the trends for silylated analogs. The iminophosphorane center can be selectively transformed with other agents in a Wittig type reaction converting the azides to the monooxide, monosulfide, etc. The iminophosphoranophosphines are also good complexing agents and the Rh(I) complex derived from 2, 1-Ph(2)P=N(SiMe(3))-C(6)H(4)-2-(Ph(2)P)Rh(CO)Cl, 15 was structurally characterized. Crystal data for 15: crystal dimensions, 0.32 x 0.44 x 0.66 mm; space group, monoclinic, P2(1)/c (No. 14); a = 13.793(3) Å, b = 12.622(11) Å, c = 20.436(6) Å, beta = 105.93(2) degrees, V = 3421.2 Å(3), Z = 4. Final R, R(w), and GOF values were 0.064, 0.061, and 1.45 respectively. The complex shows typical square planar geometry about Rh, a cis phosphine-CO relationship, and no exceptional steric crowding of the coordination site.

Verruca plantaris, caused by papovavirus, is frequently seen in patients between the ages of 12 and 16 years. Some type of tissue destruction is used in most methods of treatment. The author discusses electrodesiccation which the considers the treatment of choice as excellent cosmetic results are usually obtained and recurrences are minimal.

A system is described for the maintenance of cumulative haematology records for selected patients using a laboratory minicomputer with limited storage capacity. Records are indexed by the patient's name and location since, as in the majority of hospital laboratories, there is no unique numbering scheme which covers all patients. The computer system imitates the procedures of manual filing, listing uncertain record matches for human decision. Applications include the production of a regularly updated printing of of cumulative files, the preparation of graphs from cumulative blood count records, and the provision of a summary and follow-up service for general practitioners.

Participants in work-site health promotion programs are compared with other employees at the same work-site in terms of health care utilization as measured by insurance claims. Participants tended to incur higher health care costs than nonparticipants for the six-month period after the program began. However, a cohort analysis of one of the groups shows that participants' costs declined in relation to nonparticipants' for subsequent periods. Overall, for 4.75 years after the program, participants averaged 24% lower health care costs than nonparticipants. The imputed savings in health care costs exceeds program costs for this cohort by a factor of 1.45. The findings substantially strengthen the conclusions of other controlled studies that work-site health promotion reduces health care costs.