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Yucatan miniature pigs (YMPs) are similar to humans in spinal cord size as well as physiological and neuroanatomical features, making them a useful model for human spinal cord injury. However, little is known regarding pig gait kinematics, especially on a treadmill. In this study, 12 healthy YMPs were assessed during bipedal and/or quadrupedal stepping on a treadmill at six speeds (1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, and 3.5 km/h). Kinematic parameters, including limb coordination and proximal and distal limb angles, were measured. Findings indicate that YMPs use a lateral sequence footfall pattern across all speeds. Stride and stance durations decreased with increasing speed whereas swing duration showed no significant change. Across all speeds assessed, no significant differences were noted between hindlimb stepping parameters for bipedal or quadrupedal gait with the exception of distal limb angular kinematics. Specifically, significant differences were observed between locomotor tasks during maximum flexion (quadrupedal > bipedal), total excursion (bipedal > quadrupedal), and the phase relationship between the timing of maximum extension between the right and left hindlimbs (bipedal > quadrupedal). Speed also impacted maximum flexion and right-left phase relationships given that significant differences were found between the fastest speed (3.5 km/h) relative to each of the other speeds. This study establishes a methodology for bipedal and quadrupedal treadmill-based kinematic testing in healthy YMPs. The treadmill approach used was effective in recruiting primarily the spinal circuitry responsible for the basic stepping patterns as has been shown in cats. We recommend 2.5 km/h (0.7 m/sec) as a target walking gait for pre-clinical studies using YMPs, which is similar to that used in cats.

This study replicates Zigraiova and Havranek's (2016) meta‐analysis of banking competition and financial stability. It performs multiple types of replications: a ‘Reproduction’ replication where ZH a ‘Repetition’ replication where the studies used by ZH an ‘Extension’ replication where additional studies on banking competition and stability are analysed; and a ‘Robustness Analysis’ where we check ZH and that this sensitivity extends to ‘best practice’ estimates.

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 EspG1 chaperone from the ESX-1 system determined using a fusion strategy with T4 lysozyme. EspG1 adopts a quasi 2-fold symmetric structure that consists of a central β-sheet and two α-helical bundles. Additionally, we describe the structures of EspG3 chaperones from four different crystal forms. Alternate conformations of the putative PE-PPE binding site are revealed by comparison of the available EspG3 structures. Analysis of EspG1, EspG3 and EspG5 chaperones using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) reveals that EspG1 and EspG3 chaperones form dimers in solution, which we observed in several of our crystal forms. Finally, we propose a model of the ESX-3 specific EspG3-PE5-PPE4 complex based on the SAXS analysis.HighlightsThe crystal structure of EspG1 reveals the common architecture of the type VII secretion system chaperonesStructures of EspG3 chaperones display a number of conformations that could reflect alternative substrate binding modesEspG3 chaperones dimerize in solutionA model of EspG3 in complex with its substrate PE-PPE dimer is proposed based on SAXS data

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.

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.

A clinical need exists for a cell delivery device that supports long term cell viability, cell retention within the device and retrieval of delivered cells if necessary. Previously, cell isolation devices have been based on hollow fiber membranes, porous polymer scaffolds, alginate systems, or micro-machined membranes. We present the development and characterization of a novel dual porosity electrospun membrane based device, which supports cellular infiltration and vascularization of its outer porous layer and maintains cellular isolation within a lumen bounded by an inner low porosity layer. Electrospinning conditions were initially established to support electrospun fiber deposition onto nonconductive silicone surfaces. With these parameters established, devices for in vivo evaluations were produced using nylon as a nonconductive scaffold for deposition of dual porosity electrospun fibers. The outer porous layer supported the development of a penetrating microcirculation and the membrane supported the transfer of insulin from encapsulated sustained release pellets for four weeks. Viable cells implanted within the device could be identified after two weeks of implantation. Through the successful demonstration of survival and cellular isolation of human epithelial cells within the implanted devices and the ability to use the device to deliver insulin, we have established the utility of this device toward localized cell transplantation. The Cell Delivery Device establishes a platform to test the feasibility of approaches to cell dose control and cell localization at the site of implantation in the clinical use of modified autologous or allogeneic cells.

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.

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).

Pyridyl-1,3,2-dithiazolyl PyDTA (1) has been synthesized and its electronic structure has been probed by cyclic voltammetry, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, and density functional theory calculations. The results demonstrate that the spin distribution and redox properties of the radical are intermediate between those observed for the isoelectronic benzoand pyrazino-1,3,2-dithiazolyl radicals. Crystals of 1 can be grown by vacuum sublimation as two polymorphs. The kinetically favored form 1r grows as purple/black blocks or rods and crystallizes in the noncentric space group P21, while the thermodynamically favored 1 phase forms green/black shards and crystallizes in the centric space group P21/n. The structures of both 1r and 1 comprise layers of head-to-head π*-π* dimers in the ab plane. The two structures differ in the orientation of the π-dimers along the stacks. In 1r dimers are aligned head-to-head, while in 1 the orientation of the dimers alternates in a head-over-tail fashion, so as to produce an approximate doubling of the crystallographic c-axis in relation to 1r. Variable temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal that both phases are essentially diamagnetic at low temperatures. Above 180 K (for 1 ) and above 250 K (for 1r) the free Curie spin count for both polymorphs begins to rise, indicating a weakening of the π*-π* dimers in the solid state.

We report an investigation into the effect of oxygen and sulfur substitution on the dimerization of phenalenyl-based neutral radicals; these substituents are expected to electronically stabilize the free radical while sterically interfering with dimerization. The 1,3,4,9-tetramethoxyphenalenyl (7a) and 1-ethoxy-3,4,9-trimethoxyphenalenyl (7b) radicals are prepared by chemical reduction of the cation salts, but the crystals that are isolated from these solutions are shown to be composed of alkoxy-substituted peropyrenes by X-ray crystallography. Crystallization of 1,9-dithiophenalenyl (8) gives rise to a π-dimer, and this is the first example of a radical based on a single phenalenyl unit that has been stabilized against σ-dimerization in the solid state by electronic effects rather than by the presence of sterically bulky substituents.

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.

The germanium (IV) and silicon (IV) complexes, tris-(9-oxophenalenone)-germanium (IV) tetrakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl) phenyl] borate (7+TFPB−) and tris-(9-oxophenalenone)-silicon (IV) tetrakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl) phenyl] borate (8+TFPB−), derived from 9-hydroxyphenalenone have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, infrared spectra and as well as by single crystal X-ray study. The crystal structure of 7+TFPB− and 8+TFPB− shows a one-dimensional chain like structure and π-overlap between the neighbouring phenalenyl planes. The cyclic voltammograms of 7+TFPB− and 8+TFPB− show three reversible one-electron reduction steps due to the formation of the radical, anion and dianion as each phenalenyl moiety accepts an electron.

We report the preparation and solid state characterization of a silicon (IV) salt based on a new redox active tripodal hexadentate ligand [H3L = l,l,l-Tris(l′-oxophenalenyl-9′-N-methyl) ethane]. X-ray analysis of the complex reveals a short Si-N bond distance (av 1.878(16)). The compound is shown to undergo three reversible one-electron reduction steps (without decomposition) due to the formation of radical, anion and dianion of the phenalenyl moiety.

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 ∼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.

A general synthetic route to the pyridine-bridged dithiazolodithiazolyl framework R2BPR1, involving N-alkylation of a 4-substituted 2,6-dichloropyridine, followed by amination and double Herz cyclization with S2Cl2, has been developed. The radicals R2BPMe (R2 = Me, Ph) have been prepared and characterized by EPR spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. Their crystal structures have been determined by X-ray crystallography. Both structures consist of undimerized slipped radical π-stacks. Lateral interactions in MeBPMe (space group P21/c) generate chainlike arrays with radicals linked by inversion centers; there are no close interchain S−S contacts. By contrast, in PhBPMe (space group P3121) the radical π-stacks are nested about 31 axes, so as to produce an extensive 2-dimensional network of intermolecular S−S interactions. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal that MeBPMe is essentially paramagnetic, whereas PhBPMe displays strong antiferromagnetic coupling. A value of J = −149 cm-1 ...

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.

The passage of a current through a solid requires a pathway for the movement of electrons or holes. A new class of phenalenyl-based neutral radical molecular conductors has recently been reported; a distinctive feature of these molecular solids is the absence of any obvious conducting pathway(s). These radicals do not stack in the solid state, and the requisite carbon−carbon contacts are all larger than the sum of the van der Waals distances. Magnetic susceptibility measurements show that the first compound to be isolated behaves as a free radical with one spin per molecule, apparently supporting the idea that there is little interaction between the molecules in the solid state. Nevertheless, this radical shows the highest conductivity (σRT = 0.05 S/cm), of any neutral organic solid, and the conduction mechanism is presently unresolved. In the present study, we report a structurally related radical with a resistivity 4 orders of magnitude higher than that of the previously reported radicals. We analyze th...

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.

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. peerReviewed

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 sigma10(-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.

Oxidation of quinoxalineaminothiol with SCl2 or S2Cl2/Cl2 affords a series of compounds based on the quinoxaline-1,2,3-dithiazole framework QDTA. Under highly oxidizing conditions, the 1,2,3-dithiazolyl ring is opened to afford the acyclic dichlorosulfimino-sulfenyl chlorides Clx-QDTA-Cl3 (x = 0, 1, 2). Reduction of these "trichloro" compounds leads to ring closure. For x = 2, reduction using S2Cl2 affords the dithiazolylium chloride [Cl2-QDTA][Cl]. For all values of x, reduction with iodide ion (3 mol equiv) affords the corresponding dithiazolyl radical [Clx-QDTA]. The radicals can be isolated in good yield in crude form, but attempts to purify them by vacuum sublimation lead to thermal degradation. The radicals have nonetheless been fully characterized by EPR spectroscopy, and the assignments of the observed hyperfine coupling constants cross-matched with those obtained by computation at the B3LYP/6-31G** level. The structures of the trichloro compounds Clx-QDTA-Cl3 (x = 1, 2) have been confirmed by X-ray crystallography. Crystal data: Cl-QDTA-Cl3, monoclinic, space group C2/c, a = 30.561(5) Å, b = 4.9764(9) Å, c = 22.247(4) Å, β = 131.822(14)°, V = 2521.4(8) Å3, Z = 8, R(F) = 0.043, and Rw(F) [I [Formula: see text] σ (I)] = 0.049; Cl2-QDTA-Cl3, orthorhombic, space group Pnma, a = 18.627(12) Å, b = 6.848(4) Å, c = 10.926(7) Å, V = 1393.7(15) Å3, Z = 4, R(F) = 0.047, and Rw(F) [I [Formula: see text] 3σ(I)] = 0.060.Key words: thiazyl radicals, molecular conductors, EPR spectroscopy, quinoxaline, DFT calculations.

We report the preparation, crystallization, and solid-state characterization of a spiro-biphenalenyl radical. The crystal structure shows that the radical is monomeric in the solid state and withou...

Reductive coupling of 4,5-dichloro-1,2,3-dithiazolylium chloride yields trans-4,4‘-dichloro-1,1‘,2,2‘,3,3‘-tetrathiadiazafulvalene (DC-TAF), the first example of this heterofulvalene system. Ab initio molecular orbital (B3LYP/6-31G**) calculations on prototypal TAF confirm that the closed shell 1Ag state lies 22 kcal mol-1 below the 3Bu diradical triplet. Cyclic voltammetry on DC-TAF reveals two reversible oxidation waves at 0.80 and 1.25 V (in CH3CN, reference SCE). The ESR signal (g = 2.0117) of the radical cation [DC-TAF]+ (in SO2(l)) exhibits a five-line hyperfine coupling pattern with aN = 0.096 mT. DC-TAF forms a series of 1:1 radical ion salts [DC-TAF][X] by electrooxidation in the presence of tetrahedral counterions (X- = BF4-, ClO4-, FSO3-). The crystal structures of these salts are isomorphous, monoclinic space group P21/n, and consist of one-dimensional ladder-like arrays of [DC-TAF]+ radical cations bridged by S- - -S contacts ranging from 3.5 to 3.7 A. Variable-temperature conductivity and ma...

The synthesis and solid-state characterization of the heterocyclic π-radical 1,2,5-thiadiazolo[3,4-b]-1,2,3-dithiazolo[3,4-b]pyrazin-2-yl, 1,2,3-TDTA, is described. The ESR spectrum of 1,2,3-TDTA (in CH2Cl2, 293 K, g = 2.009) confirms a highly delocalized spin distribution, with observable hyperfine coupling to all five nitrogen atoms of the tricyclic molecule (aN = 0.514, 0.343, 0.109, 0.051, and 0.045 mT). While chemical and electrochemical oxidation (E1/2(ox) = 1.14 V vs SCE) of 1,2,3-TDTA requires relatively harsh conditions, reduction is extremely facile (E1/2(red) = 0.15 V vs SCE). More importantly both the observed cell potential Ecell and computed (MNDO) gas-phase enthalpy ΔHdisp for the disproportionation of this and other 1,2,3-dithiazolyls are significantly lower than those observed for their 1,3,2-isomers. Crystals of 1,2,3-TDTA are monoclinic P21/n, with a = 6.6749(16) A, b = 11.7178(14) A, c = 8.6148(14) A, β = 103.297(16)°, and Z = 4. The crystal structure consists of slipped stacks of head...

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.

The heterocyclic π-donor benzo[2,1-c:3,4-c‘]bis(1,2,3-dithiazole) (BT) can be prepared in 60% yield by the condensation of 1,4-diaminobenzene-2,3-dithiol with sulfur monochloride. BT is also formed, in low yield, along with its 5-chloro and 5,6-dichloro derivatives, in the reaction of p-phenylenediamine with sulfur monochloride. Cyclic voltammetry on BT reveals two reversible oxidation waves at 0.61 and 1.10 V (in CH3CN, ref SCE). The ESR signal (g = 2.0175) of the radical cation BT+ [in SO2(l)] exhibits a 1:2:3:2:1 hyperfine structure with aN = 0.161 mT. BT forms radical ion salts by electro-oxidation in the presence of inorganic counterions. In addition to a 1:1 salt [BT][ClO4], the structure of which consists of a simple ionic arrangement of BT+ radical cations and ClO4- anions, BT also forms 3:2 salts, i.e., [BT]3[X]2, with X = ClO4- and FSO3-. The crystal structures of these 3:2 salts consist of triple-decker units of radical cation dimers, i.e., [BT2]2+, and neutral BT molecules. These units are pac...

The condensation of diaminobenzenedithiol with sulfur monochloride leads to the chloride salt of the radical cation of 3,6-dichlorobenzo(1,2-d:4,5-d')bis(1,2,3-dithiazole), dichloro-(BB-123-DTA)(Cl), which can be reduced to neutral dichloro-(BB-123-DTA) with triphenylantimony. A similar condensation with selenium tetrachloride leads, upon reduction, to the corresponding bis(1,2,3-thiaselenazole) dichloro-(BB-123-TSA). The crystal and molecular structures of both compounds have been determined by X-ray diffraction. Both compounds, which are formally antiaromatic 16﷿-systems, exhibit internal bond lengths consistent with a quinoid formulation. The radical cations of both rings have been characterized by ESR spectroscopy; for dichloro-(BB-123-DTA) + g ) 2.0114 and aN ) 0.201 mT, while for dichloro-(BB-123-TSA) + g ) 2.021 and aN ) 0.44 mT. Further oxidation of both rings affords the corresponding dications, both of which have been characterized crystallographically as their AlCl 4 - salts. The structural features of these compounds are consistent with those expected for dithiazolylium (or thiaselenazolylium) derivatives. The structure and redox chemistry of the benzo(1,2-d:4,5-d')bis(1,2,3-dithiazole) framework is discussed in the light of the results of ab initio calculations.

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

The preparation of the bis(1,2,3,5-dithiadiazolyl) radicals [S2N2C]−X−[CN2S2], where X is a heterocyclic bridging group (X = piperazine, thiophene, bithiophene) is described. Crystal structures of ...

A systematic investigation has been made into the degree of silylium ion character in species of the type i-Pr3SiY where Y- is a weakly coordinating hexahalo-carborane anion, X6-CB11H6-, with X = Cl, Br, I. By X-ray crystal structural criteria such as the average C−Si−C angle (117.3(4)°, 117.0(13)°, and 115.6(9)° for X = Cl, Br, I, respectively) and the downfield 29Si chemical shift (115, 110, and 97 ppm for X = Cl, Br, I, respectively) the hexachloro-carborane anion is the least coordinating. Thus, the “ion-like” species i-Pr3Siδ+(Cl6-CB11H6)δ- becomes the closest structural approach to date to a condensed phase silylium ion. With the aid of ab initio molecular orbital theory and silicon chemical shift calculations we address the question of how much silylium ion character this species represents. From structural, energetic, and NMR criteria (where expectation values for the condensed phase 29Si chemical shifts are revised downward) we conclude that i-Pr3Siδ+(Cl6-CB11H6)δ- may have >50% silylium ion char...

Cosublimation of 2,5-furanbis(1,2,3,5-dithiadiazolyl) [F-2,5-S] and iodine affords 1:1 and 2:1 charge-transfer salts, [F-2,5-S][I] and [F-2,5-S]2[I]. Cosublimation of 2,6-pyridinebis(1,2,3,5-dithiadiazolyl) [P-2,6-S] and iodine affords uniquely the 2:1 charge-transfer salt [P-2,6-S]2[I]. Crystals of the latter belong to the space group P21/c, a = 3.434(3), b = 9.8914(9), c = 30.803(4) A, β = 91.52(3)°, V = 1045.9(9) A3, Z = 2. The structure consists of [P-2,6-S] molecules stacked along the x direction. Pairs of stacks are linked head-on through iodine atoms, which themselves form disordered stacks running parallel to x. The internal structural parameters of the two CN2S2 rings within each molecule suggest that one (linked to iodine) is formally uncharged, while the other is partially oxidized. This latter ring is heavily coordinated through S- - -N linkages to neighboring CN2S2 rings and pyridine. Magnetic susceptibility measurements on [P-2,6-S]2[I] indicate that it is diamagnetic below 220 K.

Heterobifunctional phosphorus compounds have been prepared by oxidizing one phosphorus atom of a bis(phosphine) with azides. A variety of backbone structures have been used with one and two carbon chains, saturated and unsaturated structures and RN. Some degree of steric control appears to limit the extent of oxidation in cis bis(phosphines) with rigid backbones. Trimethylsilyl azide gives silylated iminophosphoranes with a reactive functionality on the imine nitrogen which can be replaced via metathetical elimination of Me3SiX or converted to the trimethylsiloxy metal derivative by rearrangement of the trimethylsilyl group to terminal oxygen of a highly oxidized metal oxo precursor. Structural features of several examples of the heterobifunctional phosphorus compounds and their derivatives are described.

Heterobifunctional phosphorus compounds have been prepared by oxidizing one phosphorus atom of a bis(phosphine) with azides. A variety of backbone structures have been used with one and two carbon chains, saturated and unsaturated structures and RN. Some degree of steric control appears to limit the extent of oxidation in cis bis(phosphines) with rigid backbones. Trimethylsilyl azide gives silylated iminophosphoranes with a reactive functionality on the imine nitrogen which can be replaced via metathetical elimination of Me3SiX or converted to the trimethylsiloxy metal derivative by rearrangement of the trimethylsilyl group to terminal oxygen of a highly oxidized metal oxo precursor. Structural features of several examples of the heterobifunctional phosphorus compounds and their derivatives are described.

Photolysis of [bis(dicyclohexylamino)phosphanyl](trimethylsilyl)diazomethane leads to the corresponding stable carbene1b, which reacts with triethylborane affording a borane–carbene adduct2b, characterized by spectroscopy in solution before rearrangement and fragmentation into P-dicyclohexylamino-C-(ethyl)(trimethylsilyl)phosphaalkene3b; trimethylsilyltrifluoromethanesulfonate adds to 1b giving the methylenephosphonium4b.

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

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 Te⋯N′ intermolecular contacts; electrochemical data and the results of DFT calculations suggest that the dimers persist in solution.

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.

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 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.