Anion-directed synthesis of metal-organic frameworks based on 2-picolinate Cu(II) complexes: a ferromagnetic alternating chain and two unprecedented ferromagnetic fish backbone chains

Three new polynuclear copper(II) complexes of 2-picolinic acid (Hpic), {[Cu-2(pic)(3)(H2O)]ClO4}(n) (1), {[Cu-2(pic)(3)(H2O)]BF4}(n) (2), and [Cu-2(pic)3(H2O)(2)(NO3)](n) (3), have been synthesized by reaction of the "metalloligand" [Cu-(pic)(2)] with the corresponding copper(II) salts. The compounds are characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses and variable-temperature magnetic measurements. Compounds 1 and 2 are isomorphous and crystallize in the triclinic system with space group P (1) over bar, while 3 crystallizes in the monoclinic system with space group P2(1)/n. The structural analyses reveal that complexes 1 and 2 are constructed by "fish backbone" chains through syn-anti (equatorial-equatorial) carboxylate bridges, which are linked to one another by syn-anti (equatorial-axial) carboxylate bridges, giving rise to a rectangular grid-like two-dimensional net. Complex 3 is formed by alternating chains of syn-anti carboxylate-bridged copper(II) atoms, which are linked together by strong H bonds involving coordinated nitrate ions and water molecules and uncoordinated oxygen atoms from carboxylate groups. The different coordination ability of the anions along with their involvement in the H-bonding network seems to be responsible for the difference in the final polymeric structures. Variable-temperature (2-300 K) magnetic susceptibility measurement shows the presence of weak ferromagnetic coupling for all three complexes that have been fitted with a fish backbone model developed for 1 and 2 (J = 1.74 and 0.99 cm(-1); J' = 0.19 and 0.25 cm(-1), respectively) and an alternating chain model for 3 (J = 1.19 cm(-1) and J' = 1.19 cm(-1)).

Anion directed templated synthesis of mono- and di-Schiff base complexes of Ni(II)

Two sets of Schiff base ligands, set-1 and set-2 have been prepared by mixing the respective diamine (1,2-propanediamine or 1,3-propanediamine) and carbonyl compounds (2-acetylpyridine or pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde) in 1:1 and 1:2 ratios, respectively and employed for the synthesis of complexes with Ni(II) perchlorate and Ni(II) thiocyanate. Ni(II) perchlorate yields the complexes having general formula [NiL2](ClO4)(2) (L = L-1 [N-1-(1-pyridin-2-yl-ethylidine)-propane-1,3-diamine] for complex 1, L-2 [N-1-pyridine-2-ylmethylene-propane1,3-diamine] for complex 2 or L-3 [N-1-(1-pyridine-2-yl-ethylidine)-propane-1,2-diamine] for complex 3) in which the Schiff bases are mono-condensed terdentate whereas Ni(II) thiocyanate results in the formation of tetradentate Schiff base complexes, [NiL](SCN)(2) (L=L-4 [N,N'-bis-(1-pyridine-2-yl-ethylidine)-propane-1,3-diamine] for complex 4, L-5 [NN'-bis(pyridine-2-ylmethyline)-propane-1, 3-diamine] for complex 5 or L-6 [NN'-bis-(1-pyridine-2-yl-ethylidine)-propane- 1, 2-diamine] for complex 6) irrespective of the sets of ligands used. Formation of the complexes has been explained by anion modulation of cation templating effect. All the complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, spectral and electrochemical results. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies confirm the structures of four representative members, 1, 3, 4 and 5; all of them have distorted octahedral geometry around Ni(II). The bis-complexes of terdentate ligands, I and 3 are the mer isomers and the complexes of tetradentate ligands, 4 and 5 possess trans geometry. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Anion-directed template synthesis and hydrolysis of mono-condensed Schiff base of 1,3-pentanediamine and o-hydroxyacetophenone in Ni-II and Cu-II complexes

Bis(o-hydroxyacetophenone)nickel(II) dihydrate, on reaction with 1,3-pentanediamine, yields a bis-chelate complex [NiL2]center dot 2H(2)O (1) of mono-condensed tridentate Schiff base ligand HL {2-[1-(3-aminopentylimino)ethyl]phenol}. The Schiff base has been freed from the complex by precipitating the Nil, as a dimethylglyoximato complex. HL reacts smoothly with Ni(SCN)(2)center dot 4H(2)O furnishing the complex [NiL(NCS)] (2) and with CuCl2 center dot 2H(2)O in the presence of NaN3 or NH4SCN producing [CuL(N-3)](2) (3) or [CuL(NCS)] (4). On the other hand, upon reaction with Cu(ClO4)(2)center dot 6H(2)O and Cu(NO3)(2)center dot 3H(2)O, the Schiff base undergoes hydrolysis to yield ternary complexes [Cu(hap)(pn)(H2O)]ClO4 (5) and [Cu(hap)(pn)(H2O)]NO3 (6), respectively (Hhap = o-hydroxyacetophenone and pn = 1,3-pentanediamine). The ligand HL undergoes hydrolysis also on reaction with Ni(ClO4)(2)center dot 6H(2)O or Ni(NO3)(2)center dot 6H(2)O to yield [Ni(hap)(2)] (7). The structures of the complexes 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7 have been confirmed by single-crystal X-ray analysis. In complex 2, Ni-II possesses square-planar geometry, being coordinated by the tridentate mono-negative Schiff base, L and the isothiocyanate group. The coordination environment around Cu-II in complex 3 is very similar to that in complex 2 but here two units are joined together by end-on, axial-equatorial azide bridges to result in a dimer in which the geometry around Cu-II is square pyramidal. In both 5 and 6, the Cu-II atoms display the square-pyramidal environment; the equatorial sites being coordinated by the two amine groups of 1,3-pentanediamine and two oxygen atoms of o-hydroxyacetophenone. The axial site is coordinated by a water molecule. Complex 7 is a square-planar complex with the Ni atom bonded to four oxygen atoms from two hap moieties. The mononuclear units of 2 and dinuclear units of 3 are linked by strong hydrogen bonds to form a one-dimensional network. The mononuclear units of 5 and 6 are joined together to form a dimer by very strong hydrogen bonds through the coordinated water molecule. These dimers are further involved in hydrogen bonding with the respective counteranions to form 2-D net-like open frameworks. ((C) Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008).

Anion directed template synthesis of Cu(II) complexes of a N,N,O donor mono-condensed Schiff base ligand: A molecular scaffold forming highly ordered H-bonded rectangular grids

Anion directed, template syntheses of two dinuclear copper(II) complexes of mono-condensed Schiff base ligand Hdipn (4-[(3-aminopentylimino)-methyl]-benzene-1,3-diol) involving 2,4- dihydroxybenzaldehyde and 1,3-diaminopentane were realized in the presence of bridging azide and acetate anions. Both complexes, [Cu-2(dipn)(2)(N-3)(2)] (1) and [Cu-2(dip(n))(2)(OAc)(2)] (2) have been characterized by X-ray crystallography. The two mononuclear units are joined together by basal-apical, double end-on azido bridges in complex 1 and by basal-apical, double mono-atomic acetate oxygen-bridges in 2. Both complexes form rectangular grid-like supramolecular structures via H-bonds connecting the azide or acetate anion and the p-hydroxy group of 2,4- dihydroxybenzaldehyde. Variable-temperature (300-2 K) magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal that complex 1 has antiferromagnetic coupling (J = -2.10 cm (1)) through the azide bridge while 2 has intra-dimer ferromagnetic coupling through the acetate bridge and inter-dimer antiferromagnetic coupling through H-bonds (J = 2.85 cm (1), J' = -1.08 cm (1)). (C) 2009 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.

Partial aerial oxidation of nonpolar alcohols over Teflon-modified noble metal catalysts in supercritical carbon dioxide

We have reported earlier that modification of commercial graphite Pt-supported catalysts with Teflon fluorinated polymeric coating of a very strong hydrophobic nature can significantly improve catalytic activity for aerial oxidation of water-insoluble alcohols such as anthracene methanol in supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO(2)). Thus, this paper presents some further characterization of these new catalyst materials and the working fluid phase during the catalysis. Using the same Teflon-modified metal catalysts, this paper addresses the oxidation of another water-insoluble alcohol molecule, m-hydrobenzoin in scCO(2). It is found that conversion and product distribution of this diol oxidation critically depend on the temperature and pressure of the scCO(2) used, which suggest the remarkable solvent properties of the scCO(2) under these unconventional oxidation conditions. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Heterogeneously catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of C = C bonds directed by surface-tethered chiral modifiers

Asymmetric hydrogenation of C=C bonds is of the highest importance in organic synthesis, and such reactions are currently carried out with organometallic homogeneous catalysts. Achieving heterogeneous metal-catalyzed hydrogenation, a highly desirable goal, necessitates forcing the crucial enantiodifferentiating step to take place at the metal surface. By synthesis and application of six chiral sulfide ligands that anchor robustly to Pd nanoparticles and resist displacement, we have for the first time accomplished heterogeneous enantioselective catalytic hydrogenation of isophorone. High resolution XPS data established that ligand adsorption from solution occurred exclusively on the Pd nanoparticles and not on the carbon support. All ligands contained a pyrrolidine nitrogen to enable their interaction with the isophorone substrate while the sulfide functionality provided the required interaction with the Pd surface. Enantioselective turnover numbers of up to similar to 100 product molecules per ligand molecule were found with a very large variation in asymmetric induction between ligands: observed enantiomeric excesses increased with increasing size of the alkyl group in the sulfide. This likely reflects varying degrees of ligand dispersion on the surface: bulky substituent groups hinder close approach of ligand molecules to each other, inhibiting close-packed island formation, favoring dispersion as separate molecules, and leading to effective asymmetric induction. Conversely, small substituents favor island formation leading to very low asymmetric induction. Enantioselective reaction most likely involves initial formation of an enamine or iminium species, confirmed by use of an analogous tertiary amine, which leads to racemic product. Ligand rigidity and resistance to self-assembled monolayer formation are important attributes that should be designed into improved chiral modifiers.

Transition metal-directed self-assembly of calix[4]arene based dithiocarbamate ligands

The transition metal-directed self-assembly of dithiocarbamate ligand functionalised upper and lower rim calix[4]arenes affords novel dimeric bimetallic bis(calix[4]arene) species as determined by a combination of analytical methods including X-ray crystallography. An exception is a zinc(II) dithiocarbamate upper rim calix[4]arene assembly which is monomeric in nature. Electrochemical investigations reveal the bimetallic copper(II) bis(calix[4]arene) systems can electrochemically sense dihydrogen phosphate and carboxylate anions via significant cathodic perturbations of the respective copper(II)/(III) dithiocarbamate oxidation wave.

Micellar catalysis for partial oxidation of toluene to benzoic acid in supercritical CO2: effects of fluorinated surfactants

One of the key hindrances on development of solid catalysts containing cobalt species for partial oxidation of organic molecules at mild conditions in conventional liquid phase is the severe metal leaching. The leached soluble Co species with a higher degree of freedom always out-performs those of solid supported Co species in oxidation catalysis. However, the homogeneous Co species concomitantly introduces separation problems. We have recently reponed for the first time, a new oxidation catalyst system for the oxidation of organic molecules in supercritical CO2 using the principle of micellar catalysis. [CF3(CF2)(8)COO](2)Co.xH(2)O (the fluorinated anionic moiety forms aqueous reverse micelles carrying water-soluble Co2+ cations in scCO(2)) was previously shown to be extremely active for the oxidation of toluene in the presence of sodium bromide in water-CO2 mixture, giving 98% conversion and 99% selectivity to benzoic acid at 120 degreesC. In this study, we show that the effects of varying the type of surfactant counterions and the length of the surfactant chains on catalysis. It is found that the use of [CF3(CF2)(8)COO](2)Mg.yH(2)O/Co(II) acetate is as effective as the [CF3(CF2)(8)COO](2)Co.xH(2)O and the fluorinated chain length used has a subtle effect on the catalytic rate measured. It is also demonstrated that this new type of micellar catalyst in scCO(2) can be easily separated via CO2 depressurisation and be reused without noticeable deactivation. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Pectins and pectic-oligosaccharides inhibit Escherichia coli O157 : H7 Shiga toxin as directed towards the human colonic cell line HT29

Pectins and pectic-oligosaccharides, as derived by controlled enzymatic hydrolysis, were evaluated for their ability to interfere with the toxicity of Shiga-like toxins from Escherichia coli O157:H7. Both types of material resulted in some degree of protection but this was significantly higher (P > 0.01) with the oligosaccharide fractions (giving 90-100% cell survival, compared to 70-80% with the polymer). An effect of methylation on the protective effect was detected with lower degrees being more active. The pectic-oligosaccharides and galabiose, the minimum toxin receptor analogue, were shown to inhibit toxicity and were both protective at 10 mg ml(-1), but not at lower concentrations. (C) 2002 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Antipsychotic drug action: antagonism, inverse agonism or partial agonism

The positive, psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia can be treated by antipsychotic drugs and it has been assumed that these are antagonists at the D-2 and D-3 dopamine receptors in the brain. Recently, the D-2/D-3 partial agonist aripiprazole has been introduced as an antipsychotic drug. It has also been realized that, using in vitro assays, the other antipsychotic drugs are in fact inverse agonists at D-2/D-3 dopamine receptors. This raises questions about how these disparate drugs can achieve a similar clinical outcome. In this review, I shall consider the efficacies of these drugs in signalling assays and how these efficacies might affect treatment outcomes. It seems that the treatment outcome might depend on the overall level of cell stimulation, which is in turn dependent on the level of residual dopamine and the efficacy of the drug in signalling assays.

Assays for enhanced activity of low efficacy partial agonists at the D-2 dopamine receptor

Background and purpose: Low efficacy partial agonists at the D-2 dopamine receptor may be useful for treating schizophrenia. In this report we describe a method for assessing the efficacy of these compounds based on stimulation of [S-35]GTP gamma S binding. Experimental approach: Agonist efficacy was assessed from [S-35]GTP gamma S binding to membranes of CHO cells expressing D2 dopamine receptors in buffers with and without Na+. Effects of Na+ on receptor/G protein coupling were assessed using agonist/[H-3] spiperone competition binding assays. Key results: When [S-35]GTP gamma S binding assays were performed in buffers containing Na+, some agonists (aripiprazole, AJ-76, UH-232) exhibited very low efficacy whereas other agonists exhibited measurable efficacy. When Na+ was substituted by N-methyl D-glucamine, the efficacy of all agonists increased (relative to that of dopamine) but particularly for aripiprazole, aplindore, AJ-76, (-)-3-PPP and UH-232. In ligand binding assays, substitution of Na+ by N-methyl D-glucamine increased receptor/G protein coupling for some agonists -. aplindore, dopamine and (-)-3-PPP-but for aripiprazole, AJ-76 and UH-232 there was little effect on receptor/G protein coupling. Conclusions and implications: Substitution of Na+ by NMDG increases sensitivity in [S-35] GTPgS binding assays so that very low efficacy agonists were detected clearly. For some agonists the effect seems to be mediated via enhanced receptor/G protein coupling whereas for others the effect is mediated at another point in the G protein activation cycle. AJ-76, aripiprazole and UH-232 seem particularly sensitive to this change in assay conditions. This work provides a new method to discover these very low efficacy agonists.

New prodrugs derived from 6-aminodopamine and 4-aminophenol as candidates for melanocyte-directed enzyme prodrug therapy (MDEPT)

Two novel tyrosinase mediated drug delivery pathways have been investigated for the selective delivery of cytotoxic units to melanocytes from urea and thiourea prodrugs. The synthesis of these prodrugs is reported, as well as oximetry data that illustrate that the targets are substrates for tyrosinase. The stability of each of the prodrugs in (i) phosphate buffer and (ii) bovine serum is discussed, and the urea prodrugs are identified as lead candidates for further studies. Finally, HPLC studies and preliminary cytotoxicity studies in a melanotic and an amelanotic cell line, that illustrate the feasibility of the approach, are presented.

Talent in autism: hyper-systemising, hyper-attention to detail and sensory hypersensitivity

We argue that hyper-systemizing predisposes individuals to show talent, and review evidence that hyper-systemizing is part of the cognitive style of people with autism spectrum conditions (ASC). We then clarify the hyper-systemizing theory, contrasting it to the weak central coherence (WCC) and executive dysfunction (ED) theories. The ED theory has difficulty explaining the existence of talent in ASC. While both hyper-systemizing and WCC theories postulate excellent attention to detail, by itself excellent attention to detail will not produce talent. By contrast, the hyper-systemizing theory argues that the excellent attention to detail is directed towards detecting 'if p, then q' rules (or [input-operation-output] reasoning). Such law-based pattern recognition systems can produce talent in systemizable domains. Finally, we argue that the excellent attention to detail in ASC is itself a consequence of sensory hypersensitivity. We review an experiment from our laboratory demonstrating sensory hypersensitivity detection thresholds in vision. We conclude that the origins of the association between autism and talent begin at the sensory level, include excellent attention to detail and end with hyper-systemizing.