Dibakar Goswami

Photophysical and theoretical investigations on fullerene/phthalocyanine supramolecular complexes.

The present paper reports the photophysical aspects of a very interesting and unique host-guest interaction between fullerene and phthalocyanines, viz., free base phthalocyanine (H2-Pc) and zinc-phthalocyanine (Zn-Pc), in toluene medium. Ground state electronic interaction between these two supramolecules has been evidenced from the observation of well-defined charge transfer (CT) absorption bands in the visible region. Vertical ionization potentials of the phthalocyanines have been determined utilizing CT transition energy. Magnitude of degrees of CT reveals that, in the ground state, 2-4% CT takes place. Binding constants (K) for the fullerene/phthalocyanine complexes were determined from the fluorescence quenching experiment. Large K values in the ranges approximately 4.7 x 10(4) to 7.3 x 10(4) and 2.3 x 10(4) to 2.5 x 10(4) dm(3) x mol(-1) were obtained for the 1:1 fullerene complexes of Zn and H 2-Pc, respectively. Values of K suggest that both H 2- and Zn-Pc could not serve as an efficient discriminators between C60 and C70. Theoretical calculations as well as (13)C NMR studies establish that the orientation of C 70 toward phthalocyanine is favored in end-on orientation, which proves that interaction between fullerenes and phthalocyanines were governed by the electrostatic mechanism rather than dispersive forces associated with pi-pi interaction.

[bmim][Br] as a Solvent and Activator for the Ga-Mediated Barbier Allylation: Direct Formation of an N-Heterocyclic Carbene from Ga Metal

The room-temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) [bmim][Br] has been found to be an excellent green and inexpensive medium for the Ga-mediated allylation of aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes and ketones. The RTIL activated the metal via formation of a Ga-N-heterocyclic carbene complex that assisted in the completion of the reaction at ambient temperature with only 0.5 equiv of Ga and 1.2 equiv of allyl bromide with respect to the carbonyl substrates. The present protocol required a much shorter time than those reported in the literature using other metals and solvents and proceeded with good yields and excellent selectivity.

Cell Penetrating Peptide (CPP)-Conjugated Desferrioxamine for Enhanced Neuroprotection: Synthesis and in Vitro Evaluation

Iron overload causes progressive and sometimes irreversible damage due to accelerated production of reactive oxygen species. Desferrioxamine (DFO), a siderophore, has been used clinically to remove excess iron. However, the applications of DFO are limited because of its inability to access intracellular labile iron. Cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) have become an efficient delivery vector for the enhanced internalization of drugs into the cytosol. We describe, herein, an efficient method for covalently conjugating DFO to the CPPs TAT(47-57) and Penetratin. Both conjugates suppressed the redox activity of labile plasma iron in buffered solutions and in iron-overloaded sera. Enhanced access to intracellular labile iron compared to the parent siderophore was achieved in HeLa and RBE4 (a model of blood-brain-barrier) cell lines. Iron complexes of both conjugates also had better permeability in both cell models. DFO antioxidant and iron binding properties were preserved and its bioavailability was increased upon CPP conjugation, which opens new therapeutic possibilities for neurodegenerative processes associated with brain iron overload.

Spectroscopic and Theoretical Insights into the Origin of Fullerene−Calix[4]pyrrole Interaction

The present paper reports, for the first time, supramolecular interaction of meso-octamethyl calix[4]pyrrole (1) with fullerenes C(60) and C(70) in solutions having varying polarity (e.g., toluene, 1,2-dichlorobenzene and benzonitrile and chloroform). The interaction is facilitated through charge transfer (CT) transition as evidenced from well-defined CT absorption bands in the visible region of absorption spectroscopy. Utilizing the CT transition energy for the complexes of 1 with various electron acceptors, we have determined the ionization potential of 1. Estimation of degrees of CT, oscillator, and transition dipole strengths suggest that the complexes are almost of neutral character in ground state. Higher magnitude of electronic coupling element value for the C(70)-1 complex compared to C(60)-1 indicates strong binding between C(70) and 1. Binding constants (K) of the fullerene-1 complexes have been determined from UV-vis investigations, which indicate high selectivity of 1 toward C(70). Extraordinary large K value of the C(70)-1 complex in chloroform medium (K approximately 1.43 x 10(6) dm(3) x mol(-1)) establishes that a polar environment facilitates such interaction. Both proton NMR and liquid IR studies provide very good support in favor of strong binding between C(70) and 1. (13)C NMR study proves that C(70) binds 1 with its equatorial belt, which substantiates the role of pi-pi interaction behind such strong interaction (i.e., high K value). Semiempirical theoretical calculations at the third parametric level (PM3) explore the stability difference between C(60)- and C(70)-1 complexes. PM3 calculations also reveal that approach of C(70) toward 1 is directed in side-on manner rather than in a conventional end-on alignment.

Mitochondria-penetrating peptides conjugated to desferrioxamine as chelators for mitochondrial labile iron

Desferrioxamine (DFO) is a bacterial siderophore with a high affinity for iron, but low cell penetration. As part of our ongoing project focused on DFO-conjugates, we synthesized, purified, characterized and studied new mtDFOs (DFO conjugated to the Mitochondria Penetrating Peptides TAT49-57, 1A, SS02 and SS20) using a succinic linker. These new conjugates retained their strong iron binding ability and antioxidant capacity. They were relatively non toxic to A2780 cells (IC50 40–100 μM) and had good mitochondrial localization (Rr +0.45 –+0.68) as observed when labeled with carboxy-tetramethylrhodamine (TAMRA) In general, mtDFO caused only modest levels of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage. DFO-SS02 retained the antioxidant ability of the parent peptide, shown by the inhibition of mitochondrial superoxide formation. None of the compounds displayed cell cycle arrest or enhanced apoptosis. Taken together, these results indicate that mtDFO could be promising compounds for amelioration of the disease symptoms of iron overload in mitochondria.

Zinc ion–tetraphenylporphyrin interactions in the ground and excited states

In the present article, tetraphenylporphyrin a new ratiometric fluorescence sensitizer for zinc ion has been proposed. Electronic absorption, emission and (1)H NMR spectral characteristics of meso-tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP) have been studied in acetonitrile medium in the presence of zinc perchlorate. Absorption spectral studies indicate the formation of a new complex between zinc ion and the porphyrin moiety in the ground state as distinguished from the characteristics of metalo(zinc) porphyrin compound. The energy of maximum fluorescence of porphyrin shifts towards blue with the addition of Zn(ClO(4))(2). Steady state emission studies point to the existence of two emitting species viz, the solvated and the complexed porphyrin in equilibrium. The fluorescence emission of tetraphenylporphyrin at 651-nm bands decreases while that at 605 nm increases upon zinc ion interaction in acetonitrile. Thus, the TPP can behave as a ratiometric fluorescent sensor. This fluorescence modulation of TPP should be applicable to dual-wavelength measurement of various biomolecules or enzyme activities. (1)H NMR spectra of the porphyrin suffered a radical change with the addition of zinc perchlorate which points to the formation of a new porphyrin complex. This change is due to the difference in the electron-donating ability of the pyrrolic nitrogens before and after complexation with Zn(2+). The values of equilibrium constant for the binding process have been determined in acetone and acetonitrile, in both ground and excited states.

Syntheses and evaluation of 68Ga- and 153Sm-labeled DOTA-conjugated bisphosphonate ligand for potential use in detection of skeletal metastases and management of pain arising from skeletal metastases

This article reports the syntheses and evaluation of 68Ga‐ and 153Sm‐complexes of a new DOTA (1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane‐1,4,7,10‐tetraacetic acid)‐conjugated geminal bisphosphonate, DOTA‐Bn‐SCN‐BP, for their potential uses in the early detection of skeletal metastases by imaging and palliation of pain arising from skeletal metastases, respectively. The conjugate was synthesized in high purity following an easily adaptable three‐step reaction scheme. Gallium‐68‐ and 153Sm‐complexes were prepared in high yield (>98%) and showed excellent in vitro stability in phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS) and human serum. Both the complexes showed high affinity for hydroxyapatite particles in in vitro binding study. In biodistribution studies carried out in normal Wistar rats, both the complexes exhibited rapid skeletal accumulation with almost no retention in any other major organ. The newly synthesized molecule DOTA‐Bn‐SCN‐BP would therefore be a promising targeting ligand for the development of radiopharmaceuticals for both imaging skeletal metastases and palliation of pain arising out of it in patients with cancer when radiolabeled with 68Ga and 153Sm, respectively. A systematic comparative evaluation, however, showed that there was no significant improvement of skeletal accumulation of the 153Sm‐DOTA‐Bn‐SCN‐BP complex over 153Sm‐DOTMP (1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane‐1,4,7,10‐tetramethylenephosphonic acid) as the later itself demonstrated optimal properties required for an agent for bone pain palliation.

Bi-mediated allylation of aldehydes in [bmim][Br]: a mechanistic investigation

The inexpensive room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL), [bmim][Br] has been found to be a superior medium for the Bi-mediated Barbier-type allylation of aldehydes compared to other conventional solvents. It plays the dual role of a solvent and a metal activator enabling higher yields of the products in a shorter reaction time using stoichiometric/near-stoichiometric amounts of reagents. Plausibly, [bmim][Br] activates Bi metal by a charge transfer mechanism. The 1H VT-NMR studies suggested that both the allylating species, allylbismuth dibromide and diallylbismuth bromide, are generated in situ.