Jan Lang

A Proton Complex of p-tert-Butylcalix[4]arene-tetrakis(N,N-dimethylthioacetamide): NMR Evidence and Probable Structure

Using 1H and 13C NMR together with density functional theoretical (DFT) calculations, it is shown that p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene-tetrakis(N,N-dimethylthioacetamide) (1) forms a stable equimolecular complex with proton in the form of hydroxonium ion in nitrobenzene-d 5. Protons were offered by hydrogen bis(1,2-dicarbollyl) cobaltate (HDCC) and converted to hydroxonium ions by traces of water. The complex 1·H3O+ adopts a slightly asymmetric but rapidly motionally averaged conformation, which is distinctly more cone-like than ligand 1. The hydroxonium ion H3O+ is bound partly to thiocarbonyl sulphur atoms and partly to phenoxy oxygen atoms of 1 by strong hydrogen bonds and other electrostatic interactions.

Conformational flexibility of a novel tetraethylether of thiacalix[4]arene. A comparison with the “classical” methylene-bridged compounds

Abstract Conformational analysis of a novel tetraethylether of thiacalix[4]arene by means of NMR spectroscopy is presented. Equilibrium between three dominant conformers paco, 1,3-alt and cone exists in CDCl3 solution at room temperature. Observed chemical exchange between conformers indicates higher internal flexibility of the title compound in comparison with similar methylene bridged analogues of tetraethylethers of calix[4]arene and p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene. The cone conformer experiences additional internal motions.

D-retrovirus morphogenetic switch driven by the targeting signal accessibility to Tctex-1 of dynein.

Despite extensive data demonstrating that immature retroviral particle assembly can take place either at the plasma membrane or at a distinct location within the cytoplasm, targeting of viral precursor proteins to either assembly site still remains poorly understood. Biochemical data presented here suggest that Tctex-1, a light chain of the molecular motor dynein, is involved in the intracellular targeting of Mason–Pfizer monkey virus (M-PMV) polyproteins to the cytoplasmic assembly site. Comparison of the three-dimensional structures of M-PMV wild-type matrix protein (wt MA) with a single amino acid mutant (R55F), which redirects assembly from a cytoplasmic site to the plasma membrane, revealed different mutual orientations of their C- and N-terminal domains. This conformational change buries a putative intracellular targeting motif located between both domains in the hydrophobic pocket of the MA molecule, thereby preventing the interaction with cellular transport mechanisms.

NMR and X-ray analysis of 25,27-dimethoxythiacalix[4]arene: unique infinite channels in the solid state

Abstract The conformational behaviour of 25,27-dimethoxythiacalix[4]arene was studied using NMR techniques and X-ray analysis. The title compound prefers a cone conformation in solution, while in the solid state it adopts a unique 1,2-alternate conformation thus creating a novel type of molecular channel held together by π–π interactions.

Conformational behaviour of tetramethoxythiacalix[4]arenes: solution versus solid-state study

The conformational behaviour of simple thiacalix[4]arene derivatives was studied using a combination of NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. The 25,26,27,28-tetramethoxythiacalix[4]arene was found to adopt an unprecedented solid-state structure, where the cone and 1,3-alternate conformers co-exist in the crystal lattice in the 3:1 ratio. This phenomenon reflects the basically distinct conformational behaviour of thiacalix[4]arene skeleton as compared with classical calixarenes.

Dynamics of circular hydrogen bond array in calix[4]arene in a nonpolar solvent: A nuclear magnetic resonance study

Hydroxyl groups on the lower rim of calix[4]arene form a circular array of four equivalent hydrogen bonds. The rate constants of reversal of the array in the temperature range of 221-304 K were determined by means of the NMR measurements of quaternary (13)C nuclear spin transverse relaxation dependence on the effective radio frequency field. The flip-flop rate constants are in the range of 1.4 x 10(2)-4.2 x 10(4) s(-1), the activation enthalpy is 36.8 kJ/mol, the activation entropy is -36 J mol(-1) K(-1). This process was found uncorrelated with conformational transition cone-inverted cone, which is about thousand times slower. Molecular tumbling of calix[4]arene measured using (13)C spin relaxation was found isotropic with correlation times lying in the range of 0.1-3 ns and with the activation energy of 21 kJ/mol. In order to assess relaxation of (13)C aromatic nuclei, their principal components of chemical shift tensor were calculated using the density functional theory approach.

Nanoscaled porphyrinic metal–organic frameworks: photosensitizer delivery systems for photodynamic therapy

The photocytotoxic activity of porphyrin-containing materials including metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) has attracted ever increasing interest. We have developed a simple synthesis of hexagonal PCN-222/MOF-545 nanoparticles, which are powerful in inducing reactive oxygen species-mediated apoptosis of cancer cells upon visible light irradiation. The extent of the cytotoxic effect well correlates with the nanoparticle size and structural instability. High phototoxicity of the presented nanoparticles and their deactivation within several hours open up the door to possible applications in cancer therapy.

Inclusion of Chloromethane Guests Affects Conformation and Internal Dynamics of Cryptophane-D Host

Cryptophane-D is composed of two nonequivalent cyclotribenzylene caps bound together by three OCH2CH2O bridges in a syn arrangement. Host-guest complexes with chloroform and dichloromethane were investigated in solution by NMR spectroscopy. Variable temperature NMR (1)H and (13)C spectra showed effects of chemical exchange between the free and bound guest and of conformational exchange for the host, strongly and specifically affected by guest binding. We found in particular that the carbon-13 chemical shifts for the linkers connecting the two cyclotribenzylene units are very informative. The NMR results were supported by DFT calculations. The guest exchange was also studied quantitatively, either by EXSY measurements (for chloroform as guest) or by line-shape analysis (for dichloromethane as guest). In the case of chloroform guest, we also investigated cross-relaxation between the guest and host protons, as well as carbon-13 longitudinal relaxation and heteronuclear NOE at three different fields. The results were interpreted in terms of orientation and dynamics of the guest inside the host cavity. Putting together various types of evidence resulted in remarkably detailed insight into the process of molecular recognition of the two guests by cryptophane-D host.

Flip–flop Motion of Circular Hydrogen Bond Array in Thiacalix[4]arene

Thiacalix[4]arene contains a circular array of four equivalent hydrogen bonds on its lower rim. The array undergoes a flip–flop motion between two possible directions. The rate of this motion in the temperature range 223–313 K is assessed by means of measurements of the nuclear spin relaxation. The values of the activation enthalpy (38.7 kJ mol− 1) and of the activation entropy ( − 15 J mol− 1 K− 1) were determined. In addition, correlation times of molecular tumbling have been determined in the same temperature range. The measured properties of thiacalix[4]arene are compared to those of the “classical” calix[4]arene in order to utilize them for fine tuning of the building blocks in supramolecular chemistry.

Spectroscopic investigation of nickel cation binding with adenine mononucleotides: stability and structure of the 1:2 complex with adenosine 5′-monophosphate

Abstract The interaction of Ni(II) ions with adenine mononucleotides (5′-AMP, 3′-AMP, 2′-AMP, 2′,3′-cAMP, 3′,5′-cAMP) was studied in aqueous solution using Raman spectroscopy and 13C and 31P NMR paramagnetic relaxation measurements. Macrochelate structures were observed to form for all non-cyclic AMPs, with increasing stability in the series: 3′-AMP < 2′-AMP < 5′-AMP. N7 of adenine was found to be the key site of the Ni(II)-adenine interaction for all non-cyclic AMPs. For 2′-AMP, an alternative binding to the pyrimidine ring may also exist. The dependence of Raman spectra on AMP and Ni(II) concentration confirmed the existence of a stable 1 : 2 Ni(II)-(5′-AMP) complex, besides the 1 : 1 complexes. In this complex, the adenine moieties of both 5′-AMP molecules are situated close to Ni(II), and their relative orientations with respect to the cation are very similar. The paramagnetic relaxation enhancements of the carbons indicate that the nickel ion is not located in the plane of the adenine units, but that the line connecting Ni(II) and N7 deviates strongly from the adenine planes. Phosphates are outer-sphere coordinated by the cation. Findings from both methods have led us to propose possible global architectures of the complex.