Jennifer R. Hiscock

1,3-diindolylureas and 1,3-diindolylthioureas: anion complexation studies in solution and the solid state.

1,3-Diindolylureas and thioureas have been synthesised and their anion complexation properties in solution studied. Whilst diindolylthioureas showed only moderate affinities and selectivities, diindolylureas show remarkably high affinity for dihydrogen phosphate in solution for an acyclic, neutral receptor in water/[D(6)]DMSO mixtures. These easy-to-make compounds adopt relatively planar conformations in the solid-state and are able to donate four hydrogen bonds and yet not fill the coordination sphere of carbonate or phosphate, allowing two or three receptors to bind to each anion in the solid-state.

1,3-Diindolylureas: high affinity dihydrogen phosphate receptors

Neutral 1,3-di(1H-indol-7-yl)ureas are selective dihydrogen phosphate receptors in polar solvent mixtures (DMSO-d(6)-25% water).

Anion-Anion Proton Transfer in Hydrogen Bonded Complexes

Complexation of dihydrogen phosphate by an anion receptor containing six hydrogen bond donor groups has been shown to reduce the pK(a) of the bound anionic species to such an extent that addition of further aliquots of dihydrogen phosphate result in deprotonation of the bound species with the resultant formation of a monohydrogen phosphate receptor complex. X-ray crystallographic studies confirm monohydrogen phosphate complex formation in the solid state. In this way, this study explains the formation of complexes with unusual stoichiometries when investigating the binding of dihydrogenphosphate anion to hydrogen-bonding receptors.

Acyclic indole and carbazole-based sulfate receptors

The anion complexation properties of a series of acyclic receptors consisting of diindolylurea groups appended with amide, amidoindole or amidocarbazole groups have been studied. The receptors selectively bind and encapsulate sulfate via either six or eight hydrogen bonds. Receptors containing eight hydrogen bond donors perturb the pKa of bound dihydrogen phosphate and bicarbonate to the extent that they are deprotonated by free anion in solution.

Fluorescent carbazolylurea anion receptors

A series of fluorescent carbazolylurea base anion receptors have been synthesised that show a high affinity for oxo-anions (particularly bicarbonate and acetate). The fluorescence of dicarbazolylurea (1) is quenched upon addition of benzoate anions in DMSO-0.5% water.

Towards predictable transmembrane transport: QSAR analysis of anion binding and transport

The transport of anions across biological membranes by small molecules is a growing research field due to the potential therapeutic benefits of these compounds. However, little is known about the exact mechanism by which these drug-like molecules work and which molecular features make a good transporter. An extended series of 1-hexyl-3-phenylthioureas were synthesized, fully characterized (NMR, mass spectrometry, IR and single crystal diffraction) and their anion binding and anion transport properties were assessed using 1H NMR titration techniques and a variety of vesicle-based experiments. Quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) analysis revealed that the anion binding abilities of the mono-thioureas are dominated by the (hydrogen bond) acidity of the thiourea NH function. Furthermore, mathematical models show that the experimental transmembrane anion transport ability is mainly dependent on the lipophilicity of the transporter (partitioning into the membrane), but smaller contributions of molecular size (diffusion) and hydrogen bond acidity (anion binding) were also present. Finally, we provide the first step towards predictable anion transport by employing the QSAR equations to estimate the transmembrane transport ability of four new compounds.

Tunable transmembrane chloride transport by bis-indolylureas

A series of bis-indolylureas have been found to mediate chloride transport across vesicle bilayers. The anion transport activity of these receptors may be readily modulated by small structural changes to the receptor scaffold as shown by the combination of experimental chloride efflux studies and molecular dynamics simulations in water and POPC bilayers.

A synthetic ion transporter that disrupts autophagy and induces apoptosis by perturbing cellular chloride concentrations

Perturbations in cellular chloride concentrations can affect cellular pH and autophagy and lead to the onset of apoptosis. With this in mind, synthetic ion transporters have been used to disturb cellular ion homeostasis and thereby induce cell death; however, it is not clear whether synthetic ion transporters can also be used to disrupt autophagy. Here, we show that squaramide-based ion transporters enhance the transport of chloride anions in liposomal models and promote sodium chloride influx into the cytosol. Liposomal and cellular transport activity of the squaramides is shown to correlate with cell death activity, which is attributed to caspase-dependent apoptosis. One ion transporter was also shown to cause additional changes in lysosomal pH, which leads to impairment of lysosomal enzyme activity and disruption of autophagic processes. This disruption is independent of the initiation of apoptosis by the ion transporter. This study provides the first experimental evidence that synthetic ion transporters can disrupt both autophagy and induce apoptosis.

Detection of nerve agent via perturbation of supramolecular gel formation

The formation of tren-based tris-urea supramolecular gels in organic solvents is perturbed by the presence of the nerve agent soman providing a new method of sensing the presence of organophosphorus warfare agents.

Neutral 1,3-Diindolylureas for Nerve Agent Remediation

Efficient neutralization of nerve?agent simulants by 1,3?diindolylureas in a neutral medium was investigated (see scheme; DCP=diethylchlorophosphate, DCNP=diethylcyanophosphonate). The rate of hydrolysis of the simulants was found to increase by as much as 45?% in the presence of these compounds. A mechanism based on the simulant complexation was established.