Jürgen Liebscher

Structure of Polydopamine: A Never-Ending Story?

Polydopamine (PDA) formed by the oxidation of dopamine is an important polymer, in particular, for coating various surfaces. It is composed of dihydroxyindole, indoledione, and dopamine units, which are assumed to be covalently linked. Although PDA has been applied in a manifold way, its structure is still under discussion. Similarities have been observed in melanins/eumelanins as naturally occurring, deeply colored polymer pigments derived from L-DOPA. Recently, an alternative structure was proposed for PDA wherein dihydroxyindoline, indolinedione, and eventually dopamine units are not covalently linked to each other but are held together by hydrogen bonding between oxygen atoms or π stacking. In this study, we show that this structural proposal is very unlikely to occur taking into account unambiguous results obtained by different analytical methods, among them (13)C CPPI MAS NMR (cross-polarization polarization-inversion magic angle spinning NMR), (1)H MAS NMR (magic angle spinning NMR), and ES-HRMS (electrospray ionization high-resolution mass spectrometry) for the first time in addition to XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) and FTIR spectroscopy. The results give rise to a verified structural assignment of PDA wherein dihydroxyindole and indoledione units with different degrees of (un)saturation are covalently linked by C-C bonds between their benzene rings. Furthermore, proof of open-chain (dopamine) monomer units in PDA is provided. Advanced DFT calculations imply the arrangements of several PDA chains preferably by quinone-hydroquinone-type interactions in a parallel or antiparallel manner. From all of these results, a number of hypotheses published before could be experimentally supported or were found to be contradictory, thus leading to a better understanding of the PDA structure.

Magnetic nanoparticle-supported organocatalysts – an efficient way of recycling and reuse

Recycling of organocatalysts is an important aspect in green chemistry. Several techniques have been applied to address this issue ranging from traditional separation techniques (extraction, chromatography) to immobilization on solid supports. Magnetic separation, i.e. attraction of the catalyst by an external magnet and decantation of the supernatant appeared as a new way for separation of organocatalysts omitting problems connected to filtration when solid supported catalysts are used. In this publication, the state of the art of magnetic nanoparticle-supported organocatalysts is reviewed demonstrating a wide range of applications but at the same time hitherto unaddressed fields awaiting future exploration are discussed.

Synthesis of optically active spiro-β-lactams by cycloadditions to α-alkylidene-β-lactams

Abstract New optically active α-methylene-β-lactam 18 and the α-ethylidene-β-lactams 11-E and 11-Z were synthesized and submitted to 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions with diazomethane, 4-methoxybenzonitrile oxide, and diphenylnitrone as well as to epoxidation by dimethyldioxirane. All cycloadditions proceed with complete regioselectivity giving products 20 – 25 in an anti-fashion with respect to the substituent at the C-4-position of the starting β-lactam in diastereomeric ratios of about 80:20. Pure optically active compounds could be obtained in almost all cases after chromatography. Unambiguous structure elucidation could be achieved by X-ray crystal analysis and NOE investigations.

Optically active nitroalkenes: synthesis, addition reactions and transformation into amino acids

Optically active nitroalkenes 4 were synthesized via Henry reaction. Conjugate addition of vinylmagnesium bromide to 4 gave nitroalkane syn-5 while cyclopropanation with sulfur ylides or dibromocarbene afforded nitrocyclopropanes 8, 10 and 11 in a diastereoselective manner. These products were used to synthesize optically active β-amino acids 7 and 16 as well as cyclopropane γ-amino acids 19 and 20 by reduction of the nitro group and oxidative cleavage of the dioxolane substituent.

Polydopamine—An Organocatalyst Rather than an Innocent Polymer

Polydopamine (PDA) is easily available by oxidation of dopamine and is widely used for persistent coatings of various materials. It is hitherto considered to be inert in many interesting biomedical and other applications. Results presented here, reveal an unexpected behavior of polydopamine as an organocatalyst in direct aldol reactions under mild conditions. Evidence was found for dual catalysis making use of amino and phenolic hydroxy groups found in PDA. Thus scientists must be aware that PDA is not an innocent polymer and can cause unwanted side effects in important applications, such as in biomedicine or as supports in catalysis.

Controlled Assembly of Vesicle‐Based Nanocontainers on Layer‐by‐Layer Particles via DNA Hybridization

Layer-by-layer (LbL) particles represent versatile microstructures for numerous applications such as encapsulation and controlled release of proteins, sensors for biomolecules, and chemical reactors on a micrometer scale. Advantages of these structures are the simple functionalization of the capsule wall, high stability, large size range (from 100 nm to 15mm), monodispersity, tunable permeability, and biodegradability. Successful incorporation of various polymers, and even intact lipid vesicles, into LbL assemblies have been demonstrated. LbL particles carrying nanocontainers with reactants to be released on demand would offer novel attractive applications. LbL particles coated with different types of vesicles containing specific reactants could be used to generate microenvironments, in which distinct reactions at a specific time and place could be triggered.

Reaction of N-acylthioureas with electrophilic reagents: synthesis of 1,3,5-oxadiazinium salts, 1,3,5-thiadiazinium salts, 1,2,4-dithiazolium salts and benzothiazoles

Abstract N-Acylthioureas 1 can be easily transformed into 2,4-diamino-6-aryl-1,3,5-oxadiazinium salts 12, 2,4-diamino-6-aryl-1,3,5-thiadiazinium salts 13,3-amino-5-aryl-1,2,4-dithiazolium salts 19 and 2-acylimino-benzothiazolines 22, respectively by reaction with different electrophiles. The structure of the compounds prepared is confirmed by analytical data as well as by chemical transformations.

The Novel Calcineurin Inhibitor CN585 Has Potent Immunosuppressive Properties in Stimulated Human T Cells

The Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase calcineurin is a key mediator in antigen-specific T cell activation. Thus, inhibitors of calcineurin, such as cyclosporin A or FK506, can block T cell activation and are used as immunosuppressive drugs to prevent graft-versus-host reactions and autoimmune diseases. In this study we describe the identification of 2,6- diaryl-substituted pyrimidine derivatives as a new class of calcineurin inhibitors, obtained by screening of a substance library. By rational design of the parent compound we have attained the derivative 6-(3,4-dichloro-phenyl)-4-(N,N-dimethylaminoethylthio)-2-phenyl-pyrimidine (CN585) that noncompetitively and reversibly inhibits calcineurin activity with a Ki value of 3.8 μm. This derivative specifically inhibits calcineurin without affecting other Ser/Thr protein phosphatases or peptidyl prolyl cis/trans isomerases. CN585 shows potent immunosuppressive effects by inhibiting NFAT nuclear translocation and transactivation, cytokine production, and T cell proliferation. Moreover, the calcineurin inhibitor exhibits no cytotoxicity in the effective concentration range. Therefore, calcineurin inhibition by CN585 may represent a novel promising strategy for immune intervention.

Prevention of H-Aggregates Formation in Cy5 Labeled Macromolecules

H-aggregates of the cyanine dye Cy5 are formed during covalent linkage to the cationic macromolecule Poly(allylamine) (PAH). The nonfluorescent H-aggregates strongly restrict the usage of the dye for analytical purposes and prevent a quantitative determination of the labeled macromolecules. The behavior of the H-aggregates has been studied by investigation of the absorption and fluorescence spectra of the dye polymer in dependence on solvent, label degree and additional sulfonate groups. H-aggregate formation is caused by an inhomogeneous distribution of the Cy5 molecules on the polymer chain. The H-aggregates can be destroyed by conformational changes of the PAH induced by interactions with polyanions or in organic solvents. It has been found that the polymer labeling process in high content of organic solvents can prevent the formation of H-aggregates. The results offer a better understanding and improvement of the use of the Cy5 dye for labeling purposes in fluorescence detection of macromolecules.

THE CHEMISTRY OF 3-AMINOTHIOACRYLAMIDES; PART II: 3-AMINOTHIOACRYLAMIDES AS USEFUL SYNTHONS IN ORGANIC SYNTHESIS

Abstract 3-Aminothioacrylamides are a class of organic sulfur containing compounds that are easily available and exhibit polyfunctional reaction behaviour. They can be used widely in the synthesis of a variety of heterocyclic and open chain compounds. The synthetic utility of 3-aminothioacrylamides can be further extended if additional functionalities are incorporated.