Marco Wenzel

Structure–Activity Relationships in Tripodal Transmembrane Anion Transporters: The Effect of Fluorination

A series of easy-to-make fluorinated tripodal anion transporters containing urea and thiourea groups have been prepared and their anion transport properties studied. Vesicle anion transport assays using ion-selective electrodes show that this class of compound is capable of transporting chloride through a lipid bilayer via a variety of mechanisms, including chloride/H+ cotransport and chloride/nitrate, chloride/bicarbonate, and to a lesser extent an unusual chloride/sulfate antiport process. Calculations indicate that increasing the degree of fluorination of the tripodal transmembrane transporters increases the lipophilicity of the transporter and this is shown to be the major contributing factor in the superior transport activity of the fluorinated compounds, with a maximum transport rate achieved for clog P = 8. The most active transporter 5 contained a urea functionality appended with a 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl group and was able to mediate transmembrane chloride transport at receptor to lipid ratios as low as 1:250000. Proton NMR titration and single crystal X-ray diffraction revealed the ability of the tripodal receptors to bind different anions with varying affinities in a 1:1 or 2:1 stoichiometry in solution and in the solid state. We also provide evidence that the most potent anion transporters are able to induce apoptosis in human cancer cells by using a selection of in vitro viability and fluorescence assays.

Synthetic transporters for sulfate: a new method for the direct detection of lipid bilayer sulfate transport

The transmembrane transport of anions by small synthetic molecules is a growing field in supramolecular chemistry and has focussed mainly on the transmembrane transport of chloride. On the other hand, the transport of the highly hydrophilic sulfate anion across lipid bilayers is much less developed, even though the inability to transport sulfate across cellular membranes has been linked to a variety of genetic diseases. Tris-thioureas possess high sulfate affinities and have been shown to be excellent chloride and bicarbonate transporters. Herein we report the sulfate transport abilities of a series of tris-ureas and tris-thioureas based on a tris(2-aminoethyl)amine or cyclopeptide scaffold. We have developed a new technique based on 33S NMR that can be used to monitor sulfate transport, using 33S-labelled sulfate and paramagnetic agents such as Mn2+ and Fe3+ to discriminate between intra- and extravesicular sulfate. Reasonable sulfate transport abilities were found for the reported tris-ureas and tris-thioureas, providing a starting point for the development of more powerful synthetic sulfate transporters that can be used in the treatment of certain channelopathies or as a model for biological sulfate transporters.

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.

Towards “drug-like” indole-based transmembrane anion transporters

A series of mono-ureas and mono-thioureas, some incorporating a trifluoromethyl group, have been synthesised and their ability to facilitate ion transport assessed using a combination of ion selective electrode and fluorescence techniques. Chloride/nitrate and chloride/bicarbonate antiport and HCl symport processes were examined using phospholipid vesicles as a model system. In general, the trifluoromethyl functionalised receptors showed greater transport activity than unfluorinated analogous systems, corresponding with increased clogP. The most active transporter facilitated chloride efflux from phospholipid vesicles at receptor to lipid ratios as low as 1 : 20 000. In addition, in vitro fluorescence and viability assays indicated that the most potent anion transporters induced apoptosis in human cancer cell lines.

Thiourea isosteres as anion receptors and transmembrane transporters

Compounds containing cyanoguanidine and 3-amino-1,2,4-benzothiadiazine-1,1-dioxide have been studied as anion receptors and transporters. Significant affinity for oxo-anions was observed in organic solution and the receptors were found to function as transmembrane chloride/nitrate antiporters with transport rates enhanced in the presence of valinomycin-K(+) complex.

Synthetic, structural, electrochemical and solvent extraction studies of neutral trinuclear Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) metallocycles and tetrahedral tetranuclear Fe(III) species incorporating 1,4-aryl-linked bis-beta-diketonato ligands.

Uncharged complexes, formulated as trimeric metallocycles of type [M3(L(1))3(Py)6] (where M = cobalt(II), nickel(II) and zinc(II) and L(1) is the doubly deprotonated form of a 1,4-phenylene linked bis-beta-diketone ligand of type 1,4-bis(RC(O)CH2C(O))C6H4 (R = t-Bu)) have been synthesised, adding to related, previously reported complexes of these metals with L(1) (R = Ph) and copper(ii) with L(1) (R = Me, Et, Pr, t-Bu, Ph). New lipophilic ligand derivatives with R = hexyl, octyl or nonyl were also prepared for use in solvent extraction experiments. The X-ray structures of H2L(1) (R = t-Bu) and of its trinuclear (triangular) nickel(II) complex [Ni3(L(1))3(Py)6].3.5Py (R = t-Bu) are also presented. Electrochemical studies of H2L(1), [Co3(L(1))3(Py)6], [Ni3(L(1))3(Py)6], [Cu3(L(1))3], [Zn3(L(1))3(Py)6] and [Fe4(L(1))6] (all with R = t-Bu) show that oxidative processes for the complexes are predominantly irreversible, but several examples of quasireversible behaviour also occur and support the assignment of an anodic process, seen between +1.0 and +1.6 V, as involving metal-centred oxidations. The reduction behaviour for the respective metal complexes is not simple, being irreversible in most cases. Solvent extraction studies (water/chloroform) involving the systematic variation of the metal, bis-beta-diketone and heterocyclic base concentrations have been performed for cobalt(II) and zinc(II) using a radiotracer technique in order to probe the stoichiometries of the respective extracted species. Significant extraction synergism was observed when 4-ethylpyridine was also present with the bis-beta-diketone ligand in the chloroform phase. Competitive extraction studies demonstrated a clear uptake preference for copper(II) over cobalt(II), nickel(II), zinc(II) and cadmium(II).

Interaction of an extended series of N-substituted di(2-picolyl)amine derivatives with copper(II). Synthetic, structural, magnetic and solution studies

The interaction of Cu(II) with the following secondary N-substituted derivatives of di(2-picolyl)amine () are reported: N-cyclohexylmethyl-di(2-picolyl)amine (), N-benzyl-di(2-picolyl)amine (), N-(4-pyridylmethyl)-di(2-picolyl)amine (), N-(4-carboxymethylbenzyl)-di(2-picolyl)amine (), N-(9-anthracen-8-ylmethyl)-di(2-picolyl)amine (), 1,3-bis[di(2-picolyl)aminomethyl]benzene (), 1,4-bis[di(2-picolyl)aminomethyl]benzene () and 2,4,6-tris[di(2-picolyl)amino]triazine (). The solid complexes [Cu()(micro-Cl)](2)(PF(6))(2), [Cu()(micro-Cl)](2)(PF(6))(2).0.5CH(2)Cl(2), Cu()(ClO(4))(2), Cu()(2)(ClO(4))(2), [Cu()(ClO(4))(2)(H(2)O)].0.5H(2)O, Cu(2)()(ClO(4))(4), [Cu(2)()(Cl)(4)] and [Cu(2)(+H)(micro-OCH(3))(2)(H(2)O)](ClO(4))(3).C(4)H(10)O were isolated and X-ray structures of [Cu()(micro-Cl)](2)(PF(6))(2), [Cu()(micro-Cl)](2)(PF(6))(2).0.5CH(2)Cl(2,) [Cu()(2)(ClO(4))(2)(H(2)O)].0.5H(2)O, [Cu(2)()Cl(4)] and [Cu(2)(+H)(micro-OCH(3))(2)(H(2)O)](ClO(4))(3).C(4)H(10)O were obtained. The series is characterised by a varied range of coordination geometries and lattice architectures which in the case of [Cu()(ClO(4))(2)(H(2)O)].0.5H(2)O includes a chain-like structure formed by unusual intermolecular pi-interactions between metal bound perchlorate anions and the aromatic rings of adjacent anthracenyl groups. Variable temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements have been performed for [Cu()(micro-Cl)](2)(PF(6))(2) and [Cu()(micro-Cl)](2)(PF(6))(2).0.5H(2)O over the range 2-300 K. Both compounds show Curie-Weiss behaviour, with the data indicating weak antiferromagnetic interaction between the pairs of copper ions in each complex. Liquid-liquid (H(2)O/CHCl(3)) extraction experiments involving and as extractants showed that, relative to the parent (unsubstituted) dipic ligand , substitution at the secondary amine site in each case resulted in an increase in extraction efficiency towards Cu(II) (as its perchlorate salt); at least in part, this increase may be attributed to the enhanced lipophilicities of the N-substituted derivatives.

Interaction of Mixed-Donor Macrocycles Containing the 1,10-Phenanthroline Subunit with Selected Transition and Post-Transition Metal Ions : Metal Ion Recognition in Competitive Liquid-Liquid Solvent Extraction of CuII, ZnII, PbII, CdII, AgI, and HgII

Two new mixed aza-thia crowns 5-aza-2,8-dithia[9]-(2,9)-1,10-phenanthrolinophane (L(4)) and 2,8-diaza-5-thia[9]-(2,9)-1,10-phenanthrolinophane (L(7)) have been synthesized and characterized. The coordination behavior of L(4) and L(7) toward the metal ions Cu(II), Zn(II), Pb(II), Cd(II), Hg(II), and Ag(I) was studied in aqueous solution by potentiometric methods, in CD3CN/D2O 4:1 (v/v) by (1)H NMR titrations and in the solid state. The data obtained were compared with those available for the coordination behavior toward the same metal ions of structurally analogous mixed donor macrocyclic ligands L(1)-L(3), L(5), L(6): all these contain a phenanthroline subunit but have only S/O/N(aromatic) donor groups in the remaining portion of the ring and are, therefore, less water-soluble than L(4) and L(7). The complexes [Cd(NO3)2(L(5))], [Pb(L(7))](ClO4)2 x 1/2MeCN, [Pb(L(4))](ClO4)2 x MeCN, and [Cu(L(7))](ClO4)2 x 3/2MeNO2 were characterized by X-ray crystallography. The efficacy of L(1)-L(7) in competitive liquid-liquid metal ion extraction of Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), Pb(II), Ag(I), and Hg(II) was assessed. In the absence of Hg(II), a clear extraction selectivity for Ag(I) was observed in all systems investigated.

Assembly of a trinuclear metallo-capsule from a tripodal tris(β-diketone) derivative and copper(II)

A new metallo-capsule has been synthesised that consists of three copper(II) ions and two molecules of a tris-deprotonated tripodal ligand in which three 2,4-pentanedione groups are linked via their gamma-carbons through thioether spacers to the 1,3,5-positions of a triazine core.

Zwitterionic dicopper helicates: anion encapsulation and binding studies

The synthesis and spectroscopic studies of a dicopper(II) double helicate capable of binding anions is described. X-Ray crystallographic analysis of three anion variations of the complex have shown that the helicate is capable of accommodating anions with an approximate volume of 0.09 nm(3) and smaller. ESI-MS revealed that the supramolecular complexes retain the 2 : 2 ligand : metal cluster in solution. Spectrometric analysis has shown the complex is capable of binding anions in a 1 : 1 ratio of helicate to anion, in the order SO(4)(2-) > HPO(4)(2-) > ClO(4)(-) approximately BF(4)(-) approximately NO(3)(-). We demonstrate that coordination to the metal centre, H-bonding and electrostatic interactions all play a role in encapsulating the anions.