Petra I. Sansom

Synthesis of a new cylindrical calix[4]arene-calix[4]pyrrole pseudo dimer

The synthesis of a new calixarene-capped calixpyrrole 2 has been achieved using p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene tetramethyl ketone 1 as a template. Using this approach, the stereochemistry at the calixpyrrole meso-carbons is automatically defined. The X-ray crystal structure of 2 has been elucidated and reveals hydrogen bonding between the pyrrole NH groups and the oxygens at the lower rim of the calixarene. NMR studies confirm the importance of these interactions in solution.

Enhanced DNA photocleavage and binding properties of sapphyrin-polyamine conjugates

Abstract The synthesis of several water-soluble sapphyrin derivatives is described. Of these, the sapphyrins 2–4 , bearing appended polyamines, exhibit enhanced DNA photocleavage and binding over sapphyrin 1 as determined from pBR322 plasmid cleavage experiments and an ethidium bromide displacement fluorescence assay.

Energy transfer assemblies composed of expanded porphyrin-oligonucleotide conjugates

Abstract Energy transfer assemblies composed of expanded porphyrin-oligonucleotide conjugates 1–3 are described. The donor and acceptor pair composed of the 3′-sapphyrin conjugate 1 and the 5′-Y(III) texaphyrin conjugate 2 , upon irradiation with 622 nm light, gave results consistent with energy transfer.