[Nb6Cl14(pyrazine)4], a Versatile Precursor for Ligand-Supported Hexanuclear Niobium Cluster Compounds: Synthesis, Characterization, Follow-Up Reactions, and Intermolecular Interactions.

The compound [Nb6Cl14(pyrazine)4]·2CH2Cl2 (1) was investigated for its suitability as a starting compound for new ligand-supported hexanuclear niobium cluster compounds. The synthesis, stability to air and increased temperature, solubility and usability for subsequent reactions of 1, and purification and separation of the reaction products are discussed. The compounds with cluster units [Nb6Cl14L4], where L = iso-quinoline N-oxides (2), 1,1-dimethylethylenediamines (3), or thiazoles (4), and [Nb6Cl14(PEt3)3.76(Et3PO)0.24][Nb6Cl14(MeCN)4]·4MeCN (5) are presented as follow-up products. The crystal structures of compounds 1-5 are analyzed, and the structures are discussed with respect to their intra- and intermolecular bonding situations and crystal packing. In addition to hydrogen bonds and π-π interactions, the appearance of chalcogen and halogen bonds and lone pair-π interactions between Nb6 cluster units was observed for the first time.

Strong Cluster-Supported Brønsted Acids: Hexanuclear Niobium Cluster Compounds with Protonated Crown Ether Cations: (Crown-H)2[Nb6Cl12iX6a] (X = Cl or Br) and the Intermediate [Nb6Cl16(H2O)2]·4 dioxane.

Six cluster salts which consist of hexanuclear cluster anions [Nb6Cl12iX6a]2- (X = Cl or Br) and protonated crown ether molecules (15-crown-5 (15cr5) and 12-crown-4 (12cr4)) or crown ether-stabilized oxonium cations as well as one compound consisting of neutral cluster units, [Nb6Cl16(H2O)2]·4 dioxane, were synthesized in good to high yields. The single-crystal X-ray structures of six of these compounds were determined. The cation/anion ratios and the bond distances confirm in all cases oxidized cluster cores with 14 cluster-based electrons. The cations of the cluster salts are either sandwich-type dimers of the formula [(15cr5)H]22+ or [(15cr5)(H3O)]22+ with the protons or oxonium ions embedded in between the crown ether rings or monomeric units in the case of [(12cr4)H]+. 1H NMR investigations show that the cluster salts are strong Brønsted acids. The fact that the cluster core of [Nb6Cl16(H2O)2]·4 dioxane is oxidized but still carries water ligands indicates that within the multi-step reaction sequence of the formation of the cluster-supported acids, the oxidation step happens much faster than the ligand exchange steps. Temperature-dependent 2H MAS NMR spectra of deuterium-exchanged [(15cr5)H]2[Nb6Cl18]·2 CHCl3 are indicative of dynamic processes of the hydrogen-bonded protons within the crown ether molecule.

Strategic Evaluation of the Traceless Staudinger Ligation for Radiolabeling with the Tricarbonyl Core.

The traceless Staudinger ligation with its two variants is a powerful biorthogonal conjugation method not only for the connection of biomolecules, but also for the introduction of fluorescence- or radiolabels under mild reaction conditions. Herein, the strategic evaluation of the traceless Staudinger ligation for radiolabeling 99mTc using the fac-[Tc(CO)3]+ core is presented. A convenient and high-yielding three-step synthetic procedure of dipicolylamine-based phosphanols as ligands for the mild radiolabeling was developed. The labeling was accomplished using a tricarbonyl kit and a 99mTc-pertechnetate generator eluate showing 87% radiochemical conversion. The respective rhenium-based, non-radioactive reference compounds were synthesized using (Et4N)2[Re(CO)3Br3] as precursor. All products were analyzed by NMR, MS, and elemental analysis. Additional XRD analyses were performed.

Synthesis, radiolabelling and initial biological characterisation of 18F-labelled xanthine derivatives for PET imaging of Eph receptors.

Eph receptor tyrosine kinases, particularly EphA2 and EphB4, represent promising candidates for molecular imaging due to their essential role in cancer progression and therapy resistance. Xanthine derivatives were identified to be potent Eph receptor inhibitors with IC50 values in the low nanomolar range (1-40 nm). These compounds occupy the hydrophobic pocket of the ATP-binding site in the kinase domain. Based on lead compound 1, we designed two fluorine-18-labelled receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors ([18F]2/3) as potential tracers for positron emission tomography (PET). Docking into the ATP-binding site allowed us to find the best position for radiolabelling. The replacement of the methyl group at the uracil residue ([18F]3) rather than the methyl group of the phenoxy moiety ([18F]2) by a fluoropropyl group was predicted to preserve the affinity of the lead compound 1. Herein, we point out a synthesis route to [18F]2 and [18F]3 and the respective tosylate precursors as well as a labelling procedure to insert fluorine-18. After radiolabelling, both radiotracers were obtained in approximately 5% radiochemical yield with high radiochemical purity (>98%) and a molar activity of >10 GBq µmol-1. In line with the docking studies, first cell experiments revealed specific, time-dependent binding and uptake of [18F]3 to EphA2 and EphB4-overexpressing A375 human melanoma cells, whereas [18F]2 did not accumulate at these cells. Since both tracers [18F]3 and [18F]2 are stable in rat blood, the novel radiotracers might be suitable for in vivo molecular imaging of Eph receptors with PET.

A Hexanuclear Niobium Cluster Compound Crystallizing as Macroscopic Tubes.

Compounds with ordered structures in one or two dimensions are exciting materials and investigated intensively in many different areas of science. Many activities have been put into the preparation of low-dimensional nano-scaled structures and many compounds in this size regime are known. Contrary, the number of known compounds that have low-dimensional macroscopic sized structures that form directly in a chemical reaction is very limited. Here, we present the synthesis of the niobium cluster compound [(Et2 O)2 H]2 [Nb6 Cl18 ], crystals of which grow in form of large hexagonal empty tubes of several centimeter length and diameters in the range of 2 mm. The single-crystal X-ray structure of this compound has been refined. Under warming, the compound readily eliminates diethyl ether molecules and decomposes. From a closer look at the crystallization process a step-by-step scheme of the procedure of the tube growth is proposed. The overall conclusion from this proposal is that a crucial balance between the cluster solution concentration, the crystal growth speed and the ether diffusion speed results in the formation of macroscopic crystal tubes.

A Hexanuclear Niobium Cluster Compound With Intra-Cluster Chelate Ligands: [Nb6 (OC2 H4 NH2 )12 ]I3.

From the reaction of [Nb6 I11 ] with 2-aminoethanol in pyridine the cluster compound [Nb6 (OC2 H4 NH2 )12 ]I3 has been obtained and the single-crystal X-ray structure determined. It represents the first example of a group VB metal cluster compound with hexanuclear, octahedral metal atom core, which carries intra-cluster chelate ligands. With the formation of this unprecedented cluster cation we report for the first time a transformation of a 6-8 to a 6-12 type cluster unit. The formation of the cluster cation goes along with a one-electron oxidation of the cluster starting material. Furthermore, it adds a second entry to the so far very small group of M6 cluster compounds with organic ligands on the inner cluster sites.

Correction: Synthesis, dynamic NMR characterization and XRD studies of novel N,N'-substituted piperazines for bioorthogonal labeling.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3762/bjoc.12.242.].

Synthesis, dynamic NMR characterization and XRD studies of novel N,N'-substituted piperazines for bioorthogonal labeling.

Novel, functionalized piperazine derivatives were successfully synthesized and fully characterized by 1H/13C/19F NMR, MS, elemental analysis and lipophilicity. All piperazine compounds occur as conformers resulting from the partial amide double bond. Furthermore, a second conformational shape was observed for all nitro derivatives due to the limited change of the piperazine chair conformation. Therefore, two coalescence points were determined and their resulting activation energy barriers were calculated using 1H NMR. To support this result, single crystals of 1-(4-nitrobenzoyl)piperazine (3a, monoclinic, space group C2/c, a = 24.587(2), b = 7.0726(6), c = 14.171(1) Å, ß = 119.257(8)°, V = 2149.9(4) Å3, Z = 4, Dobs = 1.454 g/cm3) and the alkyne derivative 4-(but-3-yn-1-yl)-1-(4-fluorobenzoyl)piperazine (4b, monoclinic, space group P21/n, a = 10.5982(2), b = 8.4705(1), c = 14.8929(3) Å, ß = 97.430(1)°, V = 1325.74(4) Å3, Z = 4, Dobs = 1.304 g/cm3) were obtained from a saturated ethyl acetate solution. The rotational conformation of these compounds was also verified by XRD. As proof of concept for future labeling purposes, both nitropiperazines were reacted with [18F]F-. To test the applicability of these compounds as possible 18F-building blocks, two biomolecules were modified and chosen for conjugation either using the Huisgen-click reaction or the traceless Staudinger ligation.

Diaryl-Substituted (Dihydro)pyrrolo[3,2,1-hi]indoles, a Class of Potent COX-2 Inhibitors with Tricyclic Core Structure.

A new compound class of diaryl-substituted heterocycles with tricyclic dihydropyrrolo[3,2,1-hi]indole and pyrrolo[3,2,1-hi]indole core structures has been designed and was synthesized by a modular sequence of Friedel-Crafts acylation, amide formation, and McMurry cyclization. This synthesis route represents a novel and versatile access toward dihydropyrrolo[3,2,1-hi]indoles and is characterized by good chemical yields and high modularity. From a set of 19 derivatives, 11 candidates were selected for determination of their COX inhibition potency and were found to be selective inhibitors with high affinity to COX-2 (IC50 ranging from 20-2500 nM and negligible inhibition of COX-1). The binding mode of the novel inhibitors in the active side of COX-2 was calculated in silico using the protein-ligand docking program GOLD by application of the molecular structures of two compounds derived from X-ray crystallography. Two novel compounds with high affinity to COX-2 (6k = 70 nM, 8e = 60 nM) have a fluoro substituent, making them promising candidates for the development of (18)F-radiolabeled COX-2 inhibitors for imaging purposes with positron emission tomography (PET).

Novel (pyrazolyl)benzenesulfonamides with a nitric oxide-releasing moiety as selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors.

Inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is a promising anti-inflammatory therapeutic strategy, but long-term medication with COX-2-inhibitors (coxibs) may be associated with adverse cardiovascular effects. Functionalization of existing lead structures with nitric oxide (NO)-releasing moieties is an auspicious approach to minimize these effects. In this regard, an organic nitrate (-O-NO2) substituent was introduced at a (pyrazolyl)benzenesulfonamide lead structure. The novel NO-coxibs selectively inhibited COX-2 in a low micromolar range (IC50(COX-2): 0.22-1.27 µM) and are supposed to be promising anti-inflammatory compounds with, in parallel, positive effects on vascular homeostasis.

Low-melting imidazolium-based salts with the paramagnetic reineckate-analogue anion [Cr(NCS)4(bipy)]- (bipy = 2,2'-bipyridine): syntheses, properties, and structures.

In order to investigate the potential ionic liquid properties of Reineckate-analogue materials, four new salts, consisting of the heteroleptic [Cr(NCS)(4)(bipy)](-) complex anion and imidazolium-based cations A(+) = 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium, 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium, pentamethylimidazolium, and 1,3-dimethyl-2,4,5-triphenylimidazolium, were investigated. Their structures were established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The compounds are paramagnetic with effective magnetic moments in the range of those expected by the number of unpaired spins of the chromium(III) ion. All melting points are above 100 °C, which prevents us from calling these compounds "ionic liquids". Nevertheless, they are low for salts of this constitution and may be useful for molten salt reactions. Cyclic voltammetry measurements show no reversible electron-transfer steps.

Development of indazolylpyrimidine derivatives as high-affine EphB4 receptor ligands and potential PET radiotracers.

Due to their essential role in the pathogenesis of cancer, members of the Eph (erythropoietin-producing hepatoma cell line-A2) receptor tyrosine kinase family represent promising candidates for molecular imaging. Thus, the development and preparation of novel radiotracers for the noninvasive imaging of the EphB4 receptor via positron emission tomography (PET) is described. First in silico investigations with the indazolylpyrimidine lead compound which is known to be highly affine to EphB4 were executed to identify favorable labeling positions for an introduction of fluorine-18 to retain the affinity. Based on this, reference compounds as well as precursors were developed and labeled with carbon-11 and fluorine-18, respectively. For this purpose, a protecting group strategy essentially had to be generated to prevent unwanted methylation and to enable the introduction of fluorine-18. Further, a convenient radiolabeling strategy using [(11)C]methyl iodide was established which afforded the isotopically labeled radiotracer in 30-35% RCY (d.c.) which is identical with the original inhibitor molecule. A spiro ammonium precursor was prepared for radiolabeling with fluorine-18. Unfortunately, the labeling did not lead to the desired (18)F-radiotracer under the chosen conditions.

Direction-dependent freezing of diamagnetic colloidal tracers suspended in paramagnetic ionic liquids.

The dynamic behavior of an inverse ferrofluid consisting of diamagnetic, spherical silica particles suspended in the paramagnetic ionic liquid (EMIm)2[Co(NCS)4] is investigated by means of x-ray photon correlation spectroscopy in the presence of an external magnetic field. Dipole-dipole interactions between the diamagnetic holes in the paramagnetic continuum of the suspending medium induce a direction-dependence of the diffusive motion of the colloidal particles: due to a magnetic repulsion perpendicular to the direction of an external field the diffusive motion of the colloidal particles is selectively frozen in this direction.

Crystal structure of 2-(di-phenyl-phos-phanyl)phenyl 4-(hy-droxy-meth-yl)benzoate.

The title compound, C26H21O3P, was obtained as by-product due to the hydrolysis of the desired tosyl-ated compound. The dihedral angles between the three aromatic rings attached to the P atom lie in the range 78.1 (1)-87.6 (1)°. The hy-droxy-methyl group is disordered between two conformations in a 0.719 (9):0.281 (9) ratio. The hy-droxy H atom is not involved in inter-molecular inter-actions, while the hy-droxy O atom serves as a donor for weak C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, which link the mol-ecules into chains propagating in [0-11].

Use of 3-[(18)F]fluoropropanesulfonyl chloride as a prosthetic agent for the radiolabelling of amines: Investigation of precursor molecules, labelling conditions and enzymatic stability of the corresponding sulfonamides.

3-[(18)F]Fluoropropanesulfonyl chloride, a recently proposed prosthetic agent for fluorine-18 labelling, was prepared in a two-step radiosynthesis via 3-[(18)F]fluoropropyl thiocyanate as an intermediate. Two benzenesulfonate-based radiolabelling precursors were prepared by various routes. Comparing the reactivities of 3-thiocyanatopropyl nosylate and the corresponding tosylate towards [(18)F]fluoride the former proved to be superior accounting for labelling yields of up to 85%. Conditions for a reliable transformation of 3-[(18)F]fluoropropyl thiocyanate to the corresponding sulfonyl chloride with the potential for automation have been identified. The reaction of 3-[(18)F]fluoropropanesulfonyl chloride with eight different aliphatic and aromatic amines was investigated and the identity of the resulting (18)F-labelled sulfonamides was confirmed chromatographically by comparison with their nonradioactive counterparts. Even for weakly nucleophilic amines such as 4-nitroaniline the desired radiolabelled sulfonamides were accessible in satisfactory yields owing to systematic variation of the reaction conditions. With respect to the application of the (18)F-fluoropropansulfonyl group to the labelling of compounds relevant as imaging agents for positron emission tomography (PET), the stability of N-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-fluoropropanesulfonamide against degradation catalysed by carboxylesterase was investigated and compared to that of the analogous fluoroacetamide.

Tetra-kis(tri-ethyl-enediamin-1-ium) dodeca-µ2-chlorido-hexakis(thio-cyanato-κN)hexa-octa-hedro-niobate.

The crystal structure of the cluster complex salt, (C6H13N2)4[Nb6(NCS)6Cl12] or (H-DABCO)4[Nb6Cl12(NCS)6] (DABCO = tri-ethyl-enedi-amine or 1,4-di-aza-bicyclo-[2.2.2]octa-ne), comprises octa-hedral Nb6 cluster cores, which are µ2-coordinated by 12 chloride ligands (bridging the octa-hedral edges, inner ligand sphere). Furthermore, each Nb atom is N-bonded to a terminal thio-cyanate ligand (outer ligand sphere). The discrete clusters carry a charge of -4, which is compensated by four monoprotonated DABCO mol-ecules. These are arranged in rows, which are N-H⋯Cl and N-H⋯N hydrogen bonded to the anions and among each other.

Dipeptide-Derived Alkynes as Potent and Selective Irreversible Inhibitors of Cysteine Cathepsins.

The potential of designing irreversible alkyne-based inhibitors of cysteine cathepsins by isoelectronic replacement in reversibly acting potent peptide nitriles was explored. The synthesis of the dipeptide alkynes was developed with special emphasis on stereochemically homogeneous products obtained in the Gilbert-Seyferth homologation for C≡C bond formation. Twenty-three dipeptide alkynes and 12 analogous nitriles were synthesized and investigated for their inhibition of cathepsins B, L, S, and K. Numerous combinations of residues at positions P1 and P2 as well as terminal acyl groups allowed for the derivation of extensive structure-activity relationships, which were rationalized by computational covalent docking for selected examples. The determined inactivation constants of the alkynes at the target enzymes span a range of >3 orders of magnitude (3-10 133 M-1 s-1). Notably, the selectivity profiles of alkynes do not necessarily reflect those of the nitriles. Inhibitory activity at the cellular level was demonstrated for selected compounds.

Halide ordering in reduced mixed halides, chlorides/iodides, of zirconium: syntheses and structures of Cs2[(Zr6B)(Cl,I)15] cluster compounds.

A series of high-temperature solid state chemical reactions was carried out in the quasi-quarternary mixed-halide Cs-Zr-B-(Cl,I) system with stoichiometries aiming for zirconium cluster phases of the Cs(2)[(Zr(6)B)X(15)] type (X = mixture of Cl + I). In the phase range from ~ Cs(2)[(Zr(6)B)Cl(13)I(2)] to Cs(2)[(Zr(6)B)Cl(3)I(12)] the structures of the obtained cluster phases are derived from the orthorhombic CsK[(Zr(6)B)Cl(15)]. At a composition of Cs(2)[(Zr(6)B)Cl(~10) I(~4)] a lower symmetry, monoclinic derivative has been found. X-ray diffraction data of single crystals of three compounds of this phase system were collected, orthorhombic Cs(2)[(Zr(6)B)Cl(12.99(3))I(2.01)] (1), (Pmma, Z = 4, a = 19.304(4), b = 14.617(3), c = 9.921(2) Å, R1/wR2 = 0.0444/0.0886), monoclinic Cs(2)[(Zr(6)B)Cl(10.63(3))I(4.37)] (2), (P2/c, Z = 4, a = 14.9502(3), b = 10.0098(2), c = 19.8798(4) Å, ß = 90.977(1) R1/wR2 = 0.0460/0.1182), and orthorhombic Cs(2)[(Zr(6)B)Cl(8.79(4))I(6.21)] (3) (Pmma, Z = 4, a = 20.0534(4), b = 15.1488(3), c = 10.1739(2) Å, R1/wR2 = 0.0494/0.1123). These compounds are obtained as single phase products. As in other known mixed-halide systems halide ordering is observed, such that the different halide sites have different amounts of Cl and I. With increasing amount of iodide, relative to Cl, the cluster-interconnecting halide sites are more and more occupied by I. For the first time it is observed for 3 that a halide site, which forms a linear bridge between two neighboring Zr(6)B cluster units (so far known examples are solely occupied by Cl), is statistically mixed occupied by Cl and I. Nevertheless, both halide types achieve acceptable bonding situations (bond lengths) because the I atoms are moved out of the linearly bridging position, thereby achieving longer Zr-X distances than the Cl atom, which remains linearly bridging. The generally interesting aspect of this paper is that in the very complex systems the atoms of the mixed occupied sites as well as those of the cation sites arrange with respect to the atomic environment, such that all of them have optimized bonding situations.

bone mineral densities and mechanical properties of retrieved femoral bone samples in relation to bone mineral densities measured in the respective patients.

The bone mineral density (BMD) of retrieved cancellous bone samples is compared to the BMD measured in vivo in the respective osteoarthritic patients. Furthermore, mechanical properties, in terms of structural modulus (E(s)) and ultimate compression strength (σ(max)) of the bone samples, are correlated to BMD data. Human femoral heads were retrieved from 13 osteoarthritic patients undergoing total hip replacement. Subsequently, the BMD of each bone sample was analysed using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) as well as ashing. Furthermore, BMDs of the proximal femur were analysed preoperatively in the respective patients by DXA. BMDs of the femoral neck and head showed a wide variation, from 1016 ± 166 mg/cm(2) to 1376 ± 404 mg/cm(2). BMDs of the bone samples measured by DXA and ashing yielded values of 315 ± 199 mg/cm(2) and 347 ± 113 mg/cm(3), respectively. E(s) and σ(max) amounted to 232 ± 151 N/mm(2) and 6.4 ± 3.7 N/mm(2). Significant correlation was found between the DXA and ashing data on the bone samples and the DXA data from the patients at the femoral head (r = 0.85 and 0.79, resp.). E(s) correlated significantly with BMD in the patients and bone samples as well as the ashing data (r = 0.79, r = 0.82, and r = 0.8, resp.).

Cluster Compounds with Oxidised, Hexanuclear [Nb6 Cli 12 Ia 6 ]n- Anions (n=2 or 3).

Four mixed-halide cluster salts with chloride-iodide-supported octahedral Nb6 metal atoms cores were prepared and investigated. The cluster anions have the formula [Nb6 Cli 12 Ia 6 ]n- with Cl occupying the inner ligand sites and I the outer one. They are one- or two-electron-oxidized (n=2 or 3) with respect to the starting material cluster. (Ph4 P)+ and (PPN)+ function as counter cations. The X-ray structures reveal a mixed occupation of the outer sites for only one compound, (PPN)3 [Nb6 Cli 12 Ia 5.047(9) Cla 0.953 ]. All four compounds are obtained in high yield. If in the chemical reactions a mixture of acetic anhydride, CH2 Cl2 , and trimethylsilyl iodide is used, the resulting acidic conditions lead to form the two-electron-oxidised species (n=2) with 14 cluster-based electrons (CBEs). If only acetic anhydride is used, the 15 CBE species (n=3) is obtained in high yield. Interesting intermolecular bonding is found in (Ph4 P)2 [Nb6 Cli 12 Ia 6 ] ⋅ 4CH2 Cl2 with I⋅⋅⋅I halogen bonding and π-π bonding interactions between the phenyl rings of the cations in (PPN)3 [Nb6 Cli 12 Ia 5.047(9) Cla 0.953 ]. The solubility of (Ph4 P)2 [Nb6 Cli 12 Ia 6 ] ⋅ 4CH2 Cl2 has been determined qualitatively in a variety of solvents, and good solubility in the aprotic solvents CH3 CN, THF and CH2 Cl2 has been found.