Singly Reduced Iridium Chromophores: Synthesis, Characterization, and Photochemistry.

One-electron reduced photosensitizers have been invoked as crucial intermediates in photoredox catalysis, including multiphoton excitation and electrophotocatalytic processes. However, such reduced chromophores have been less investigated, limiting mechanistic studies of their associated electron transfer processes. Here, we report a total of 11 different examples of isolable singly reduced iridium chromophores. Chemical reduction of a cyclometalated iridium complex with potassium graphite affords a 19-electron species. Structural and spectroscopic characterizations reveal a ligand-centered reduction product. The reduced chromophore absorbs a wide range of light from ultraviolet to near-infrared and exhibits photoinduced bimolecular electron transfer reactivity. These studies shed light on elusive reduced iridium chromophores in both ground and excited states, providing opportunities to investigate a commonly invoked intermediate in photoredox catalysis.

Reversible C-C Bond Cleavage of a Cobalt Diketimide into an Elusive Cobalt Aryl Nitrenoid Complex.

The reactivity of (Tr L)Co (Tr L=5-mesityl-1,9-(trityl)dipyrrin) toward various aryl azides was examined to elucidate the electronic structure and reactivity of dipyrrinato cobalt aryl nitrenoid complexes. Herein, we demonstrate the synthesis of a CoII diketimide complex [(Tr L)Co(NC6 F5 )]2 and its reversible C-C bond cleavage to yield a monomeric Co nitrenoid complex (Tr L)Co(NC6 F5 ). Exposure of [(Tr L)Co(NC6 F5 )]2 to an excess amount of an H-atom donor cleanly affords the CoII anilide complex (Tr L)Co(NHC6 F5 ). The half-order decay of [(Tr L)Co(NC6 F5 )]2 via H-atom abstraction (HAA) reveals saturation kinetic behavior indicating a pre-equilibrium between [(Tr L)Co(NC6 F5 )]2 and (Tr L)Co(NC6 F5 ) prior to HAA. Furthermore, (Tr L)Co(NC6 F5 ) undergoes reductive coupling with another equivalent of azide to furnish the four-coordinate tetrazido complex (Tr L)Co(κ2 -N4 (C6 F5 )2 ), expulsion of a fluorine atom to afford (Tr L)CoF, and N-group transfer reactivity to PPh3 .

C-H Amination Mediated by Cobalt Organoazide Adducts and the Corresponding Cobalt Nitrenoid Intermediates.

Treatment of (ArL)CoBr (ArL = 5-mesityl-1,9-(2,4,6-Ph3C6H2)dipyrrin) with a stoichiometric amount of 1-azido-4-(tert-butyl)benzene N3(C6H4-p-tBu) furnished the corresponding four-coordinate organoazide-bound complex (ArL)CoBr(N3(C6H4-p-tBu)). Spectroscopic and structural characterization of the complex indicated redox innocent ligation of the organoazide. Slow expulsion of dinitrogen (N2) was observed at room temperature to afford a ligand functionalized product via a [3 + 2] annulation, which can be mediated by a high-valent nitrene intermediate such as a CoIII iminyl (ArL)CoBr(•N(C6H4-p-tBu)) or CoIV imido (ArL)CoBr(N(C6H4-p-tBu)) complex. The presence of the proposed intermediate and its viability as a nitrene group transfer reagent are supported by intermolecular C-H amination and aziridination reactivities. Unlike (ArL)CoBr(N3(C6H4-p-tBu)), a series of alkyl azide-bound CoII analogues expel N2 only above 60 °C, affording paramagnetic intermediates that convert to the corresponding Co-imine complexes via α-H-atom abstraction. The corresponding N2-released structures were observed via single-crystal-to-crystal transformation, suggesting formation of a Co-nitrenoid intermediate in solid-state. Alternatively, the alkyl azide-bound congeners supported by a more sterically accessible dipyrrinato scaffold tBuL (tBuL = 5-mesityl-(1,9-di-tert-butyl)dipyrrin) facilitate intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition as well as C-H amination to furnish 1,2,3-dihydrotriazole and substituted pyrrolidine products, respectively. For the C-H amination, we observe that the temperature required for azide activation varies depending on the presence of weak C-H bonds, suggesting that the alkyl azide adducts serve as viable species for C-H amination when the C-H bonds are (1) proximal to the azide moiety and (2) sufficiently weak to be activated.

Direct Manipulation of Metal Imido Geometry: Key Principles to Enhance C-H Amination Efficacy.

We report the catalytic C-H amination mediated by an isolable CoIII imido complex (TrL)Co(NR) supported by a sterically demanding dipyrromethene ligand (TrL = 5-mesityl-1,9-(trityl)dipyrrin). Metalation of (TrL)Li with CoCl2 in THF afforded a high-spin (S = 3/2) three-coordinate complex (TrL)CoCl. Chemical reduction of (TrL)CoCl with potassium graphite yielded the high-spin (S = 1) CoI synthon (TrL)Co which is stabilized through an intramolecular η6-arene interaction. Treatment of (TrL)Co with a stoichiometric amount of 1-azidoadamantane (AdN3) furnished a three-coordinate, diamagnetic CoIII imide (TrL)Co(NAd) as confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, revealing a rare trigonal pyramidal geometry with an acute Co-Nimido-C angle 145.0(3)°. Exposure of 1-10 mol % of (TrL)Co to linear alkyl azides (RN3) resulted in catalytic formation of substituted N-heterocycles via intramolecular C-H amination of a range of C-H bonds, including primary C-H bonds. The mechanism of the C-N bond formation was probed via initial rate kinetic analysis and kinetic isotope effect experiments [kH/kD = 38.4(1)], suggesting a stepwise H-atom abstraction followed by radical recombination. In contrast to the previously reported C-H amination mediated by (ArL)Co(NR) (ArL = 5-mesityl-1,9-(2,4,6-Ph3C6H2)dipyrrin), (TrL)Co(NR) displays enhanced yields and rates of C-H amination without the aid of a cocatalyst, and no catalyst degradation to a tetrazene species was observed, as further supported by the pyridine inhibition effect on the rate of C-H amination. Furthermore, (TrL)Co(NAd) exhibits an extremely low one-electron reduction potential (E°red = -1.98 V vs [Cp2Fe]+/0) indicating that the highly basic terminal imido unit contributes to the driving force for H-atom abstraction.

Luteolin reduces adipose tissue macrophage inflammation and insulin resistance in postmenopausal obese mice.

Previously, we showed that loss of ovarian function in mice fed high-fat diet exacerbated insulin resistance and adipose tissue inflammation. In the current study, we tested whether consumption of luteolin, an anti-inflammatory flavonoid, could mitigate adipose tissue inflammation and insulin resistance in obese ovariectomized mice. Nine-week-old ovariectomized C57BL/6 mice were fed a low-fat diet, high-fat diet (HFD) or HFD supplemented with 0.005% luteolin (HFD+L) for 16 weeks. Results showed no difference in body weight or fat mass between mice fed HFD+L and those fed HFD. However, luteolin supplementation resulted in lower CD11c+ macrophages in gonadal adipose tissue, as well as a trend toward lower macrophage infiltration. Luteolin supplementation also significantly lowered mRNA expression of inflammatory and M1 markers MCP-1, CD11c, TNF-α and IL-6, while maintaining expression of M2 marker MGL1. Consistent with this, the in vitro luteolin treatment, with or without the presence of estrogen, inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced polarization of RAW 264.7 cells toward M1 phenotype. We further found that luteolin supplementation protected mice from insulin resistance induced by HFD consumption; this improved insulin resistance was correlated with reductions in CD11c+ adipose tissue macrophages. Taken together, these findings indicate that dietary luteolin supplementation attenuates adipose tissue inflammation and insulin resistance found in mice with loss of ovarian function coupled with an HFD intake, and this effect may be partly mediated through suppressing M1-like polarization of macrophages in adipose tissue. These results have clinical implication in implementing dietary intervention for prevention of metabolic syndrome associated with postmenopause and obesity.

Catalytic C-H Amination Mediated by Dipyrrin Cobalt Imidos.

Reduction of (ArL)CoIIBr (ArL = 5-mesityl-1,9-(2,4,6-Ph3C6H2)dipyrrin) with potassium graphite afforded the novel CoI synthon (ArL)CoI. Treatment of (ArL)CoI with a stoichiometric amount of various alkyl azides (N3R) furnished three-coordinate CoIII alkyl imidos (ArL)Co(NR), as confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (R: CMe2Bu, CMe2(CH2)2CHMe2). The exclusive formation of four-coordinate cobalt tetrazido complexes (ArL)Co(κ2-N4R2) was observed upon addition of excess azide, inhibiting any subsequent C-H amination. However, when a weak C-H bond is appended to the imido moiety, as in the case of (4-azido-4-methylpentyl)benzene, intramolecular C-H amination kinetically outcompetes formation of the corresponding tetrazene species to generate 2,2-dimethyl-5-phenylpyrrolidine in a catalytic fashion without requiring product sequestration. The imido (ArL)Co(NAd) exists in equilibrium in the presence of pyridine with a four-coordinate cobalt imido (ArL)Co(NAd)(py) ( Ka = 8.04 M-1), as determined by 1H NMR titration experiments. Kinetic studies revealed that pyridine binding slows down the formation of the tetrazido complex by blocking azide coordination to the CoIII imido. Further, (ArL)Co(NR)(py) displays enhanced C-H amination reactivity compared to that of the pyridine-free complex, enabling higher catalytic turnover numbers under milder conditions. The mechanism of C-H amination was probed via kinetic isotope effect experiments [ kH/ kD = 10.2(9)] and initial rate analysis with para-substituted azides, suggesting a two-step radical pathway. Lastly, the enhanced reactivity of (ArL)Co(NR)(py) can be correlated to a higher spin-state population, resulting in a decreased crystal field due to a geometry change upon pyridine coordination.

Loss of ovarian function in association with a high-fat diet promotes insulin resistance and disturbs adipose tissue immune homeostasis.

Loss of ovarian function, as occurs in menopause or after ovariectomy (OVX), is associated with insulin resistance. Adipose tissue inflammation is suggested to be a key component of obesity-induced insulin resistance in male rodents. However, little is known about the effect of OVX and diet on insulin resistance in association with immune homeostasis. Thus, we conducted this study to determine how high-fat diet (HFD) and OVX, alone or in combination, impacted adipose tissue inflammation and insulin resistance. Nine-week-old sham and OVX-treated C57Bl/6 mice were fed low-fat diet (LFD) or HFD (60%) up to 16 weeks. Glucose metabolism was assessed, and adipose tissue and spleen were characterized for tissue inflammation and immune cell populations. First, we found that HFD induced glucose intolerance in both OVX mice and, to a lesser extent, sham mice. OVX mice fed LFD showed no difference in glucose intolerance compared to sham mice. Additionally, OVX mice only when exposed to HFD displayed a proinflammatory profile in adipose tissue: increased macrophages together with dominant M1-like phenotype and also increased T cells, B cells and NK cells compared to those with intact ovarian function. Together, our findings indicate that loss of ovarian function coupled with an HFD intake promotes insulin resistance and adipose tissue inflammation by disturbing adipose tissue immune homeostasis. These findings have a clinical implication in the dietary guidance for menopausal women.

Diastereoselective C-H Bond Amination for Disubstituted Pyrrolidines.

We report herein the improved diastereoselective synthesis of 2,5-disubstituted pyrrolidines from aliphatic azides. Experimental and theoretical studies of the C-H amination reaction mediated by the iron dipyrrinato complex (Ad L)FeCl(OEt2 ) provided a model for diastereoinduction and allowed for systematic variation of the catalyst to enhance selectivity. Among the iron alkoxide and aryloxide catalysts evaluated, the iron phenoxide complex exhibited superior performance towards the generation of syn 2,5-disubstituted pyrrolidines with high diastereoselectivity.

Non-invasive transdermal two-dimensional mapping of cutaneous oxygenation with a rapid-drying liquid bandage.

Oxygen plays an important role in wound healing, as it is essential to biological functions such as cell proliferation, immune responses and collagen synthesis. Poor oxygenation is directly associated with the development of chronic ischemic wounds, which affect more than 6 million people each year in the United States alone at an estimated cost of $25 billion. Knowledge of oxygenation status is also important in the management of burns and skin grafts, as well as in a wide range of skin conditions. Despite the importance of the clinical determination of tissue oxygenation, there is a lack of rapid, user-friendly and quantitative diagnostic tools that allow for non-disruptive, continuous monitoring of oxygen content across large areas of skin and wounds to guide care and therapeutic decisions. In this work, we describe a sensitive, colorimetric, oxygen-sensing paint-on bandage for two-dimensional mapping of tissue oxygenation in skin, burns, and skin grafts. By embedding both an oxygen-sensing porphyrin-dendrimer phosphor and a reference dye in a liquid bandage matrix, we have created a liquid bandage that can be painted onto the skin surface and dries into a thin film that adheres tightly to the skin or wound topology. When captured by a camera-based imaging device, the oxygen-dependent phosphorescence emission of the bandage can be used to quantify and map both the pO2 and oxygen consumption of the underlying tissue. In this proof-of-principle study, we first demonstrate our system on a rat ischemic limb model to show its capabilities in sensing tissue ischemia. It is then tested on both ex vivo and in vivo porcine burn models to monitor the progression of burn injuries. Lastly, the bandage is applied to an in vivo porcine graft model for monitoring the integration of full- and partial-thickness skin grafts.