Ring-shaped Re(I) multinuclear complexes with unique photofunctional properties.

We synthesized for the first time a series of emissive ring-shaped Re(I) complexes (Re-rings) with various numbers of Re(I) units and various lengths of bridge ligands. The photophysical properties of the Re-rings could be varied widely through changes in the size of the central cavity. A smaller central cavity of the Re-rings induced intramolecular π-π interactions between the ligands and consequently caused a stronger emission and a longer lifetime of the excited state. The Re-rings can function as efficient and durable photosensitizers. The combination of a trinuclear Re-ring photosensitizer with fac-[Re(bpy)(CO)3(MeCN)](+) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) as a catalyst photocatalyzed CO2 reduction with the highest quantum yield of 82%.

Systematic synthesis, isolation, and photophysical properties of linear-shaped Re(I) oligomers and polymers with 2-20 units.

Systematic synthesis routes have been developed for the linear-shaped rhenium(I) oligomers and polymers bridged with bidentate phosphorus ligands, [Re(N--N)(CO)3-PP-{Re(N--N)(CO)2-PP-}(n)Re(N--N)(CO)3](PF6)(n+2) (N--N = diimine, PP = bidentate phosphine, n = 0-18). These were isolated by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and identified by (1)H NMR, IR, electrospray ionization Fourier transform mass spectrometry, analytical SEC, and elemental analysis. Crystal structures of [Re(bpy)(CO)3-Ph2PC[triple bond]CPPh2-Re(bpy)(CO)3](PF6)2, [Re(bpy)(CO)3-Ph2PC[triple bond]CPPh2-Re(bpy)(CO)2-Ph2PC[triple bond]CPPh2-Re(bpy)(CO)3](PF6)3 and [Re(bpy)(CO)3-Ph2PC2H4PPh2-{Re(bpy)(CO)2Ph2PC2H4PPh2-}(n)Re(bpy)(CO)3](PF6)(n+2) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, n = 1, 2) were obtained, showing that they have interligand pi-pi interaction between the bpy ligand and the phenyl groups on the phosphorus ligand. All of the oligomers and polymers synthesized were emissive at room temperature in solution. For the dimers, broad emission was observed with a maximum at 523-545 nm, from the (3)MLCT excited-state of the tricarbonyl complex unit, [Re(N--N)(CO)3-PP-]. Emission from the longer oligomers and polymers with > or = 3 Re(I) units was observed at wavelengths 50-60 nm longer than those of the corresponding dimers. This fact and the emission decay results clearly show that energy transfer from the edge unit to the interior unit occurs with a rate constant of (0.9 x 10(8))-(2.5 x 10(8)) s(-1). The efficient energy transfer and the smaller exclusive volume of the longer Re(I) polymers indicated intermolecular aggregation for these polymers in an MeCN solution.

The pH dependent nuclearity variation of {Mo(154-x)}-type polyoxomolybdates and tectonic effect on their aggregations.

The pH dependence of the structures of {Mo(154-x)} mixed-valence oxomolybdate giant clusters were investigated by synchrotron X-ray diffraction of systematically prepared crystals containing [Mo138O410(OH)20(OH2)46](40-) (1), [Mo138O410(OH)20(OH2)38](40-) (2), [Mo138O406(OH)16(OH2)46](28-) (3), [Mo142O400(OH)52(OH2)38](28-) (4), [Mo142O432(OH2)58](40-) (5), [Mo148O436(OH)15(OH2)56](27-) (6), [Mo150O451(OH)5(OH2)61](35-) (7), and both [Mo150O442.5(OH)11.5(OH2)64](24.5-) and [Mo152O446(OH)20(OH2)54](28-) (8). Crystals 1, 4, and 5 contain discrete clusters while intercluster Mo-O-Mo bonds connect the clusters into chains in crystal 7, into two-dimensional networks in crystals 2 and 3, and into a three-dimensional framework structure in crystal 6. Crystal 8 contains both discrete and linearly catenated clusters: discrete {Mo150} are located between the chains of {Mo152}. Direct correlation was observed between the nuclearity of the clusters with the pH of the mother liquor. On the other hand, the geometries of extended structures do not show apparent correlation with the pH. They turned out to be governed by the tectonics of the component clusters. The pH of the mother liquor exerts influence on the extended structure through the structures of the constituent clusters.

Potential role for astroglial D-amino acid oxidase in extracellular D-serine metabolism and cytotoxicity.

D-amino acid oxidase (DAO) is a flavoenzyme that catalyzes the oxidation of D-amino acids. In the brain, gene expression of DAO is detected in astrocytes. Among the possible substrates of DAO in vivo, D-serine is proposed to be a neuromodulator of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. In a search for the physiological role of DAO in the brain, we investigated the metabolism of extracellular D-serine in glial cells. Here we show that after D-serine treatment, rat primary type-1 astrocytes exhibited increased cell death. In order to enhance the enzyme activity of DAO in cells, we established stable rat C6 glial cells overexpressing mouse DAO designated as C6/DAO. Treatment with a high dose of D-serine led to the production of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) followed by apoptosis in C6/DAO cells. Among the amino acids tested, D-serine specifically exhibited a significant cell death-inducing effect. DAO inhibitors, i.e., sodium benzoate and chlorpromazine, partially prevented the death of C6/DAO cells treated with D-serine, indicating the involvement of DAO activity in d-serine metabolism. Overall, we consider that extracellular D-serine can gain access to intracellular DAO, being metabolized to produce H(2)O(2). These results support the proposal that astroglial DAO plays an important role in metabolizing a neuromodulator, D-serine.