Highly Ordered Surface Self-Assembly of Fe₄ Single Molecule Magnets.

Single molecule magnets (SMMs) have attracted considerable attention due to low-temperature magnetic hysteresis and fascinating quantum effects. The investigation of these properties requires the possibility to deposit well-defined monolayers or spatially isolated molecules within a well-controlled adsorption geometry. Here we present a successful fabrication of self-organized arrays of Fe4 SMMs on hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) on Rh(111) as template.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of optimized inhibitors of the mitotic kinesin Kif18A.

The mitotic spindle, a highly dynamic structure composed of microtubules, mediates the segregation of the previously duplicated genome into the two nascent daughter cells. Errors in this process contribute to pathology including tumor formation. Key for the shape and function of the mitotic spindle are kinesins, molecular motor proteins that convert chemical energy into mechanical work.

Synthesis and photoswitching studies of OPE-embedded difurylperfluorocyclopentenes.

We report the synthesis and photochemical behavior of five photochromic molecular switches 7a-e with attached molecular wires based on differently substituted oligo(phenylene ethynylene) (OPE) building blocks. The switchable molecular wires 7a-e were built in a convergent approach from substituted iodotolans 6a-e and 1,2-bis(2-methyl-5-ethynylfuran-3-yl)perfluorocyclopentene 5 by 2-fold Sonogashira coupling. Compound 5 was prepared from the corresponding bis-aldehyde 2 by Wittig-type olefination with [PPh3CHBr2]Br·CH3CN, followed by elimination to the bromoalkyne under mild phase-transfer conditions at 0 °C.

Charge transport in azobenzene-based single-molecule junctions.

Azobenzene-derivative molecules change their conformation as a result of a cis-trans transition when exposed to ultraviolet or visible light irradiation and this is expected to induce a significant variation in the conductance of molecular devices. Despite extensive investigations carried out on this type of molecule, a detailed understanding of the charge transport for the two isomers is still lacking. We report a combined experimental and theoretical analysis of electron transport through azobenzene-derivative single-molecule break junctions with Au electrodes.

Current-voltage characteristics of single-molecule diarylethene junctions measured with adjustable gold electrodes in solution.

We report on an experimental analysis of the charge transport through sulfur-free photochromic molecular junctions. The conductance of individual molecules contacted with gold electrodes and the current-voltage characteristics of these junctions are measured in a mechanically controlled break-junction system at room temperature and in liquid environment. We compare the transport properties of a series of molecules, labeled TSC, MN, and 4Py, with the same switching core but varying side-arms and end-groups designed for providing the mechanical and electrical contact to the gold electrodes.

Features of the behavior of 4-amino-5-carboxamido-1,2,3-triazole in multicomponent heterocyclizations with carbonyl compounds.

Multicomponent reactions involving polyfunctional 4-amino-5-carboxamido-1,2,3-triazole and cyclic carbonyl-containing CH-acids were studied under conventional thermal heating, microwave and ultrasonic irradiation. The features of the reactions studied were discussed and the optimized procedures for the synthesis of final triazolopyrimidines were elaborated. In contrast to the similar MCRs of numerous other aminoazoles, a change of direction of the heterocyclizations in the case of 4-amino-5-carboxamido-1,2,3-triazole was not observed when microwave or thermal heating was substituted by ultrasonication at ambient temperature.

Pronounced effects on switching efficiency of diarylcycloalkenes upon cycloalkene ring contraction.

Several difurylperfluorocyclobutenes showing reversible photochromism were synthesized. In comparison to their cyclopentene homologues they show enhanced quantum yields for ring opening but reduced quantum yields for ring closure. X-ray structure analysis and quantum chemical calculations provide a conclusive explanation for such a behaviour.

Charge transport characteristics of diarylethene photoswitching single-molecule junctions.

We report on the experimental analysis of the charge transport through single-molecule junctions of the open and closed isomers of photoswitching molecules. Sulfur-free diarylethene molecules are developed and studied via electrical and optical measurements as well as density functional theory calculations. The single-molecule conductance and the current-voltage characteristics are measured in a mechanically controlled break-junction system at low temperatures.

HiTSEE KNIME: a visualization tool for hit selection and analysis in high-throughput screening experiments for the KNIME platform.

We present HiTSEE (High-Throughput Screening Exploration Environment), a visualization tool for the analysis of large chemical screens used to examine biochemical processes. The tool supports the investigation of structure-activity relationships (SAR analysis) and, through a flexible interaction mechanism, the navigation of large chemical spaces. Our approach is based on the projection of one or a few molecules of interest and the expansion around their neighborhood and allows for the exploration of large chemical libraries without the need to create an all encompassing overview of the whole library.

Synthesis and X-ray structure analysis of a heptacoordinate titanium(IV)-bis-chelate with enhanced in vivo antitumor efficacy.

Chelate stabilization of a titanium(IV)-salan alkoxide by ligand exchange with 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid (dipic) resulted in heptacoordinate complex 3 which is not redox-active, stable on silica gel and has increased aqueous stability. 3 is highly toxic in HeLa S3 and Hep G2 and has enhanced antitumor efficacy in a mouse cervical-cancer model.

Cytotoxic dinuclear titanium-salan complexes: structural and biological characterization.

Controlled hydrolysis of donor-substituted titanium-salan complexes led to the formation of well-defined dinuclear complexes. Structure determination by means of X-ray and NMR-studies revealed the presence of a single μ-oxo bridge and one labile alkoxide ligand per titanium center. Concomitant cytotoxicity assays of the isolated dinuclear complexes showed cytotoxicities in the low micro-molar region, surpassing in this respect even their monomeric ancestors, thus making them possible highly active metabolites of titanium-salan anti-cancer drugs.

Synthesis and photoswitching studies of difurylperfluorocyclopentenes with extended π-systems.

In an attempt to design molecular optoelectronic switches functioning in molecular junctions between two metal tips, we synthesized a set of photochromic compounds by extending the π-system of 1,2-bis-(2-methyl-5-formylfuran-3-yl)perfluorocyclopentene through suitable coupling reactions involving the formyl functions, thereby also introducing terminal groups with a binding capacity to gold. Avoiding the presence of gold-binding sulphur atoms in the photoreactive centre, as they are present in the frequently used analogous thienyl compounds, the newly synthesized compounds should be more suitable for the purpose indicated. The kinetics of reversible photoswitching of the new compounds by UV and visible light was quantitatively investigated in solution.

Titanium salan complexes displays strong antitumor properties in vitro and in vivo in mice.

The anticancer activity of titanium complexes has been known since the groundbreaking studies of Köpf and Köpf-Maier on titanocen dichloride. Unfortunately, possibly due to their fast hydrolysis, derivatives of titanocen dichloride failed in clinical studies. Recently, the new family of titanium salan complexes containing tetradentate ONNO ligands with anti-cancer properties has been discovered.

The cobalt way to angucyclinones: asymmetric total synthesis of the antibiotics (+)-rubiginone B2, (-)-tetrangomycin, and (-)-8-O-methyltetrangomycin.

A cobalt(I)-mediated convergent and asymmetric total synthesis of angucyclinones with an aromatic B ring has been developed. In the course of our research, we synthesized three naturally occurring anguclinone derivatives, namely, (+)-rubiginone B(2) (1), (-)-8-O-methyltetrangomycin (2), and (-)-tetrangomycin (3). By combining 3-hydroxybenzoic acid, 3-methoxybenzoic acid, citronellal, and geraniol as starting materials in a convergent way, we were able to synthesize chiral triyne chains, which were cyclized with [CpCo(C(2)H(4))(2)] (Cp=cyclopentadienyl) by means of an intramolecular [2+2+2] cycloaddition to their corresponding tetrahydrobenzo[a]anthracenes.

Dimethyl titanocene Y: a valuable precursor for libraries of cytotoxic titanocene derivatives.

Reaction of the known titanocene Y 2 with methyl lithium at -15 degrees C yields bis-[(p-methoxybenzyl)cyclopentadienyl]titanium(IV) dimethyl (dimethyl titanocene Y, 3), a hitherto unknown, surprisingly robust titanium (IV) dimethyl species. Dimethyl titanocene Y was utilized in the preparation of several bis-[(p-methoxybenzyl)cyclopentadienyl]titanium(IV) dicarboxylates by the reaction with the free carboxylic acids in fair to good yields. Cytotoxicity of all new compounds has been estimated in Hela S3 cells.

Combined directed ortho metalation-halogen dance (HD) synthetic strategies. HD-anionic ortho fries rearrangement and double HD sequences.

A general and efficient directed ortho metalation (DoM)-halogen dance (HD)-electrophile quench sequence for the synthesis of trisubstituted pyridyl O-carbamates is described. A second HD sequence furnishes highly functionalized tetrasubstituted pyridines. Furthermore, a hitherto unobserved double HD rearrangement is reported.

Cytotoxic titanium salan complexes: surprising interaction of salan and alkoxy ligands.

The synthesis, biochemical evaluation, and hydrolysis studies of a wide selection of alkyl- and halogen-substituted titanium salan alkoxides are presented herein. A systematic change in the employed alkoxides revealed that both the bulk of the salan ligands and the steric demand of the labile ligands are of great importance for the obtained biological activity. Surprisingly, these two factors are not independent from each other; lowering the steric demand of the alkoxide of a hitherto nontoxic complex renders it cytotoxic.

Titanocene difluorides with improved cytotoxic activity.

Titanocene difluorides can be obtained by halide metathesis of the respective titanocene dichlorides with trimethyltin fluoride (Me(3)SnF), giving access to a new class of cytotoxic active substances. Furthermore, an improved method for the synthesis of diaryl-substituted titanocene dichlorides is presented.

Diversification of a thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-one scaffold via regioselective alkylation reactions.

The 2-aryl-2,3,5,6,7,8-hexahydro[1]benzothieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4(1H)-ones and 2-aryl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro[1]benzothieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4(3H)-ones have been diversified by alkylation reactions, applying benzylchlorides and N-substituted 2-chloroacetamides as alkylating agents. Under the found uniform conditions the substitution direction does not depend on the structure of the alkylating agent and gives monoalkylated products in high yields with simple workup. The alkylation of the 2,3-dihydropyrimidin-4(1H)-one derivatives proceeds onto the N1-position; however, in the case of pyrimidin-4(3H)-ones the O-alkylated products are formed selectively.

Tuning of chemo- and regioselectivities in multicomponent condensations of 5-aminopyrazoles, dimedone, and aldehydes.

Regio- and chemoselective multicomponent protocols for the synthesis of 1,4,6,7,8,9-hexahydro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinolin-5-ones, 5,6,7,9-tetrahydropyrazolo[5,1-b]quinazolin-8-ones, and 5a-hydroxy-4,5,5a,6,7,8-hexahydropyrazolo[4,3-c]quinolizin-9-ones starting from 5-amino-3-phenylpyrazole, cyclic 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds and aromatic aldehydes are described. Whereas the three-component coupling in ethanol under reflux conditions provides mixtures of pyrazoloquinolinones and pyrazoloquinazolinones, the condensation can be successfully tuned toward the formation pyrazoloquinolinones (Hantzsch-type dihydropyridines) by performing the reaction at 150 degrees C in the presence of triethylamine base applying sealed vessel microwave or conventional heating. On the other hand, using sonication at room temperature under neutral conditions favors the formation of the isomeric pyrazoloquinazolinones (Biginelli-type dihydropyrimidines).

A comparative study on the deposition of Mn12 single molecule magnets on the Au(111) surface.

Different approaches to the deposition of Mn(12) single molecule magnets on the Au(111) surface and their characterization by a broad variety of techniques are investigated with respect to their suitability for a profound corroboration of the integrity of the Mn(12) core. In this context, the most recent improvements in the experimental approaches are presented and the latest results on the electronic properties of Mn(12) are linked to each other. The results confirm the high instability of Mn(12) single molecule magnets on surfaces and reveal the need for an amendment of the requirements to define the structural integrity of Mn(12) molecules on surfaces.

Single-molecule magnets: a new approach to investigate the electronic structure of Mn12 molecules by scanning tunneling spectroscopy.

A new approach to the deposition of Mn12 single-molecule magnet monolayers on the functionalized Au(111) surface optimized for the investigation by means of scanning tunneling spectroscopy was developed. To demonstrate this method, the new Mn12 complex [Mn12O12(O2CC6H4F)16(EtOH)4].4.

Efficient methodology for selective alkylation of hydrazine derivatives.

Formation and use of a nitrogen dianion for selective hydrazine alkylation is reported. The scope and limitations of a new method were demonstrated. The novel method provides fast and easy access to substituted hydrazines, which are widely used as drugs, pesticides, and precursors for a variety of compounds in organic synthesis.