Peptide Bioconjugates of Electron-Poor Metallocenes: Synthesis, Characterization, and Anti-Proliferative Activity.

We report the synthesis of metallocene compounds Cp2 M with two different electron-withdrawing substituents on both cyclopentadienyl rings (hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and chlorobenzoyl (1-5); HFA and COOH (6 and 7), M=Fe or Ru). The COOH-containing derivatives were used to synthesize peptide bioconjugates with enkephalin (8 and 9) and neurotensin (10 and 11) as well as fluorescein-labeled neurotensin (12). All the molecules were fully characterized, including X-ray structures for 6 and 7.

Structure-activity relationship of trifluoromethyl-containing metallocenes: electrochemistry, lipophilicity, cytotoxicity, and ROS production.

We report the synthesis of trifluoromethylated metallocenes (M=Fe, Ru) and related metal-free compounds for comparison of their biological properties with the aim to establish structure-activity relationships toward the anti-proliferative activity of this compound class. All new compounds were comprehensively characterized by NMR spectroscopy ((1) H, (13) C, (19) F), mass spectrometry, IR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. A single-crystal X-ray structure was obtained on the Ru derivative, 1-(1-hydroxy-1-hexafluoromethylethyl)ruthenocene (3).

Towards perfunctionalized dodecahedranes--en route to C20 fullerene.

"One-pot" substitution of the twenty hydrogen atoms in pentagonal dodecahedrane (C(20)H(20)) by OH, F, Cl, and Br atoms is explored. Electrophilic insertion of oxygen atoms with DMDO and TFMDO as oxidizing reagents ended, far off the desired C(20)(OH)(20), in complex polyol mixtures (up to C(20)H(10)(OH)(10) decols, a trace of C(20)H(OH)(19)?). Perfluorination was successful in a NaF matrix but (nearly pure) C(20)F(20) could be secured only in very low yield.