Regular acyclic and macrocyclic [AB] oligomers by formation of push-pull chromophores in the chain-growth step.

The substrate scope of the [2+2] cycloaddition-cycloreversion (CA-CR) reaction between electron-deficient (2,2-dicyanovinyl)benzene (DCVB) or (1,2,2-tricyanovinyl)benzene (TCVB) derivatives and N,N-dimethylanilino (DMA)-substituted acetylenes was investigated. The structural features of the cyanobutadiene products of these transformations were examined and the rates of selected CA-CR reactions were measured. Rate constants for reactions utilizing pentafluorinated TCVB and DCVB were found to be one to two orders of magnitude larger than those for the unsubstituted analogues.

Enantiomerically pure alleno-acetylenic macrocycles: synthesis, solid-state structures, chiroptical properties, and electron localization function analysis.

New enantiomerically pure alleno-acetylenic macrocycles were prepared by oxidative homocoupling of optically active 1,3-diethynylallenes. Enantiomer separation resulted from a combined strategy of synthesis and chiral HPLC techniques. Two other achiral stereoisomers were also isolated and fully characterized.

N-arylated 3,5-dihydro-4H-dinaphtho[2,1-c:1',2'-e]azepines: axially chiral donors with high helical twisting powers for nonplanar push-pull chromophores.

Axially chiral, N-arylated 3,5-dihydro-4H-dinaphtho[2,1-c:1',2'-e]azepines have been prepared by short synthetic protocols from enantiopure 1,1'-bi(2,2'-naphthol) (BINOL) and anilines. Alkynes substituted with two N-phenyldinaphthazepine donors readily undergo a formal [2+2] cycloaddition, followed by retro-electrocyclization, with tetracyanoethene (TCNE) to yield donor-substituted 1,1,4,4-tetracyanobuta-1,3-dienes (TCBDs) featuring intense intramolecular charge-transfer (CT) interactions. A dicyanovinyl derivative substituted with one N-phenyldinaphthazepine donor was obtained by a "one-pot" oxidation/Knoevenagel condensation from the corresponding propargylic alcohol.

Organic super-acceptors with efficient intramolecular charge-transfer interactions by [2+2] cycloadditions of TCNE, TCNQ, and F4-TCNQ to donor-substituted cyanoalkynes.

Rivaling the best one: Thermal [2+2] cycloadditions of TCNE, TCNQ, and F(4)-TCNQ to N,N-dimethylanilino-substituted cyanoalkynes afforded a new class of organic super-acceptors featuring efficient intramolecular charge-transfer interactions. These acceptors rival the acceptor F(4)-TCNQ in the propensity for reversible electron uptake as well as in electron affinity (see figure), which makes them interesting as p-type dopants for potential application in optoelectronic devices.Thermal [2+2] cycloadditions of tetracyanoethene (TCNE), 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ), and 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (F(4)-TCNQ) to N,N-dimethylanilino-substituted (DMA-substituted) alkynes bearing either nitrile, dicyanovinyl (DCV; -CH==C(CN)(2)), or tricyanovinyl (TCV; -C(CN)==C(CN)(2)) functionalities, followed by retro-electrocyclization, afforded a new class of stable organic super-acceptors.

Synthesis of nearly enantiopure allylic amines by aza-Claisen rearrangement of Z-configured allylic trifluoroacetimidates catalyzed by highly active ferrocenylbispalladacycles.

The development of the first highly active enantioselective catalyst for the aza-Claisen rearrangement of Z-configured allylic trifluoroacetimidates generating valuable almost enantiopure protected allylic amines is described. Usually Z-configured allylic imidates react significantly slower than their E-configured counterparts, but in the present study the opposite effect was observed. Z-Configured olefins have the principal practical advantage that a geometrically pure C=C double bond can be readily obtained, for example, by semihydrogenations of alkynes.

A novel reaction of 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ): charge-transfer chromophores by [2 + 2] cycloaddition with alkynes.

A series of donor-acceptor molecules, featuring intense low-energy intramolecular charge-transfer bands, was prepared by regioselective [2 + 2] cycloaddition between 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) and N,N-dialkylanilino-substituted (DAA-substituted) alkynes, followed by ring opening of the initially formed cyclobutenes.

Two-dimensional acetylenic scaffolding: extended donor-substituted perethynylated dehydroannulenes.

Starting from (Z)-bis(N,N-diisopropylanilino)-substituted tetraethynylethene (TEE), perethynylated octadehydro[12]- and dodecadehydro[18]annulenes were prepared by oxidative Hay coupling. The dodecadehydro[18]annulene with six peripheral N,N-diisopropylanilino substituents was characterized by X-ray crystallography. Elongation of the Z-bisdeprotected TEE by Cadiot-Chodkiewicz coupling with 1-bromo-2-(triisopropylsilyl)ethyne provided a Z-configured bis(butadiyne), which after alkyne deprotection afforded under Hay coupling conditions N,N-diisopropylanilino-substituted perethynylated hexadecadehydro[20]- and tetracosadehydro[30]annulenes.

Mapping the fluorophilicity of a hydrophobic pocket: synthesis and biological evaluation of tricyclic thrombin inhibitors directing fluorinated alkyl groups into the p pocket.

In the completion of our fluorine scan of tricyclic inhibitors to map the fluorophilicity/fluorophobicity of the thrombin active site, a series of 11 new ligands featuring alkyl, alkenyl, and fluoroalkyl groups was prepared to explore fluorine effects on binding into the hydrophobic proximal (P) pocket, lined by Tyr 60A and Trp 60D, His 57, and Leu 99. The synthesis of the tricyclic scaffolds was based on the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides, derived from L-proline and 4-bromobenzaldehyde, with N-(4-fluorobenzyl)maleimide. Introduction of alkyl, alkenyl, and partially fluorinated alkyl residues was achieved upon substitution of a sulfonyl group by mixed Mg/Zn organometallics followed by oxidation/deoxyfluorination, as well as oxidation/reduction/deoxyfluorination sequences.

A fluorine scan at the catalytic center of thrombin: C--F, C--OH, and C--OMe bioisosterism and fluorine effects on pKa and log D values.

A series of 16 tricyclic thrombin inhibitors was prepared by using the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides derived from 3- or 4-hydroxyproline and 4-bromobenzaldehyde, with N-(4-fluorobenzyl)maleimide as the key step. The terminal pyrrolidine ring of the inhibitors was systematically substituted to explore the potential bioisosteric behavior of C-F, C-OH, and C-OMe residues pointing into the environment of the catalytic center of a serine protease. X-ray crystal structure analyses revealed a distinct puckering preference of this ring.

Multipolar interactions in the D pocket of thrombin: large differences between tricyclic imide and lactam inhibitors.

Two series of tricyclic inhibitors of the serine protease thrombin, imides (+/-)-1-(+/-)-8 and lactams (+/-)-9-(+/-)-13, were analysed to evaluate contributions of orthogonal multipolar interactions with the backbone C=O moiety of Asn98 to the free enthalpy of protein-ligand complexation. The lactam derivatives are much more potent and more selective inhibitors (K(i) values between 0.065 and 0.

Donor-substituted 1,1,4,4-tetracyanobutadienes (TCBDS): new chromophores with efficient intramolecular charge-transfer interactions by atom-economic synthesis.

A wide variety of monomeric and oligomeric, donor-substituted 1,1,4,4-tetracyanobutadienes (TCBDs) have been synthesized by [2+2] cycloaddition between tetracyanoethylene (TNCE) and donor-substituted alkynes, followed by electrocyclic ring opening of the initially formed cyclobutenes. Reaction yields are often nearly quantitative but can be affected by the electron-donating power and steric demands of the alkyne substituents. The intramolecular charge-transfer (CT) interactions between the donor and TCBD acceptor moieties were comprehensively investigated by X-ray crystallography, electrochemistry, UV-visible spectroscopy, and theoretical calculations.

Selective steroid recognition by a partially bridged resorcin[4]arene cavitand.

The partially bridged resorcin[4]arene cavitand featuring a cleft-shaped recognition site formed by two anti-quinoxaline bridges and four convergent HO-groups was prepared in three steps and characterised by X-ray crystallography; cavitand was found to be a selective receptor for steroidal substrates in CDCl3, with the best binding observed for steroids with a flat A-ring and two H-bonding sites on rings A and C/D.

A new class of organic donor-acceptor molecules with large third-order optical nonlinearities.

Donor-acceptor molecules with 4-(dimethylamino)phenyl donor and 1,1,4,4-tetracyanobuta-1,3-diene acceptor moieties are readily prepared by short, high-yielding routes. The quite small chromophores are characterised by X-ray crystallography and feature intense intramolecular charge-transfer bands, substantial quinoid character in the donor rings, reversible electrochemical reductions and oxidations and powerful third-order optical nonlinearities.

Synthesis of trans-1, trans-2, trans-3, and trans-4 bisadducts of C60 by regio- and stereoselective tether-directed remote functionalization.

The double Bingel reaction of fullerene C60 with bismalonates attached to a Tröger base derived tether afforded trans-1, trans-2, trans-3, and trans-4 bisadducts with excellent regioselectivity. In particular, enantiomerically pure bisadducts with inherently chiral trans-2 or trans-3 addition patterns were prepared starting from enantiomerically pure bismalonates. The absolute configuration of the trans-2 and trans-3 bisadducts was established from their CD spectra.

Combining magnetic and optical tracking for computer aided therapy.

A fast and accurate magnetic tracking system was developed for applications in real-time tumor tracking, computer-aided surgery, and endoscopy. The tracking is based on the application of miniaturized sensors. Once implanted in the patient, the sensors receive signals from an external field generator.

Nucleophilic trifluoromethylation of cyclic imides using (trifluoromethyl)trimethylsilane CF3SiMe3.

A variety of cyclic five-membered imides was trifluoromethylated in good to excellent chemical yields using (trifluoromethyl)trimethylsilane CF3SiMe3 under fluoride ion catalysis. The method was successfully applied to the stereoselective synthesis of trifluoromethylated bi- and tricyclic lactams which could serve as precursors for designed thrombin inhibitors.

Fluorine interactions at the thrombin active site: protein backbone fragments H-C(alpha)-C=O comprise a favorable C-F environment and interactions of C-F with electrophiles.

In a systematic fluorine scan of a rigid inhibitor to map the fluorophilicity/fluorophobicity of the active site in thrombin, one or more F substituents were introduced into the benzyl ring reaching into the D pocket. The 4-fluorobenzyl inhibitor showed a five to tenfold higher affinity than ligands with other fluorination patterns. X-ray crystal-structure analysis of the protein-ligand complex revealed favorable C-F.

A fluorine scan of the phenylamidinium needle of tricyclic thrombin inhibitors: effects of fluorine substitution on pKa and binding affinity and evidence for intermolecular C-F...CN interactions.

The H-atoms of the phenylamidinium needle of tricyclic thrombin inhibitors, which interacts with Asp189 at the bottom of the selectivity pocket S1 of the enzyme, were systematically exchanged with F-atoms in an attempt to improve the pharmacokinetic properties by lowering the pK(a) value. Both the pK(a) values and the inhibitory constants K(i) against thrombin and trypsin were decreased upon F-substitution. Interestingly, linear free energy relationships (LFERs) revealed that binding affinity against thrombin is much more affected by a decrease in pK(a) than the affinity against trypsin.