SummaryThe potential of appropriately substituted cyclodextrins to act as scavengers for neurotoxic organophosphonates under physiological conditions was evaluated. To this end, a series of derivatives containing substituents with an aldoxime or a ketoxime moiety along the narrow opening of the β-cyclodextrin cavity was synthesized, and the ability of these compounds to reduce the inhibitory effect of the neurotoxic organophosphonate cyclosarin on its key target, acetylcholinesterase, was assessed in vitro. All compounds exhibited a larger effect than native β-cyclodextrin, and characteristic differences were noted. These differences in activity were correlated with the structural and electronic parameters of the substituents. In addition, the relatively strong effect of the cyclodextrin derivatives on cyclosarin degradation and, in particular, the observed enantioselectivity are good indications that noncovalent interactions between the cyclodextrin ring and the substrate, presumably involving the inclusion of the cyclohexyl moiety of cyclosarin into the cyclodextrin cavity, contribute to the mode of action. Among the nine compounds investigated, one exhibited remarkable activity, completely preventing acetylcholinesterase inhibition by the (−)-enantiomer of cyclosarin within seconds under the conditions of the assay. Thus, these investigations demonstrate that decoration of cyclodextrins with appropriate substituents represents a promising approach for the development of scavengers able to detoxify highly toxic nerve agents.

Syntheses of pyrazoles featuring a functionalized side chain attached to carbon 3 and varying alkyl and aryl substituents attached to carbon 5 are presented. Installation of R = methyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, adamantyl, or phenyl groups at C5 is reported here, starting by coupling protected alkynols with acid chlorides RCOCl, forming alkynyl ketones, which are reacted with hydrazine to form the pyrazole nucleus. Alcohol deprotection and conversion to a chloride gave 5-substituted 3-(chloromethyl)- or 3-(2-chloroethyl)pyrazoles. This sequence can be done within 2 d on a 30 g scale in excellent overall yield. Through nucleophilic substitution reactions, the chlorides are useful precursors to other polyfunctional pyrazoles. In the work here, derivatives with side chains LCH(2)- and LCH(2)CH(2)- at C3 (L = thioether or phosphine) were made as ligands. The significance of the ligands made here is that by placing a ligating side chain on a ring carbon (C3), rather than on a ring nitrogen, the ring nitrogen not bound to the metal and its attached proton will be available for hydrogen bonding, depending on the steric environment created by R at C5.

A pair of trigonal imido iron complexes ([Fe(NMes)L2]0,−) in two oxidation states is reported. The anionic complex K{crypt.222}[Fe(NMes)L2] is best described as an iron(ii) imide.

Quasi-linear anionic 3d-metal(I) silylamides are a new and promising class of molecules. Due to their highly negative reduction potential we wanted to test their capability to reduce substrates under coordination of their monoanionic radicaloid form. In a proof of principle study, we present the results of the reaction of metal(I) silylamides of chromium to cobalt with 2,2′-bipyridine (bipy), the redox non-innocence and reducibility of which was already established. In the course of these studies complexes of the type K{18-crown-6}[M(hmds)2(bipy)] (hmds = –N(SiMe3)2) were obtained. These compounds were isolated and thoroughly characterized to confirm the electron transfer onto the bipyridine ligand, which now acts as a radical monoanion. For comparison of the structural changes of the bipyridine ligand, the analogous zinc complexes were also synthesized. Overall our results indicate that anionic metal(I) silylamides are capable of reducing and ligate substrates, even when the electrochemical reduction potential of the latter is by up to 1 V higher.

Inter- and intramolecular hydrogen bonding of an N-H group in pyrazole complexes was studied using ligands with two different groups at pyrazole C-3 and C-5. At C-5, groups such as methyl, i-propyl, phenyl, or tert-butyl were present. At C-3, side chains L-CH(2)- and L-CH(2)CH(2)- (L = thioether or phosphine) ensured formation of chelates to a cis-dichloropalladium(II) fragment through side-chain atom L and the pyrazole nitrogen closest to the side chain. The significance of the ligands is that by placing a ligating side chain on a ring carbon (C-3), rather than on a ring nitrogen, the ring nitrogen not bound to the metal and its attached proton are available for hydrogen bonding. As desired, seven chelate complexes examined by X-ray diffraction all showed intramolecular hydrogen bonding between the pyrazole N-H and a chloride ligand in the cis position. In addition, however, intermolecular hydrogen bonding could be controlled by the substituent at C-5: complexes with either a methyl at C-5 or no substituent there showed significant intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions, which were completely avoided by placing a tert-butyl group at C-5. The acidity of two complexes in acetonitrile solutions was estimated to be closer to that of pyridinium ion than those of imidazolium or triethylammonium ions.

Unusual binding properties, enabling the stabilization of elusive species, and beneficial properties for homogeneous catalysts have been predicted and demonstrated for ligand-stabilized main group fragments, such as carbodiphosphoranes and -carbenes. However, the quantification and comparison of their binding properties by experimental means still represent major challenges. In this article, we describe a series of iridium(III) pincer complexes of the type [(PEP)IrCl(CO)(H)] q enabling the quantification of the donor strength of the central donor group E (q = 0, +1, +2). Our investigations show that phosphinestabilized boron(I) and carbon(0) compounds are exceptionally strong neutral donor groups in comparison to common spectator ligands in homogeneous catalysis such as carbenes and phosphines. Our experimental and computational results for the first time allow and justify the comparison of the donor strength of cationic, neutral, and anionic ligands. On the basis of quantum chemical investigations, we further demonstrate that the heavier homologues of phosphine-stabilized borylenes and carbon(0) compounds exhibit slightly diminished donor properties.

Metal carbonyl complexes are almost exclusively found in a low-spin state due to the strong-field nature of the CO ligand. Here the characterisation of highly labile three-coordinate metal(I) monocarbonyl complexes...

Sulfonatocalix [4]arenes with an appended hydroxamic acid residue can detoxify VX and related V-type neurotoxico rganophosphonates with half-lives down to 3min in aqueous buffer at 37 8 8Cand pH 7.4. The detoxification activity is attributed to the millimolar affinity of the calixarene moiety for the positively charged organophosphonates in combination with the correct arrangement of the hydroxamic acid group. The reaction involves phosphonylation of the hydroxamic acid followed by aLossen rearrangement, thus rendering the mode of action stoichiometric rather than catalytic. Nevertheless, these calixarenes are currently the most efficient low-molecular-weight compounds for detoxifying persistent V-type nerve agents under mild conditions.T hey thus represent lead structures for novel antidotes that allow treatment of poisonings by these highly toxic chemicals.With ap ercutaneous LD 50 value of 10 mg/human, the organophosphonate (OP) O-ethyl S-[2-(diisopropylamino)ethyl] methylphosphonothioate (VX;F igure 1) is one of the most toxic and most persistent chemical warfare agents. [1] Analogues that likewise have the amino group in the side chain and the relatively stable phosphono-thioester bond are similarly harmful.Thetoxicity of nerve agents is mainly related to their high propensity to covalently modify aserine residue in the active site of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE).[2] In this form, AChE is unable to perform its function, namely to degrade the neurotransmitter acetylcholine,w hose accumulation leads to severe toxic effects on the central and peripheral nervous system and ultimately to death.Ap romising concept to treat poisonings by nerve agents involves the use of proteins,s oc alled bioscavengers,t hat detoxify OPs before clinical signs occur.[3] Bioscavengers have drawbacks,h owever, for example,l ow in vivo stability and immunogenicity,t hus rendering synthetic scavengers attractive alternatives.[4] With only af ew exceptions, [5] studies on synthetic scavengers have so far concentrated on cyclodextrin derivatives.[6] Their mode of action is expected to resemble that of proteins,w ith an initial complexation step that positions the phosphorus atom of the nerve agent close to asubstituent on the cyclodextrin ring to facilitate the reaction. Despite notable success in this context, [6] cyclodextrins that detoxify V-type nerve agents have so far remained elusive.A possible explanation could be that V-type nerve agents are poor substrates for cyclodextrins because of their protonated side chain amino groups and, hence,p olar nature at physiological pH values. [7] If this assumption is correct, hosts for ammonium ions in water should be more promising scaffolds for scavengers for V-type nerve agents.This idea is consistent with established design principles of supramolecular catalysts and reagents. [8] Ajami and Rebek proposed the use of resorcinarenederived cavitands as OP scavengers.[5c] They described the synthesis of functionalized derivatives that could be used as ab asis for such scav...