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John C Gordon

Publications and source records attributed to John C Gordon.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

Dearomatization and functionalization of terpyridine by lutetium(III) alkyl complexes.

Lutetium(III)-bis(alkyl) and -tris(alkyl) fragments supported by either 2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine or 4,4',4' '-tri-tert-butyl-2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine are not stable and undergo facile 1,3-alkyl migration under ambient conditions resulting in dearomatization and ortho (2' or 6') functionalization of the terpyridyl ligand, clearly demonstrating that the terpyridyl ligand framework is not as innocent as previously thought.

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H++: a server for estimating pKas and adding missing hydrogens to macromolecules.

The structure and function of macromolecules depend critically on the ionization (protonation) states of their acidic and basic groups. A number of existing practical methods predict protonation equilibrium pK constants of macromolecules based upon their atomic resolution Protein Data Bank (PDB) structures; the calculations are often performed within the framework of the continuum electrostatics model. Unfortunately, these methodologies are complex, involve multiple steps and require considerable investment of effort. Our web server http://biophysics.cs.vt.edu/H++ provides access to a tool that automates this process, allowing both experts and novices to quickly obtain estimates of pKs as well as other related characteristics of biomolecules such as isoelectric points, titration curves and energies of protonation microstates. Protons are added to the input structure according to the calculated ionization states of its titratable groups at the user-specified pH; the output is in the PQR (PDB + charges + radii) format. In addition, corresponding coordinate and topology files are generated in the format supported by the molecular modeling package AMBER. The server is intended for a broad community of biochemists, molecular modelers, structural biologists and drug designers; it can also be used as an educational tool in biochemistry courses.

Databases, Protein↗

Fluoroaryl-substituted aminoalane dimers: syntheses and structures.

Six dimeric aminoalanes of formula [Me(2)Al-mu-N(H)Ar(F)](2)(Ar(F)= 4-C(6)H(4)F (1), 2-C(6)H(4)F (2), 3,5-C(6)H(3)F(2)(3), 2,3,4,5-C(6)HF(4)(4), 2,3,5,6-C(6)HF(4)(5) and C(6)F(5)(6)) have been prepared by treatment of the appropriate fluoroaniline with AlMe(3) in toluene solution at 25 degrees C. The structures of 1-6 were determined by X-ray crystallography.

Aluminum↗

Synthesis and biodistribution of radiolabeled alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor ligands.

UNLABELLED: Our objective was to develop an array of alpha(7)-selective nicotinic cholinergic receptor (nAChR)-based imaging agents for PET and SPECT. METHODS: (2'R)-N-(11)C-Methyl-N-(phenylmethyl)-spiro[1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]octane-3,2'(3'H)-furo[2,3-b]pyridin]-5'-amine 1 was synthesized by reaction of the corresponding desmethyl precursor with (11)C-CO(2) and reduction. N-(R)-1-Aza-bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl-4-(11)C-methylsulfanyl-benzamide 2 was synthesized by reduction of the corresponding disulfide precursor and reaction with (11)C-iodomethane. N-(R)-1-Aza-bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl-4-(125)I-iodo-benzamide 3 was synthesized by halogen exchange of the corresponding bromide. (2'R)-5'-(2-(125)I-iodo-3-furanyl)spiro[1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]octane]-3,2'(3'H)-furo[2,3-b]pyridine 4 was synthesized by the chloramine-T method. Kinetic biodistribution studies were done in male CD-1 mice by tail vein injection of 3.7 MBq (100 microCi) of the (11)C-labeled radiotracer or 0.67 MBq (2 microCi) of the (125)I-labeled radiotracer followed by brain dissection and tissue counting. Receptor blockade was determined by pretreatment of the mice with an excess of either unlabeled precursor or nicotine. RESULTS: We synthesized 4 radiolabeled, moderate- to high-affinity, alpha(7)-nAChR-based ligands. The compounds were a series of quinuclidine derivatives with an inhibition constant (K(i)) < 6 nmol/L (33 pmol/L for 4) for alpha(7)-nAChR and selectivities of alpha(7)/alpha(4)beta(2) subtypes of > or =14,000. All of the compounds were produced in adequate radiochemical yield and specific radioactivity (>74 GBq/micromol [2,000 Ci/mmol]). No site selectivity or receptor blockade was shown for 1 and 2 (0.91 +/- 0.05 and 0.14 +/- 0.03 %ID/g [percentage injected dose per gram] in the hippocampus [target tissue], respectively). Compound 3 showed low hippocampal uptake (0.25 +/- 0.05 %ID/g) but prolonged retention within that structure. Pretreatment with nicotine decreased its uptake by up to 50% in the hippocampus. Similar reductions were also observed within the cerebellum (nontarget tissue). Compound 4 showed hippocampal uptake of 2.41 +/- 0.03 %ID/g and target-to-nontarget uptake ratios of up to 2. Pretreatment of animals with unlabeled 4 resulted in a decrease of hippocampal uptake to 60% of its preblockade value without a corresponding decrease in cerebellar uptake. CONCLUSION: With further structural optimization, selective imaging of alpha(7)-nAChR may be possible.

Animals↗

Lanthanide alkylidene and imido complexes.

In stark contrast to the transition metals, examples of imido or alkylidene complexes of the lanthanides remain scarce. A recent literature survey reveals that only nine examples of lanthanide imido complexes have been reported, and the majority of these have arisen serendipitously. Concrete examples of species containing lanthanide-carbon multiple bonds are even more sparse. Recently, some rational approaches to the synthesis of lanthanide complexes containing Ln=X functionalities have been detailed (X = C, N). Additionally, a DFT (Density Functional Theory) study of a samarium imido complex has provided insight into the electronic and steric factors that may be necessary to support these unusual reactive groups. This Perspective reviews the work in this field and offers some suggestions to expand this potentially useful class of compounds.

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A comparative study of pi-arene-bridged lanthanum arylamide and aryloxide dimers. Solution behavior, exchange mechanisms, and X-ray crystal structures of La2(NH-2,6-iPr2C6H3)6, La(NH-2,6-iPr2C6H3)3(THF)3, and La(NH-2,6-iPr2C6H3)3(py)2.

Reaction of 3 equiv of 2,6-diisopropylaniline with La[N(SiMe(3))(2)](3) produces the dimeric species La(2)(NHAr)(6) (1). X-ray crystallography reveals a centrosymmetric structure, where the dimeric unit is bridged by intermolecular eta(6)-arene interactions of a unique arylamide ligand attached to an adjacent metal center. Exposure of 1 to THF results in formation of the monomeric tris-THF adduct La(NHAr)(3)(THF)(3) (2), which was shown by X-ray crystallography to maintain a fac-octahedral structure in the solid state. (1)H NMR spectroscopy illustrates that the binding of THF to 1 to form 2 is reversible and removal of THF under vacuum regenerates dimeric 1. Addition of pyridine to 1 yields the monomeric bis-pyridine adduct La(NHAr)(3)(py)(2) (3), which exhibits a distorted trigonal-bipyramidal La metal center. Solution (1)H NMR, IR, and Raman spectroscopy indicate that the pi-arene-bridged dimeric structure of 1 is maintained in solution. Variable-temperature (1)H NMR spectroscopic investigations of 1 are consistent with a monomer-dimer equilibrium at elevated temperature. In contrast, variable-temperature (1)H NMR spectroscopic investigations of the aryloxide analogue La(2)(OAr)(6) (4) show that the bridging and terminal aryloxide groups exchange by a mechanism in which the dimeric nature of the compound is retained. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were carried out on model compounds La(2)(OC(6)H(5))(6), La(2)(NHC(6)H(5))(6), and (C(6)H(5)R)La(XC(6)H(5))(3), where X = O or NH and R = H, OH, or NH(2). The formation of eta(6)-arene interactions is energetically favored over monomeric LaX(3) (X = OPh or NHPh) with the aryloxide pi-arene interaction being stronger than the arylamide pi-arene interaction. Calculation of vibrational frequencies reveals the origin of the observed IR spectral behavior of both La(2)(OC(6)H(5))(6) and La(2)(NHC(6)H(5))(6), with the higher energy nu(C=C) stretch due to terminal ligands and the lower energy stretch associated with the bridging ligands.

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Auto-ionization in lutetium iodide complexes: effect of the Iioic radius on lanthanide-iodide binding.

Reaction of lutetium metal with 1.5 equiv of elemental iodine in 2-propanol leads to the isolation of LuI(3)(HO(i)Pr)(4) (1). An X-ray crystal structure reveals an ionic structure with well-separated [LuI(2)(HO(i)Pr)(4)] cations and [I] anions. Dissolution of 1 in pyridine generates the unusual alkoxide species [LuI(O(i)Pr)(py)(5)][I] (2) with the elimination of HI. An X-ray crystal structure of 2 confirmed the ionic nature of the compound, with the cationic portion of the complex exhibiting a seven-coordinated lutetium center with trans-disposed iodo and alkoxide ligands and five pyridine molecules equally displaced within the equatorial plane. Exposure of 2 to iodotrimethylsilane yields the expected triiodide species [LuI(2)(py)(5)][I] (3), which may also be prepared by refluxing commercially available LuI(3) in THF, followed by crystallization from a THF/pyridine mixture. The solid-state structure of 3 is similar to that of 2, with the alkoxide ligand having been replaced by an iodide. The formation of ionic structures 1-3 as opposed to the higher-coordinated neutral species may be traced to the small lutetium center and the presence of relatively strong Lewis bases within the coordination sphere of the metal.

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Tris(bis(trimethylsilyl)amido)samarium: X-ray structure and DFT study.

The compound Sm[N(SiMe(3))(2)](3) has been investigated experimentally by X-ray crystallography and computationally by DFT methods. The structure is analogous to that of other tris[bis(trimethylsilyl)amido]lanthanides, featuring positional disorder of the metal atom above and below the plane defined by the three N donor atoms, resulting in a trigonal pyramidal configuration. One of the methyl groups of each amido ligand is placed above the apex of the pyramid at close distance to the metal center suggesting the presence of agostic interactions. The DFT calculations have been carried out on the real molecule and on a Si[N(SiH(3))(SiH(2)Me)](3) model where the unique Me group was placed above the apex of the pyramid to probe the agostic interaction. In both cases, the optimized geometry reproduces very well the experimental structure and indicates the presence of beta-Si-C agostic interactions. A comparison of the optimized geometries obtained in the presence/absence of the Sm d and the Si d orbitals serves to illustrate the relevance of these orbitals for (i). the establishment of the pyramidal configuration at Sm, (ii). the Sm-N bond length, and (iii). the Sm-(beta-Si-C) bond length. The bonding analysis, which was carried out by both Mulliken and NBO methods, not only confirms the importance of the metal d orbitals for the Sm-N and Sm-(beta-Si-C) chemical bonding but also illustrates the relevance of electrostatic terms in the agostic interaction. Sm-N and N-Si pi bonding is present according to the bonding analysis but is not important for enforcing the planar configuration at N, nor the pyramidal configuration at Sm.

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Salt-free synthesis of samarium-aluminum mixed-metal alkoxides: X-ray crystal structures of [[(i-Pr-O)(i-Bu)Al(mu-O-i-Pr)(2)Sm(O-i-Pr)(HO-i-Pr)](mu-O-i-Pr)](2), [(THF)(2)Sm(O-t-Bu)(2)(mu-O-t-Bu)(2)Al(i-Bu)(2)], Sm(OAr)(3)(THF)(3) (Ar = 2,4,6-Me(3)C(6)H(2)), [Nd(mu-OAr)(OAr)(2)(py)(2)](2) (Ar = 2,4,6-Me(3)C(6)H(2)), and (ArO)(3)Sm[(mu-O-t-Bu)(2)Al(2)(O-t-Bu)(4)] (Ar = 2,6-i-Pr(2)C(6)H(3)).

Reaction of equimolar quantities of Sm[N(SiMe(3))(2)](3) and Al(i-Bu)(3) with 6 equiv of iso-propyl alcohol in toluene leads to the formation of the mixed-metal alkoxide complex [[(i-Pr-O)(i-Bu)Al(mu-O-i-Pr)(2)Sm(O-i-Pr)(HO-i-Pr)](mu-O-i-Pr)](2) (1). An analogous reaction between 1:1 Sm[N(SiMe(3))(2)](3)/Al(i-Bu)(3) and 6 equiv of tert-butyl alcohol, followed by addition of THF, produces the THF adduct [(THF)(2)Sm(O-t-Bu)(2)(mu-O-t-Bu)(2)Al(i-Bu)(2)] (2). Compound 1 crystallizes in the space group P1 while 2 crystallizes in space group Cmcm. Cell parameters for 1: a = 11.028(2) A, b = 12.168(2) A, c = 12.879(2) A, alpha = 82.84(1) degrees, beta = 64.88(1) degrees, gamma = 70.80(1) degrees, Z = 1. Cell parameters for 2: a = 11.304(2) A, b = 22.429(4) A, c = 15.768(2) A, Z = 4. Attempts to prepare the bulkier derivatives result in the formation of lanthanide aryloxide species only; reaction between equimolar amounts of Ln[N(SiMe(3))(2)](3) (Ln = Sm, Nd) and Al(i-Bu)(3) with 6 equiv of HO-2,4,6-Me(3)C(6)H(2), followed by the addition of THF or pyridine, yields the Lewis base adducts Sm(OAr)(3)(THF)(3) (3) and [Nd(mu-OAr)(OAr)(2)(py)(2)](2) (4). Compound 3 crystallizes in the space group Pbca while 4 crystallizes in space group P2(1)/c. Cell parameters for 3: a = 16.5822(9) A, b = 15.5668(9) A, c = 29.902(2) A, Z = 8. Cell parameters for 4: a = 13.4496(8) A, b = 20.034(1) A, c = 16.206(1) A, beta = 113.782(1) degrees, Z = 2. Reaction of Al(2)(O-t-Bu)(6) with [Sm(OAr)(3)](2) (Ar = 2,6-i-Pr(2)C(6)H(3)) yields the adduct (ArO)(3)Sm[(mu-O-t-Bu)(2)Al(2)(O-t-Bu)(4)] (5), which crystallizes in the space group P2(1)/n. Cell parameters for 5: a = 14.0960(7) A, b = 27.3037(15) A, c = 16.7893(9) A, beta = 92.216(1) degrees, Z = 4.

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