SYNTHESIS AND PROPERTIES OF POLYACETYLENES CONTAINING CARBAZOLE AND AMINO ACID MOIETIES

Novel 9-proparylcarbazole monomers containing amino acid moieties,2-N(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-L-alanine- 9-proparylcarbazole ester(1),2-N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-L-O-cyclohexyl-L-glutamic acid-9-proparylcarbazole ester(2) and 2-N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-L-phenylalanine-9-proparylcarbazole ester(3) were synthesized and polymerized with (nbd)Rh^+[η~6-C_6H_5B^-(C_6H_5)_3]to give the corresponding polymers with number-average molecular weights ranging from 7050 to 10500 in 70%-86%yields.The polymers were completely so...

A Viscidane Diterpene and Polyacetylenes from Cultures of Hypsizygus marmoreus

Investigation on the cultures of Hypsizygus marmoreus resulted in the isolation of a new viscidane diterpene,8-oxoviscida-3,11(18)-diene-13,14,15,19-tetraol(1)and two new polyacetylenes,(E)-10-(1,1-dimethyl-2-propenyloxy)-2-decene-4,6,8-triyn-1-ol(2)and 10-(1,1-dimethyl-2-propenyloxy)deca-4,6,8-triyn-1-ol(3),together with two known polyacetylenes,(E)-2-decen-4,6,8-triyn-1-ol(4)and 4,6,8-decatriyn-1-ol(5).Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic studies.Compound 1 is the first finding of viscidane diterpene in mushrooms.Compounds 1,3 and 5 were tested for cytotoxicity against human tumor cell lines HL-60,SMMC-7721,A-549,MCF-7 and SW-480.None of the compounds showed cytotoxic activity(IC50[40 lM).

INFLUENCE OF BACKBONE RIGIDITY ON THE LIQUID CRYSTALLINITY OF MESOGEN-CONTAINING POLYACETYLENES

Two acetylene polymers containing cyanobiphenyl-based mesogens, poly{10-[((4'-cyano-4-biphenylyl)oxy)carbonyl]-1-decyne} (PA8CN), which has a relatively flexible polyalkyne backbone, and poly {[4-(((12-((4'-cyano-4-biphenylyl)oxy)dodecyl)oxy) carbonyl) phenyl]-acetylene} (PB12CN), which has a fairly rigid poly(phenylacetylene) backbone, were synthesized using respectively WCl6 and [Rh(nbd)Cl](2) as the catalysts. PA8CN exhibits enantiotropic interdigitated smectic A phase (S-Ad) over a temperature range as wide as ca. 100 degrees C, whereas PB12CN is non-mesomorphic, demonstrating that the backbone rigidity plays an important role in determining the liquid crystallinity of the polyacetylenes.

Effects of substitution and terminal groups for liquid-crystallinity enhanced luminescence of disubstituted polyacetylenes carrying chromophoric terphenyl pendants

Liquid-crystalline and light-emitting poly(2-alkyne)s containing terphenyl cores with hexamethyleneoxy spacers,and cyano or n-propoxy tails -[CH3C=C(CH2)6O-terphenyl-R]n-,where R=CN,CH3PA6CN,R=OCH2CH2CH3,CH3PA6OPr,were synthesized.The effects of the substitution and terminal groups on the properties,especially the mesomorphic and optical properties of the polymers,were investigated.The disubstituted acetylene monomers (CH3A6CN,CH3A6OPr) were pre- pared through multistep reaction routes and were polymerized by WCl6-Ph4Sn in good yields (up to 82%).All the monomers and CH3PA6CN exhibited the enantiotropic SmA phase with a monolayer arrangement at elevated temperatures,whereas CH3PA6OPr formed a bilayer SmAd packing arrangement.Upon excitation at 330 nm,strong UV and blue emission peaks at 362 and 411 nm were observed in CH3PA6OPr and CH3PA6CN,respectively.The luminescent properties of CH3PA6CN and CH3PA6OPr have been improved by introducing the methyl substituted group,and the quantum yield of the polymer with cyano tail CH3PA6CN (φ= 74%) was found to be higher than that of CH3PA6OPr (φ= 60%).Compared to polyacety- lene parents,both CH3PA6OPr and CH3PA6CN showed a narrower energy gap.This demonstrated that the electrical con- ductivities of polyacetylenes could be enhanced by attaching appropriate pendants to the conjugated polyene backbones.

Cytotoxic polyacetylenes isolated from the roots and rhizomes of Notopterygium incisum

Phytochemical investigation on the roots and rhizomes of Notopterygium incisum led to the isolation of a new polyacetylene, notopolyenol A (1), along with thirteen known analogues (2-14). Their structures were elucidated by extensive analyses of NMR and HRMS data, and the absolute configuration of 1 was unambiguously determined as 3 R by comparison of its retention time and ECD curve with those of synthetic enantiomers (-)-1 and (+)-1, whose absolute configurations were established by using the modified Mosher's method. Subsequent activity screening revealed that (3 S)-1 exhibited the most significant cytotoxicity against MCF-7, H1299, and HepG2 cancer cells with IC_(50) values of 1.3 μmol/L,0.6μmol/L and 1.4μmol/L, respectively.

UREA-BASED POLYACETYLENES AS AN OPTICAL SENSOR FOR FLUORIDE IONS

Novel acetylenes carrying urea groups, 1-（4-ethynylphenyl）-3-（4-nitrophenyl） urea （1）, 1-（4-propargyl）-3-（4- nitrophenyl） urea （2）, were synthesized and polymerized with rhodium catalyst. Polymers [poly（1） and poly（2）] with moderate molecular weights were obtained in good yields. The anion sensing ability of poly（1） and poly（2） was estimated using the tetra-n-butylammonium （TBA） salts of a series of anions in DMF. Upon the addition of F, the color of the DMF solution of poly（1） and poly（2） immediately turned to a different color, while the color of solution changed slightly upon addition of C1, HSO4-, Br-, and NO3-, indicating the F- sensing ability of poly（1） and poly（2）. The 1H-NMR titrations of poly（1） revealed that the colorimetric response of poly（1） was triggered by the urea/F interaction through the hydrogen bonding and/or deprotonation process. The absorption spectra titration and Hill plot analysis were carried out to measure the F binding ability, and the Hill coefficient in the poly（1）/F complexation was found to be 5.8. This result clearly indicated that this binding mode between poly（1） and F was based on a positive homotropic allosterism.

Preparation and properties of two new soluble carbazole-containing functional polyacetylenes

Two new functional polyacetylenes bearing carbazole group as pendant, poly { 3-[（4-ethynylstyryl）-N-butyl] carbazole } （P1 ） and poly{3-14-（prop-2-ynyloxy）phenyl-N-butyl]carbazole}（P2）, were prepared using [Rb（nbd）Cl]2-Et3N as catalyst. The polymers were soluble in common organic solvents such as CHCl3 and THF. Their structures and properties were characterized and evaluated with FTIR, lit NMR, UV, TGA, GPC, and CV, respectively. The results show that the polymers possess high thermal stability and well hole-injection property.

Post-functionalization of disubstituted polyacetylenes via click chemistry

We report a synthetic design and the experimental exploration of preparation of disubstituted polyacetylenes （PAs, P3） through 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azides with precursor PA bearing alkyne pendants. The precursor PA （P2） was derived by desilylation of the pristine PA with trimethylethynylsilane side chains （P1）. P1 was obtained by polymerization of a dual-alkyne containing monomer with one of the alkynes end-capping by trimethylsilane （M） under the promotion of WC16-Ph4Sn catalyst. Two synthetic routes, i.e. two-steps （from P1 to P3 via precursor P2） and one-pot （from P1 to P3 without separation and purification of P2） were tried and the results indicated that one-pot strategy is more facile and resultant P3-1 showed higher purity and higher molecular weight than the resultant of P3-2. By using the techniques such as GPC, FTIR and 1H NMR spectroscopy the polymerization behavior and the structures of the polymers were well characterized.

Antidiabetic Properties of Bidens pilosa and Its Polyacetylenic Compounds for Management of Diabetes: Systematic Review

Bidens pilosa is a member of the Asteraceae family that is widely distributed across the tropics. It has been utilized by different communities both as food and medicinal herb. This plant and its polyacetylenic compounds hold potential as a natural antidiabetic intervention that can be used to combat this global public health problem. Bioactive compounds found in this plant constitute promising interventions for combating obesity which is a major risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes. These phytocompounds can work independently or synergistically to modulate appetite, lipase activity, adipogenesis and adipocyte apoptosis. However, the efficacy, mode of action and scope of management of diabetes by these compounds remains elusive. The current review aims to summarize data on efficacy in the management of diabetes, an antidiabetic candidate polyacetylenic compound and possible biological activities as an antidiabetic agent from the available literature. Much emphasis has been directed to cytopiloyne as a representative of polyacetylenic compounds extracted from Bidens pilosa and its activity on diabetic animal models. The majority of the studies conducted on animal models described antidiabetic mechanisms that range from hypoglycemic to secretagogue activity of cytopiloyne in a dose-dependent manner. A clinical trial pilot indicated improved glycemic control of Bidens pilosa formulation among diabetic patients in the study. Bidens pilosa and its compounds are highly potent antidiabetic agent(s) that should be graduated to an intervention for management of diabetes through pre-clinical and clinical trials to elucidate its efficacy and safety.

SYNTHESIS,CHARACTERIZATION AND OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE COPOLYMERS OF C_(60) AND 1-PHENYL-1-PROPYNE

While WCl_6-Ph_4Sn fails to polymerize 1-phenyl-1-propyne (PP) at room temperature, highmolecular weight (M_w up to 410× 10~3) polymers are obtained in high yields (up to 80%) when thepolymerizations of PP are carried out in the presence of C_(60) using the W catalyst under the same conditions.The polymers are soluble in common organic solvents such as THF, chloroform, and toluene. Molecularstructures of the polymers are characterized by FT-IR, UV, NMR, GPC and XRD, and it is found that C_(60) iscopolymerized with PP. Thus C_(60) plays the dual roles of comonomer and cocatalyst in the polymerizationreaction. C_(60) contents of the copolymers can be easily changed by varying the C_(60) amounts in the feedmixtures. The copolymers effectively limit strong 532 nm laser pulses, whose limiting performance issuperior to that of parent C_(60).

SYNTHESIS AND OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF POLY (THIENYLACETYLENES)

3-Ethynyl-4-(trimethylsilyl)thiophene (1a) and 3-ethynyl-4-bromothiophene (1b) selectively undergo acetylene polymerizations in the presence of the MoCl5- and WCl6-Ph3SiH catalysts to give soluble, high-molecular-weight poly(thienylacetylenes) (2) (M-w up to 602000) in high yields (up to 100%). Light transmission spectra of THF solutions of 2 continuously red-shift with increasing concentration. The concentratochromism shows a logarithmic concentration dependence; that is, the optical transitions of 2 are predictably tunable by simply changing their concentrations.

SYNTHESIS,HELICITY,AND BIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF MONOSACCHARIDE-CONTAININGPOLY(PHENYLACETYLENE)S

Poly（phenylacetylene）s beating monosaccharide pendant groups are synthesized in high yields by [Rh（nbd）Cl]2 catalyst. The polymers have high molecular weights and give satisfactory spectroscopic data corresponding to their molecular structures. They are thermally quite stable （≥ 300℃） and show strong circular dichroism signals in the visible spectral region owing to the helicity of the polyene backbone. The monosaccharide-containing polyacetylenes are cytophilic and can stimulate the growth of living cells.

MECHANICAL PERTURBATION INDUCED MOLECULAR ALIGNMENTS IN A SIDE-CHAIN LIQUID CRYSTALLINE POLYACETYLENE, POLY{10-[4-(4'-METHOXYPHENOXY-CARBOML)PHENOXYCARBONYL]-1-DECYNE}

A new liquid crystalline polyacetylene containing a phenyl benzoate mesogen (5) is synthesized,whose mesomorphic properties are found to be easily 'tunab1e' by simple mechanical perturbation. Thepolymerization of 10- [ 4 - (4' -methoxyphenoxycarbonyl )phenoxycarbonyl] - 1 -decyne (4 ) in itiated by theWCl_6-Ph_4Sn/dioxane complex yields polymer 5 with a M_w of 28400. The molecular structure of 5 ischaracterized by NMR, IR, and UV spectroscopy and its liquid crystalline behavior is investigated by DSC,POM, and XRD analysis. Upon mechanical perturbation, 5 exhibits unusual agitation-induced high-strengthdisclinations, shear-induced inversion walls, and solidification-induced banded textures. Such phenomenahave been observed in the main-chain liquid crystalline polymers with rigid backbones, but have seldom beenreported for the side-chain liquid crystalline polymers with flexible backbones, suggesting that the rigidpolyacetylene backbone of 5 plays a constructive role in inducing the novel molecular alignments.

In Vitro Evaluation of the Potential Antioxidant of Bidens segetum Mart. ex Colla (Asteraceae) in Melanocyte and Melanoma Cells

Bidens segetum Martius ex Colla known as the “picão do mato”, is an herbaceous plant that occurs in the Cerrado biome of some Brazilian states. Among the species of Bidens, we highlight B. pilosa known as “picão preto”, of which several activities are reported as antioxidant and antibacterial. Ethanolic extract from Bidens segetum (EEBs) showed an-tioxidant potential when analyzed by free radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and antifungal activity against Cladosporium cladosporiodes and C. sphareospermum fungi. PFFR3.3 subfraction from EEBs has 81.5% of 5-O caffeoylquinic acid (5-CQA) and potential antioxidant (DPPH). However, PFFR3.3 did not decrease superoxide anion in metastatic melanoma cells by dihydroeth-idium assay (DHE). PP4 subfraction is a mixture of polyacetylenes that has antifungal (Cladosporium) and antioxidant activity, since reduced superoxide anion amount in melanoma cells after 5 min of treatment. However, no dose-response and time-response curve were observed, not even with the authentic standard (5-CQA). Complementary chemical studies will be performed to confirm the polyacetylenes and 5-CQA structures present in the EEBs from B. segetum and new methodologies should be performed to confirm the antioxidant activity of these com-pounds and the effects on melanocytes and melanomas.

Anticancer Properties of Lobetyolin,an Essential Component of Radix Codonopsis(Dangshen)

Lobetyolin(LBT)is a polyacetylene glycoside found in diverse medicinal plants but mainly isolated from the roots of Codo-nopsis pilosula,known as Radix Codonopsis or Dangshen.Twelve traditional Chinese medicinal preparations containing Radix Codonopsis were identified;they are generally used to tonify spleen and lung Qi and occasionally to treat cancer.Here we have reviewed the anticancer properties of Codonopsis extracts,LBT and structural analogs.Lobetyolin and lobetyolinin are the mono-and bis-glucosylated forms of the polyacetylenic compound lobetyol.Lobetyol and LBT have shown activi-ties against several types of cancer(notably gastric cancer)and we examined the molecular basis of their activity.A down-regulation of glutamine metabolism by LBT has been evidenced,contributing to drug-induced apoptosis and tumor growth inhibition.LBT markedly reduces both mRNA and protein expression of the amino acid transporter Alanine-Serine-Cysteine Transporter 2(ASCT2).Other potential targets are proposed here,based on the structural analogy with other anticancer compounds.LBT and related polyacetylene glycosides should be further considered as potential anticancer agents,but more work is needed to evaluate their efficacy,toxicity,and risk-benefit ratio.

Time-Dependent Variational Approach to Ground-State Phase Transition and Phonon Dispersion Relation of the Quantum Double-Well Model

The ground-state phase transition and the phonon dispersion relation of the quantum double-well model are studied by means of the time-dependent variational approach combined with a Hartree-type many-body trial wavefunction. The single-particle state is taken to be a frozen Jackiw-Kerman wavefunction. Under the condition of minimum uncertainty relation, we obtain an effective classical Hamiltonian for the system and equations of motion for the particle＇s expectation values. It is shown that the effective substrate potential transits from a symmetric double-well potential to a symmetric single-well potential, and the ground state exhibits a transition from a broken symmetry phase to a restored symmetry phase as increasing the strength of quantum fluctuations. We also obtain the phonon dispersion relations and the phonon gaps at the two phases.

LINEAR AND HYPERBRANCHED POLYMERS WITH HIGH THERMAL STABILITY AND LUMINESCENCE EFFICIENCY

New acetylene monomers, 6-{[(1-naphthylethynyl-4-phenyl)carbonyl]oxy}-1-phenyl-1-hexyne (1), 2,5-diethynyl-thiophene (3), and 4,4'-diethynylbiphenyl (6) were synthesized. Homopolymerization of 1 and copolycyclotrimerizations of 3 and 6 with 1-heptyne and 1-octyne have been achieved with WCl6- and TaCl5-Ph4Sn catalysts, respectively, giving soluble linear disubstituted polyacetylene (2) and hyperbranched polyarylenes (5 and 8) with high molecular weights (up to 1.2 x 10(5)) in high yields (up to 98%). The structures and properties of the polymers are characterized and evaluated by R NMR, TGA, UV, photoluminescence (PL), and electroluminescence (EL) analyses. All the polymers possess high thermal stability and emit strong blue light upon photoexcitation. The intensity of the emitted light is greater than that of poly(1-phenyl-1-octyne), a well-known highly luminescent disubstituted polyacetylene. Little aggregation-induced red shift in the PL was observed in the thin films of the polymers. By constructing a multi-layer EL device, high EL quantum yield (0.18%) has been achieved in 2, which are the best results for substituted polyacetylenes attainable so far.

Molecular mechanism of panaxydol on promoting axonal growth in PC12 cells

Nerve growth factor（NGF） promotes axonal growth in PC12 cells primarily by regulating the RTK-RAS-MEK-ERK pathway. Panaxydol, a polyacetylene isolated from Panax notoginseng, can mimic the effects of NGF. Panaxydol promotes neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells, but its molecular mechanism remains unclear. Indeed, although alkynol compounds such as panaxydol can increase intracellular cyclic adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate（cAMP） levels and the ERK inhibitor U0126 inhibits alkynol-induced axonal growth, how pathways downstream of cAMP activate ERK have not been investigated. This study observed the molecular mechanism of panaxydol-, NGF-and forskolin-induced PC12 cell axon growth using specific signaling pathway inhibitors. The results demonstrated that although the RTK inhibitor SU5416 obviously inhibited the growth-promoting effect of NGF, it could not inhibit the promoting effect of panaxydol on axonal growth of PC12 cells. The adenylate cyclase inhibitor SQ22536 and cAMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor RpcAMPS could suppress the promoting effect of forskolin and panaxydol on axonal growth. The ERK inhibitor U0126 inhibited axonal growth induced by all three factors. However, the PKA inhibitor H89 inhibited the promoting effect of forskolin on axonal growth but could not suppress the promoting effect of panaxydol. A western blot assay was used to determine the effects of stimulating factors and inhibitors on ERK phosphorylation levels. The results revealed that NGF activates the ERK pathway through tyrosine receptors to induce axonal growth of PC12 cells. In contrast, panaxydol and forskolin increased cellular cAMP levels and were inhibited by adenylyl cyclase inhibitors. The protein kinase A inhibitor H89 completely inhibited forskolin-induced axonal outgrowth and ERK phosphorylation, but could not inhibit panaxydol-induced axonal growth and ERK phosphorylation. These results indicated that panaxydol promoted axonal growth of PC12 cells through different pathways downstream of cAMP. Considering that exchange protein directly activated by cAMP 1（Epac1） plays an important role in mediating cAMP signaling pathways, RNA interference experiments targeting the Epac1 gene were employed. The results verified that Epac1 could mediate the axonal growth signaling pathway induced by panaxydol. These findings suggest that compared with NGF and forskolin, panaxydol elicits axonal growth through the cAMP-Epac1-Rap1-MEK-ERK-CREB pathway, which is independent of PKA.

A new polyacetylene glycoside from the rhizomes of Atractylodes lancea

A new polyacetylene glycoside,（1,3Z,11E）-tridecatriene-7,9-diyne-5-hydroxyl-6-O-β-D-glucopyranoside,was isolated from the rhizomes of Atractylodes lancea（Thunb.） DC.Its structure was elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis.

Synthesis and Phase Behavior of Poly(1-alkyne) with Liquid Crystalline-induced Luminescence Enhancement

Poly（1-alkyne） with octoxy spacer —{[HC=C（CH2）8O—terphenyl—CN]}n—（PA8CN） and terphenyl liquid crystalline pendant was synthesized,and the effects of structure on the optical properties,especially the liquid crystallinity behavior of the polymer and monomer were investigated.The monomer was prepared in high yields（92.30%） by coupling and etherification reactions and successfully polymerized in the presence of Rh catalyst and Et3N cocatalyst in high yields with trans-rich（86.27%） stereoregular structure.Compared to the monomer showing mixed monolayer structure,its corresponding polymer PA8CN formed homogeneous monolayer arrangement.Upon photoexcitation,strong blue emission peak of PA8CN appeared at 413 nm[fluorescence quantum yield,ΦF = 68% when excited at 330 nm in tetrahydrofuran（THF） solution].Compared with its solid film photoexcitated at 330 nm at room temperature,the UV light-emitting band of PA8CN solid film from its liquid crystalline with liquid nitrogen quenched rapidly at 236 ℃ was red-shift 10 nm with higher intensity,which may be ascribed to the fact that the effectual conjugation and the order degree of the molecule in the liquid crystalline state of the polymer were enhanced,the energy loss caused by the thermal vibration was decreased,thus resulting in the observed hyperchromic effect.