@article{FengZhouQiuetal.2022, author = {Feng, Yi and Zhou, Jiadong and Qiu, Honglin and Schnitzlein, Matthias and Hu, Jingtao and Liu, Linlin and W{\"u}rthner, Frank and Xie, Zengqi}, title = {Boron-Locked Starazine - A Soluble and Fluorescent Analogue of Starphene}, series = {Chemistry - A European Journal}, volume = {28}, journal = {Chemistry - A European Journal}, number = {29}, doi = {10.1002/chem.202200770}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-276423}, year = {2022}, abstract = {A starlike heterocyclic molecule containing an electron-deficient nonaaza-core structure and three peripheral isoquinolines locked by three tetracoordinate borons, namely isoquinoline-nona-starazine (QNSA), is synthesized by using readily available reactants through a rather straightforward approach. This new heteroatom-rich QNSA possesses a quasi-planar π-backbone structure, and bears phenyl substituents on borons which protrude on both sides of the π-backbones endowing it with good solubility in common organic solvents. Contrasting to its starphene analogue, QNSA shows intense fluorescence with a quantum yield (PLQY) of up to 62 \% in dilute solution.}, language = {en} } @article{BoldStolteShoyamaetal.2022, author = {Bold, Kevin and Stolte, Matthias and Shoyama, Kazutaka and Krause, Ana-Maria and Schmiedel, Alexander and Holzapfel, Marco and Lambert, Christoph and W{\"u}rthner, Frank}, title = {Macrocyclic Donor-Acceptor Dyads Composed of Oligothiophene Half-Cycles and Perylene Bisimides}, series = {Chemistry - A European Journal}, volume = {28}, journal = {Chemistry - A European Journal}, number = {30}, doi = {10.1002/chem.202200355}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-276435}, year = {2022}, abstract = {A series of donor-acceptor (D-A) macrocyclic dyads consisting of an electron-poor perylene bisimide (PBI) π-scaffold bridged with electron-rich α-oligothiophenes bearing four, five, six and seven thiophene units between the two phenyl-imide substituents has been synthesized and characterized by steady-state UV/Vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry as well as transient absorption spectroscopy. Tying the oligothiophene strands in a conformationally fixed macrocyclic arrangement leads to a more rigid π-scaffold with vibronic fine structure in the respective absorption spectra. Electrochemical analysis disclosed charged state properties in solution which are strongly dependent on the degree of rigidification within the individual macrocycle. Investigation of the excited state dynamics revealed an oligothiophene bridge size-dependent fast charge transfer process for the macrocyclic dyads upon PBI subunit excitation.}, language = {en} } @article{MenekseRennerMahlmeisteretal.2020, author = {Menekse, Kaan and Renner, Rebecca and Mahlmeister, Bernhard and Stolte, Matthias and W{\"u}rthner, Frank}, title = {Bowl-shaped naphthalimide-annulated corannulene as nonfullerene acceptor in organic solar cells}, series = {Organic Materials}, volume = {2}, journal = {Organic Materials}, number = {3}, issn = {2625-1825}, doi = {10.1055/s-0040-1714283}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-299095}, pages = {229-234}, year = {2020}, abstract = {An electron-poor bowl-shaped naphthalimide-annulated corannulene with branched alkyl residues in the imide position was synthesized by a palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling annulation sequence. This dipolar compound exhibits strong absorption in the visible range along with a low-lying LUMO level at -3.85 eV, enabling n-type charge transport in organic thin-film transistors. Furthermore, we processed inverted bulk-heterojunction solar cells in combination with the two donor polymers PCE-10 and PM6 to achieve open-circuit voltages up to 1.04 V. By using a blend of the self-assembled naphthalimide-annulated corannulene and PCE-10, we were able to obtain a power conversion efficiency of up to 2.1\%, which is to the best of our knowledge the highest reported value for a corannulene-based organic solar cell to date.}, language = {en} } @article{SchlauersbachHanioLenzetal.2021, author = {Schlauersbach, Jonas and Hanio, Simon and Lenz, Bettina and Vemulapalli, Sahithya P. B. and Griesinger, Christian and P{\"o}ppler, Ann-Christin and Harlacher, Cornelius and Galli, Bruno and Meinel, Lorenz}, title = {Leveraging bile solubilization of poorly water-soluble drugs by rational polymer selection}, series = {Journal of Controlled Release}, volume = {330}, journal = {Journal of Controlled Release}, edition = {Accepted Version}, doi = {10.1016/j.jconrel.2020.12.016}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-296957}, pages = {36-48}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Poorly water-soluble drugs frequently solubilize into bile colloids and this natural mechanism is key for efficient bioavailability. We tested the impact of pharmaceutical polymers on this solubilization interplay using proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and by assessing the flux across model membranes. Eudragit E, Soluplus, and a therapeutically used model polymer, Colesevelam, impacted the bile-colloidal geometry and molecular interaction. These polymer-induced changes reduced the flux of poorly water-soluble and bile interacting drugs (Perphenazine, Imatinib) but did not impact the flux of bile non-interacting Metoprolol. Non-bile interacting polymers (Kollidon VA 64, HPMC-AS) neither impacted the flux of colloid-interacting nor colloid-non-interacting drugs. These insights into the drug substance/polymer/bile colloid interplay potentially point towards a practical optimization parameter steering formulations to efficient bile-solubilization by rational polymer selection.}, language = {en} } @article{SchnitzleinMuetzelShoyamaetal.2022, author = {Schnitzlein, Matthias and M{\"u}tzel, Carina and Shoyama, Kazutaka and Farrell, Jeffrey M. and W{\"u}rthner, Frank}, title = {PAHs Containing both Heptagon and Pentagon: Corannulene Extension by [5+2] Annulation}, series = {European Journal of Organic Chemistry}, volume = {2022}, journal = {European Journal of Organic Chemistry}, number = {5}, doi = {10.1002/ejoc.202101273}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-262627}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Utilizing Pd-catalyzed [5+2] annulation a series of heptagon-extended corannulenes could be synthesized from a borinic acid precursor furnished by C-H borylation strategy. Single-crystal X-ray analysis revealed the presence of two conformational enantiomers crystallizing in a racemic mixture. Through their embedded five- and seven-membered rings these polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) exhibit both negative and positive curvature and UV/Vis/NIR absorption spectroscopy as well as cyclic voltammetry experiments provided insights into the influence of larger flanking aromatic systems and electron-donating substituents encompassing the heptagonal ring. Through [5+2] annulation of acenaphthylene an azulene-containing PAH with intriguing optoelectronical properties including a very small bandgap and absorption over the whole visible spectrum could be obtained. Theoretical calculations were employed to elucidate the long-wavelength absorption and aromaticity.}, language = {en} } @article{SchneiderSchauliesSchumacherWiggeretal.2021, author = {Schneider-Schaulies, Sibylle and Schumacher, Fabian and Wigger, Dominik and Sch{\"o}l, Marie and Waghmare, Trushnal and Schlegel, Jan and Seibel, J{\"u}rgen and Kleuser, Burkhard}, title = {Sphingolipids: effectors and Achilles heals in viral infections?}, series = {Cells}, volume = {10}, journal = {Cells}, number = {9}, issn = {2073-4409}, doi = {10.3390/cells10092175}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-245151}, year = {2021}, abstract = {As viruses are obligatory intracellular parasites, any step during their life cycle strictly depends on successful interaction with their particular host cells. In particular, their interaction with cellular membranes is of crucial importance for most steps in the viral replication cycle. Such interactions are initiated by uptake of viral particles and subsequent trafficking to intracellular compartments to access their replication compartments which provide a spatially confined environment concentrating viral and cellular components, and subsequently, employ cellular membranes for assembly and exit of viral progeny. The ability of viruses to actively modulate lipid composition such as sphingolipids (SLs) is essential for successful completion of the viral life cycle. In addition to their structural and biophysical properties of cellular membranes, some sphingolipid (SL) species are bioactive and as such, take part in cellular signaling processes involved in regulating viral replication. It is especially due to the progress made in tools to study accumulation and dynamics of SLs, which visualize their compartmentalization and identify interaction partners at a cellular level, as well as the availability of genetic knockout systems, that the role of particular SL species in the viral replication process can be analyzed and, most importantly, be explored as targets for therapeutic intervention.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Merz2022, author = {Merz, Viktor}, title = {Funktionalisierung und Untersuchung von Nanodiamanten f{\"u}r biomedizinische und sensorische Anwendungen}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-24588}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-245888}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Nanodiamant (ND) ist ein vielseitiges und vielversprechendes Material f{\"u}r Bio-Anwendungen. Trotz vieler Bem{\"u}hungen bleibt die Agglomeration von Nanodiamant und die unspezifische Adsorption von Proteinen an der ND-Oberfl{\"a}che bei Kontakt mit Biofl{\"u}ssigkeiten ein großes Hindernis f{\"u}r biomedizinische Anwendungen. Eine Auswahl verzweigter und linearer Molek{\"u}le mit {\"u}berlegener F{\"a}higkeit zur kolloidalen Stabilisierung von Nanopartikeln in Salz- und Zellmedienumgebung, f{\"u}r bis zu 30 Tage, wurde an die ND-Oberfl{\"a}che angebracht. Das Baukastensystem mit Azid als Außengruppen bietet eine große Vielfalt an Bindungen mit vielen Molek{\"u}len, wie z. B. Medikamenten, Farbstoffen oder Targeting-Molek{\"u}len. Das Anh{\"a}ngen von z. B. Zwitterionen an die Kette sch{\"u}tzt die ND-Oberfl{\"a}che vor der Bildung einer Proteinkorona, wenn die Partikel mit proteinhaltigen Biofl{\"u}ssigkeiten in Kontakt kommen. Die Ergebnisse der thermogravimetrischen Analyse der Beladung der ND-Oberfl{\"a}che zeigen eine signifikante Verhinderung der Proteinadsorption von bis zu 98 \% im Vergleich zu NDs ohne zwitterionische Kopfgruppen und eine lange kolloidale Stabilit{\"a}t, wenn Tetraethylenglykol (TEG) an die Oberfl{\"a}che gebunden wird. Die Vielseitigkeit des modularen Systems, um nicht nur zwitterionische Ketten, sondern auch klickbare funktionelle Molek{\"u}le an fluoreszierende Nanodiamanten (fNDs) zu binden, zeigt das Potenzial des Systems am Nanodiamanten. Unter Verwendung von Defektstrukturen, wie Stickstoff-Vakanz-Zentren (NV), k{\"o}nnen Diamantpartikel aufgrund ihres weitgehend ungiftigen Verhaltens als fluoreszierende Nanodiamanten (fNDs) f{\"u}r photostabile Markierung, Bioimaging und nanoskalige Sensorik in lebenden Zellen und Organismen verwendet werden. Um die fND-Oberfl{\"a}che zu funktionalisieren, wurde eine neuartige Mahltechnik mit Diazoniumsalzen etabliert, um ein Pfropfen auf wenig reaktive HPHT-fNDs durchzuf{\"u}hren, was zu einer hohen Oberfl{\"a}chenbeladung und einem hohen negativen Zetapotenzial f{\"u}hrt. Die Kombination der Vorteile von TEG und zwitterionhaltigen Gruppen mit der F{\"a}higkeit zum Targeting von Antik{\"o}rpern auf fND best{\"a}tigt zum ersten Mal die verbesserte kolloidale Stabilit{\"a}t in Experimenten mit lebenden Zellen. Dar{\"u}ber hinaus deuten die Ergebnisse auf eine verbesserte Corona-Abstoßung im Vergleich zu fND ohne zwitterionhaltige Kopfgruppen hin. Infolgedessen wurden die Zirkulationszeiten von 4 (fND ohne Zwitterionenkette, aber mit Antik{\"o}rper) auf 17 (mit Antik{\"o}rper und Zwitterionenketten) Stunden vergr{\"o}ßert. In nicht-biomedizinischen Anwendungen kann das modulare System als Sonde f{\"u}r Schwermetalle durch die Anbindung von Farbstoffen verwendet werden. Die Detektion von Metallen in verschiedenen Umgebungen mit hoher Selektivit{\"a}t und Spezifit{\"a}t ist eine der Voraussetzungen f{\"u}r den Kampf gegen die Umweltverschmutzung mit diesen Elementen. Pyrene sind gut geeignet und weit bekannt f{\"u}r die Fluoreszenzsensorik in verschiedenen Medien. Das angewandte Sensorprinzip beruht typischerweise auf der Bildung von intra- und intermolekularen Excimeren, was jedoch den Empfindlichkeitsbereich aufgrund der Maskierung von z.B. Quenching-Effekten durch die Excimer-Emission einschr{\"a}nkt. Diese Studie zeigt einen hochselektiven, strukturstabilen chemischen Sensor, der auf der monomeren Fluoreszenz von Pyrenanteilen mit Triazolgruppen basiert. Dieser Sensor kann Cu2+, Pb2+ und Hg2+ in organischen L{\"o}sungsmitteln {\"u}ber einen weiten Konzentrationsbereich quantitativ nachweisen, auch in Gegenwart von ubiquit{\"a}ren Ionen wie Na+, K+, Ca2+ und Mg2+. Die stark emittierende Fluoreszenz des Sensors mit einer langen Lebensdauer von 165 ns wird durch eine 1:1-Komplexbildung bei Zugabe von Metallionen in Acetonitril gel{\"o}scht. Bei Zugabe eines zehnfachen {\"U}berschusses des Metallions zum Sensor bilden sich Agglomerate mit einem Durchmesser von etwa 3 nm. Aufgrund der komplexen Wechselwirkungen im System werden konventionelle lineare Korrelationen nicht f{\"u}r alle Konzentrationen beobachtet. Daher wird ein kritischer Vergleich zwischen der konventionellen Job-Plot-Interpretation, der Methode von Benesi-Hildebrand und einem nicht-linearen Fit vorgestellt. Das vorgestellte System erm{\"o}glicht die spezifische und robuste Erfassung von medizinisch und {\"o}kologisch relevanten Ionen im gesundheitsrelevanten nM-Bereich und k{\"o}nnte z. B. zur {\"U}berwachung der entsprechenden Ionen in Abfallstr{\"o}men eingesetzt werden. Doch h{\"a}ufig landen diese Abfallstr{\"o}me in empfindlichen Aquakulturen, wo eine solche Sensortechnik nur funktioniert, wenn die Sonde wasserl{\"o}slich ist, um die Ausbreitung und Bildung von Umweltsch{\"a}den durch Schwermetalle zu {\"u}berwachen. Viele Chemosensoren arbeiten nur in bestimmten L{\"o}sungsmitteln und unter hochreinen Bedingungen quantitativ. In dieser Arbeit wird eine Methode zur Stabilisierung von wasserunl{\"o}slichen Chemosensoren auf Nanodiamanten in salzhaltigem Wasser unter Beibehaltung der Sensoreffektivit{\"a}t und -spezifit{\"a}t sowie der kolloidalen Stabilit{\"a}t vorgestellt. Zus{\"a}tzlich wird die Sensorf{\"a}higkeit in organischen L{\"o}sungsmitteln beibehalten. Diese Studie gibt Einblick in die Absorptionsf{\"a}higkeit von Pyren-Derivaten an der Nanodiamant-Oberfl{\"a}che und einen Weg, diese reversibel zu desorbieren. Außerdem beweist das System, dass in Anwesenheit von 95 \% Sauerstoffatmosph{\"a}re bei der Fluoreszenzmessung die Ergebnisse nicht von denen in Argonatmosph{\"a}re abweichen. Dar{\"u}ber hinaus st{\"o}rt das Vorhandensein g{\"a}ngiger Ionen im Wasser die kolloidale Stabilit{\"a}t der NDs nicht und hat auch keinen Einfluss auf die Sensorfunktionalit{\"a}t und ist somit ein vielversprechender Kandidat f{\"u}r Messungen ohne aufw{\"a}ndige Pr{\"a}parationsschritte.}, language = {en} } @article{KarakStepanenkoAddicoatetal.2022, author = {Karak, Suvendu and Stepanenko, Vladimir and Addicoat, Matthew A. and Keßler, Philipp and Moser, Simon and Beuerle, Florian and W{\"u}rthner, Frank}, title = {A Covalent Organic Framework for Cooperative Water Oxidation}, series = {Journal of the American Chemical Society}, volume = {144}, journal = {Journal of the American Chemical Society}, number = {38}, issn = {0002-7863}, doi = {10.1021/jacs.2c07282}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-287591}, pages = {17661-17670}, year = {2022}, abstract = {The future of water-derived hydrogen as the "sustainable energy source" straightaway bets on the success of the sluggish oxygen-generating half-reaction. The endeavor to emulate the natural photosystem II for efficient water oxidation has been extended across the spectrum of organic and inorganic combinations. However, the achievement has so far been restricted to homogeneous catalysts rather than their pristine heterogeneous forms. The poor structural understanding and control over the mechanistic pathway often impede the overall development. Herein, we have synthesized a highly crystalline covalent organic framework (COF) for chemical and photochemical water oxidation. The interpenetrated structure assures the catalyst stability, as the catalyst's performance remains unaltered after several cycles. This COF exhibits the highest ever accomplished catalytic activity for such an organometallic crystalline solid-state material where the rate of oxygen evolution is as high as ∼26,000 μmol L\(^{-1}\) s\(^{-1}\) (second-order rate constant k ≈ 1650 μmol L s\(^{-1}\) g\(^{-2}\)). The catalyst also proves its exceptional activity (k ≈ 1600 μmol L s\(^{-1}\) g\(^{-2}\)) during light-driven water oxidation under very dilute conditions. The cooperative interaction between metal centers in the crystalline network offers 20-30-fold superior activity during chemical as well as photocatalytic water oxidation as compared to its amorphous polymeric counterpart.}, language = {en} } @article{KimSchembriBialasetal.2022, author = {Kim, Jin Hong and Schembri, Tim and Bialas, David and Stolte, Matthias and W{\"u}rthner, Frank}, title = {Slip-Stacked J-Aggregate Materials for Organic Solar Cells and Photodetectors}, series = {Advanced Materials}, volume = {34}, journal = {Advanced Materials}, number = {22}, doi = {10.1002/adma.202104678}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-276537}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Dye-dye interactions affect the optical and electronic properties in organic semiconductor films of light harvesting and detecting optoelectronic applications. This review elaborates how to tailor these properties of organic semiconductors for organic solar cells (OSCs) and organic photodiodes (OPDs). While these devices rely on similar materials, the demands for their optical properties are rather different, the former requiring a broad absorption spectrum spanning from the UV over visible up to the near-infrared region and the latter an ultra-narrow absorption spectrum at a specific, targeted wavelength. In order to design organic semiconductors satisfying these demands, fundamental insights on the relationship of optical properties are provided depending on molecular packing arrangement and the resultant electronic coupling thereof. Based on recent advancements in the theoretical understanding of intermolecular interactions between slip-stacked dyes, distinguishing classical J-aggregates with predominant long-range Coulomb coupling from charge transfer (CT)-mediated or -coupled J-aggregates, whose red-shifts are primarily governed by short-range orbital interactions, is suggested. Within this framework, the relationship between aggregate structure and functional properties of representative classes of dye aggregates is analyzed for the most advanced OSCs and wavelength-selective OPDs, providing important insights into the rational design of thin-film optoelectronic materials.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Liaqat2022, author = {Liaqat, Anam}, title = {Artificial Evolution of Nucleic Acid Catalysts and their Use for Studying RNA}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-28311}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-283111}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2022}, abstract = {RNA molecules play diverse roles in biological systems. Post-transcriptional RNA modifications and dynamic structures enhance the functional diversity of RNA. A prerequisite for studying their biological significance is the availability of reliable methods for the detection of RNA modifications and structures. Several promising approaches have been developed in the last few decades; however, efficient, and versatile tools are still required to study the dynamic features of RNA. This thesis focuses on the development of nucleic acid catalysts as a tool to address the current needs in studying RNA. The major part of this thesis aimed at the development of deoxyribozymes as a tool for the detection of RNA modifications. Using in vitro selection from a random DNA library, we found deoxyribozymes that are sensitive to N 6 -isopentenyladenosine (i6A), a native tRNA modification and structural analogue of m6A. The in vitro evolution identified three classes of DNA enzymes: AA, AB08, and AC17 DNAzymes that showed distinct response to i6A modification and showed strong discrimination between structural analogues, i.e., m6A and i6A. In the continuation of the project, we attempted to develop RNA-cleaving deoxyribozymes that differentially respond to monomethylated cytidine isomers, 3-methylcytidine (m3C), N4 - methylcytidine (m4C), and 5-methylcytidine (m5C). Several deoxyribozymes were identified from in vitro selection, which are selective for a specific methylated cytidine isomer. The characterization of AL112, AM101, AN05, and AK104 catalysts confirmed the successful evolution of modification-specific and general deoxyribozymes that showed a broad substrate scope. In order to accelerate the DNAzymes discovery, a high throughput sequencing method (DZ-seq) was established that directly quantifies the RNA cleavage activity and cleavage site from deep sequencing data. The libraries contained information about cleavage status, cleavage site and sequence of deoxyribozymes and RNA substrate. The fraction cleaved (FC) data obtained from Dz-seq was validated for a subset of deoxyribozmes using conventional gel based kinetic assay and showed a good linear correlation (R2 = 0.91). Dz-seq possesses a great potential for the discovery of novel deoxyribozymes for the analysis of various RNA modifications in the future. The second objective of the current study was the development of structure-specific RNA labeling ribozymes. Here, we attempted to develop ribozymes that targets RNA of interest by structure-specific interaction rather than base-pairing and focused on a specific RNA G-quadruplex as the target. Two subsequent selection experiments led to the identification of the adenylyltransferase ribozymes AO10.2 and AR9. The partial characterization of these catalysts showed that A010.2 was unable to recognize intact BCL2 structure, but it turned out as the first reported trans-active ribozyme that efficiently labeled uridine in a defined substrate RNA hybridized to the ribozyme. The other ribozyme AR9 was shown to serve as a trans-active, self-labeling ribozyme that catalyzed adenylyl transferase reaction in the presence of the intact BCL2 sequence. Based on these preliminary findings, we envision that AR9 could potentially serve as a reporter RNA by self-labeling in the presence of an RNA G-quadruplex. However, both AO10.2 and AR9 still require more detailed characterization for their potential applications.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Toksabay2022, author = {Toksabay, Sinem}, title = {Synthesis and on surface self assembly properties of pi extended tribenzotriquinacenes}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-24573}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-245734}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Tribenzotriquinacene (TBTQ) is a polycyclic aromatic framework with a particularly rigid, C3v symmetrical, bowl-shaped core bearing three mutually fused indane wings. It has been discussed as a defect center for a nanographene by Kuck and colleagues. Therefore, extended TBTQ structures are promising models for saturated defect structures in graphene and graphene like molecules and could be used to investigate the role of defects for the electronic properties of graphene. With this motivation, three different pi-extended TBTQ derivatives have been synthesized in this work. Several different Scholl reaction conditions were tried to obtain fully annulated product of hexaphenyl substituted TBTQ. The desired benzannulated TBTQ derivative could not be obtained due to unfavourable electron density in the respective positions of the molecule and increased reactivity of the bay position of the precursor. As an another method for benzannulation is the on-surface synthesis of graphene flakes and can be carried out using electron beams e.g. in a tunneling microscope (STM). According to our previous research, the parent system TBTQ and centro-methyl TBTQ on silver and gold surfaces showed that the gas phase deposition of these molecules gives rise to the formation of highly ordered two-dimensional assemblies with unique structural features. This shows the feasibility for the formation of defective graphene networks starting from the parent structures. Therefore, the same deposition technique was used to deposit Me-TBTQ(OAc)3Ph6, and investigate the molecular self-assembly properties directly on the surface of Cu (111). In summary, the substrate temperature dependent self-assembly of Me-TBTQ(OAc)3Ph6 molecules on Cu(111), shows the following evolution of orientations. At room temperature, molecules form dimers, which construct a higher-coverage honeycomb lattice. Furthermore, one of the acetyl group located in the bay positions of the TBTQ core is cleaved and the remaining two induce the metal-molecule interaction. It was presumed that by increasing the temperature to 393 K, the remaining acetyl and methyl groups would beeliminated from the molecular structure.In addition, the smaller TBTQ-Ph6 molecules preferably lie flat on Cu(111) crystal and allowing the molecules to settle into a C3-symmetry and form a dense hexagonal structure.}, subject = {Triquinacenderivate}, language = {en} } @article{RiethToberLimbachetal.2020, author = {Rieth, Thorsten and Tober, Natalie and Limbach, Daniel and Haspel, Tobias and Sperner, Marcel and Schupp, Niklas and Wicker, Philipp and Glang, Stefan and Lehmann, Matthias and Detert, Heiner}, title = {Impact of substitution pattern and chain length on the thermotropic properties of alkoxy-substituted triphenyl-tristriazolotriazines}, series = {Molecules}, volume = {25}, journal = {Molecules}, number = {23}, issn = {1420-3049}, doi = {10.3390/molecules25235761}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-220019}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Tristriazolotriazines (TTTs) with a threefold alkoxyphenyl substitution were prepared and studied by DSC, polarized optical microscopy (POM) and X-ray scattering. Six pentyloxy chains are sufficient to induce liquid-crystalline behavior in these star-shaped compounds. Thermotropic properties of TTTs with varying substitution patterns and a periphery of linear chains of different lengths, branching in the chain and swallow-tails, are compared. Generally, these disks display broad and stable thermotropic mesophases, with the tangential TTT being superior to the radial isomer. The structure-property relationships of the number of alkyl chains, their position, length and structure were studied.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Selby2022, author = {Selby, Joshua}, title = {Design and Chiroptical Properties of Chirally Substituted Indolenine Squaraine Mono-, Oligo-, and Polymers}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-28206}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-282067}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2022}, abstract = {A series of monomeric chirally substituted indolenine squaraine monomers were successfully synthesized and utilized for the construction of various oligo- and polymers, in order to study their chiroptical properties in terms of exciton chirality. The quaternary carbon atom at the 3-position of the indolenine subunit, as well as the alkyl side chain attached to the indolenine nitrogen were selected as the most suitable site for chiral functionalization. For the C(3)-chiral derivatives, two synthetic routes depending on the desired substitution at the stereogenic center were established. The chiral side chains were prepared via Evans asymmetric alkylation where the resulting branching point at the 2 position constituted the chiral center. While the chiral substitution only had minor effects on the linear optical properties and geometric structure of the chromophore, all compounds exhibited a distinct and measurable CD signal that correlated with the distance of the chiral center to the central chromophore. Polymers bearing chiral side chains exhibited a solvent- and temperature-dependent helix-coil equilibrium, which was influenced by the type of side chain used. CD spectroscopy revealed the helical conformation to possess a preferred twist sense, and temperature-dependent measurements showed the degree of homohelicity to be nearly complete in certain cases. Furthermore, a CPL signal was able to be obtained for the helical conformer of one polymer. Various (co)oligo- and polymers comprising the C(3)-chiral monomers only displayed a solvent-independent J-type absorption behavior and thus did not form helical conformations in solution. CD spectroscopy revealed a solvent-dependent adoption of quasi-enantiomeric conformers, which was elucidated by quantum chemical TDDFT calculations.}, subject = {Squaraine}, language = {en} } @article{PinznerKellerMutetal.2021, author = {Pinzner, Florian and Keller, Thorsten and Mut, J{\"u}rgen and Bechold, Julian and Seibel, J{\"u}rgen and Groll, J{\"u}rgen}, title = {Polyoxazolines with a vicinally double-bioactivated terminus for biomacromolecular affinity assessment}, series = {Sensors}, volume = {21}, journal = {Sensors}, number = {9}, issn = {1424-8220}, doi = {10.3390/s21093153}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-239530}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Interactions between proteins and carbohydrates with larger biomacromolecules, e.g., lectins, are usually examined using self-assembled monolayers on target gold surfaces as a simplified model measuring setup. However, most of those measuring setups are either limited to a single substrate or do not allow for control over ligand distance and spacing. Here, we develop a synthetic strategy, consisting of a cascade of a thioesterification, native chemical ligation (NCL) and thiol-ene reaction, in order to create three-component polymer conjugates with a defined double bioactivation at the chain end. The target architecture is the vicinal attachment of two biomolecule residues to the α telechelic end point of a polymer and a thioether group at the ω chain end for fixating the conjugate to a gold sensor chip surface. As proof-of-principle studies for affinity measurements, we demonstrate the interaction between covalently bound mannose and ConA in surface acoustic wave (SAW) and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) experiments.}, language = {en} } @incollection{LiaqatSednevHoebartner2022, author = {Liaqat, Anam and Sednev, Maksim V. and H{\"o}bartner, Claudia}, title = {In Vitro Selection of Deoxyribozymes for the Detection of RNA Modifications}, series = {Ribosome Biogenesis: Methods and Protocols}, booktitle = {Ribosome Biogenesis: Methods and Protocols}, publisher = {Humana Press}, isbn = {978-1-0716-2501-9}, doi = {10.1007/978-1-0716-2501-9_10}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-279208}, publisher = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, pages = {167-179}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Deoxyribozymes are artificially evolved DNA molecules with catalytic abilities. RNA-cleaving deoxyribozymes have been recognized as an efficient tool for detection of modifications in target RNAs and provide an alternative to traditional and modern methods for detection of ribose or nucleobase methylation. However, there are only few examples of DNA enzymes that specifically reveal the presence of a certain type of modification, including N6-methyladenosine, and the knowledge about how DNA enzymes recognize modified RNAs is still extremely limited. Therefore, DNA enzymes cannot be easily engineered for the analysis of desired RNA modifications, but are instead identified by in vitro selection from random DNA libraries using synthetic modified RNA substrates. This protocol describes a general in vitro selection stagtegy to evolve new RNA-cleaving DNA enzymes that can efficiently differentiate modified RNA substrates from their unmodified counterpart.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Smolan2022, author = {Smolan, Willi}, title = {Linear Multifunctional PEG-Alternatives for Bioconjugation and Hydrogel Formation}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-27873}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-278734}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2022}, abstract = {The objective of this thesis was the synthesis and characterisation of two linear multifunctional PEG-alternatives for bioconjugation and hydrogel formation: i) Hydrophilic acrylate based copolymers containing peptide binding units and ii) hydrophilic polyether based copolymers containing different functional groups for a physical crosslinking. In section 3.1 the successful synthesis of water soluble and linear acrylate based polymers containing oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate with either linear thioester functional 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, thiolactone acrylamide, or vinyl azlactone via the living radical polymerisation technique Reversible Addition Fragmentation Chain Transfer (RAFT) and via free-radical polymerisation is described. The obtained polymers were characterized via GPC, 1H NMR, IR and RAMAN spectroscopy. The RAFT end group was found to be difficult to remove from these short polymer chains and accordingly underwent the undesired side reaction aminolysis with the peptide during the conjugation studies. Besides that, polymers without RAFT end groups did not show any binding of the peptide at the thioester groups, which can be improved in future by using higher reactant concentrations and higher amount of binding units at the polymer. Polymers containing the highly reactive azlactone group showed a peptide binding of 19 \%, but unfortunately this function also underwent spontaneous hydrolysis before the peptide could even be bound. In all cases, oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate was used with a relatively high molecular weight (Mn = 480 Da) was used, which eventually was efficiently shielding the introduced binding units from the added peptide. In future, a shorter monomer with Mn = 300 Da or less or hydrophilic N,N'-dialkyl acrylamide based polymers with less steric hindrance could be used to improve this bioconjugation system. Additionally, the amount of monomers containing peptide binding units in the polymer can be increased and have an additional spacer to achieve higher loading efficiency. The water soluble, linear and short polyether based polymers, so called polyglycidols, were successfully synthesized and modified as described in section 3.2. The obtained polymers were characterized using GPC, 1H NMR, 31P{1H} NMR, IR, and RAMAN spectroscopy. The allyl groups which were present up to 20 \% were used for radical induced thiol-ene chemistry for the introduction of functional groups intended for the formation of the physically crosslinking hydrogels. For the positively charged polymers, first a chloride group had to be introduced for the subsequent nucleophilic substitution with the imidazolium compound. There, degrees of modifications were found in the range 40-97 \% due to the repulsion forces of the charges, decreased concentration of active chloride groups, and limiting solution concentrations of the polymer for this reaction. For the negatively charged polymers, first a protected phosphonamide moiety was introduced with a deprotection step afterwards showing 100 \% conversion for all reactions. Preliminary hydrogel tests did not show a formation of a three-dimensional network of the polymer chains which was attributed to the short backbone length of the used polymers, but the gained knowledge about the synthetic routes for the modification of the polymer was successfully transferred to longer linear polyglycidols. The same applies to the introduction of electron rich and electron poor compounds showing π-π stacking interactions by UV-vis spectroscopy. Finally, long linear polyglycidyl ethers were synthesised successfully up to molecular weights of Mn ~ 30 kDa in section 3.3, which was also proven by GPC, 1H NMR, IR and RAMAN spectroscopy. This applies to the homopolymerisation of ethoxyethyl glycidyl ether, allyl glycidyl ether and their copolymerisation with an amount of the allyl compound ~ 10 \%. Attempts for higher molecular weights up to 100 kDa showed an uncontrolled polymerisation behaviour and eventually can be improved in future by choosing a lower initiation temperature. Also, the allyl side groups were modified via radical induced thiol-ene chemistry to obtain positively charged functionalities via imidazolium moieties (85 \%) and negatively charged functionalities via phosphonamide moieties (100 \%) with quantitative degree of modifications. Hydrogel tests have still shown a remaining solution by using long linear polyglycidols carrying negative charges with long/short linear polyglycidols carrying positive charges. The addition of calcium chloride led to a precipitate of the polymer instead of a three-dimensional network formation representing a too high concentration of ions and therefore shielding water molecules with prevention from dissolving the polymer. These systems can be improved by tuning the polymers structure like longer polymer chains, longer spacer between polymer backbone and charge, and higher amount of functional groups. The objective of the thesis was partly reached containing detailed investigated synthetic routes for the design and characterisation of functional polymers which could be used in future with improvements for bioconjugation and hydrogel formation tests.}, subject = {Wasserl{\"o}sliche Polymere}, language = {en} } @article{AbdelhameedHabibEltahawyetal.2020, author = {Abdelhameed, Reda F. A. and Habib, Eman S. and Eltahawy, Nermeen A. and Hassanean, Hashim A. and Ibrahim, Amany K. and Mohammed, Anber F. and Fayez, Shaimaa and Hayallah, Alaa M. and Yamada, Koji and Behery, Fathy A. and Al-Sanea, Mohammad M. and Alzarea, Sami I. and Bringmann, Gerhard and Ahmed, Safwat A. and Abdelmohsen, Usama Ramadan}, title = {New cytotoxic natural products from the Red Sea sponge Stylissa carteri}, series = {Marine Drugs}, volume = {18}, journal = {Marine Drugs}, number = {5}, issn = {1660-3397}, doi = {10.3390/md18050241}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-205795}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Bioactivity-guided isolation supported by LC-HRESIMS metabolic profiling led to the isolation of two new compounds, a ceramide, stylissamide A (1), and a cerebroside, stylissoside A (2), from the methanol extract of the Red Sea sponge Stylissa carteri. Structure elucidation was achieved using spectroscopic techniques, including 1D and 2D NMR and HRMS. The bioactive extract's metabolomic profiling showed the existence of various secondary metabolites, mainly oleanane-type saponins, phenolic diterpenes, and lupane triterpenes. The in vitro cytotoxic activity of the isolated compounds was tested against two human cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and HepG2. Both compounds, 1 and 2, displayed strong cytotoxicity against the MCF-7 cell line, with IC\(_{50}\) values at 21.1 ± 0.17 µM and 27.5 ± 0.18 µM, respectively. They likewise showed a promising activity against HepG2 with IC\(_{50}\) at 36.8 ± 0.16 µM for 1 and IC\(_{50}\) 30.5 ± 0.23 µM for 2 compared to the standard drug cisplatin. Molecular docking experiments showed that 1 and 2 displayed high affinity to the SET protein and to inhibitor 2 of protein phosphatase 2A (I2PP2A), which could be a possible mechanism for their cytotoxic activity. This paper spreads light on the role of these metabolites in holding fouling organisms away from the outer surface of the sponge, and the potential use of these defensive molecules in the production of novel anticancer agents.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Bold2022, author = {Bold, Kevin}, title = {Macrocyclic Oligothiophene Bridged Perylene Bisimide Donor-Acceptor Dyads}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-27192}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-271926}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2022}, abstract = {A series of donor-acceptor macrocyclic architectures comprising oligothiophene strands that connect the imide positions of a perylene bisimide have been synthesized via a platinum-mediated cross-coupling strategy. The target structures were characterized by steady-state UV/Vis absorption, fluorescence and transient absorption spectroscopy, as well as cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry. Crystal structure analysis of the macrocycles revealed insights into the bridge arrangements. The properties of the macrocyclic bridges were compared to linear oligothiophene reference compounds which itself exhibited an unusual electrochemical effect.}, subject = {Perylenbisdicarboximide}, language = {en} } @unpublished{ScheitlMieczkowskiSchindelinetal.2022, author = {Scheitl, Carolin P. M. and Mieczkowski, Mateusz and Schindelin, Hermann and H{\"o}bartner, Claudia}, title = {Structure and mechanism of the methyltransferase ribozyme MTR1}, series = {Nature Chemical Biology}, journal = {Nature Chemical Biology}, edition = {submitted version}, doi = {10.1038/s41589-022-00976-x}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-272170}, year = {2022}, abstract = {RNA-catalysed RNA methylation was recently shown to be part of the catalytic repertoire of ribozymes. The methyltransferase ribozyme MTR1 catalyses the site-specific synthesis of 1-methyladenosine (m\(^1\)A) in RNA, using O\(^6\)-methylguanine (m\(^6\)G) as methyl group donor. Here we report the crystal structure of MTR1 at a resolution of 2.8 {\AA}, which reveals a guanine binding site reminiscent of natural guanine riboswitches. The structure represents the postcatalytic state of a split ribozyme in complex with the m1A-containing RNA product and the demethylated cofactor guanine. The structural data suggest the mechanistic involvement of a protonated cytidine in the methyl transfer reaction. A synergistic effect of two 2'-O-methylated ribose residues in the active site results in accelerated methyl group transfer. Supported by these results, it seems plausible that modified nucleotides may have enhanced early RNA catalysis and that metabolite-binding riboswitches may resemble inactivated ribozymes that have lost their catalytic activity during evolution.}, language = {en} } @article{WieseDennstaedtHollmannetal.2021, author = {Wiese, Teresa and Dennst{\"a}dt, Fabio and Hollmann, Claudia and Stonawski, Saskia and Wurst, Catherina and Fink, Julian and Gorte, Erika and Mandasari, Putri and Domschke, Katharina and Hommers, Leif and Vanhove, Bernard and Schumacher, Fabian and Kleuser, Burkard and Seibel, J{\"u}rgen and Rohr, Jan and Buttmann, Mathias and Menke, Andreas and Schneider-Schaulies, J{\"u}rgen and Beyersdorf, Niklas}, title = {Inhibition of acid sphingomyelinase increases regulatory T cells in humans}, series = {Brain Communications}, volume = {3}, journal = {Brain Communications}, number = {2}, doi = {10.1093/braincomms/fcab020}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-259868}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Genetic deficiency for acid sphingomyelinase or its pharmacological inhibition has been shown to increase Foxp3\(^+\) regulatory T-cell frequencies among CD4\(^+\) T cells in mice. We now investigated whether pharmacological targeting of the acid sphingomyelinase, which catalyzes the cleavage of sphingomyelin to ceramide and phosphorylcholine, also allows to manipulate relative CD4\(^+\) Foxp3\(^+\) regulatory T-cell frequencies in humans. Pharmacological acid sphingomyelinase inhibition with antidepressants like sertraline, but not those without an inhibitory effect on acid sphingomyelinase activity like citalopram, increased the frequency of Foxp3\(^+\) regulatory T cell among human CD4\(^+\) T cells in vitro. In an observational prospective clinical study with patients suffering from major depression, we observed that acid sphingomyelinase-inhibiting antidepressants induced a stronger relative increase in the frequency of CD4\(^+\) Foxp3\(^+\) regulatory T cells in peripheral blood than acid sphingomyelinase-non- or weakly inhibiting antidepressants. This was particularly true for CD45RA\(^-\) CD25\(^{high}\) effector CD4\(^+\) Foxp3\(^+\) regulatory T cells. Mechanistically, our data indicate that the positive effect of acid sphingomyelinase inhibition on CD4\(^+\) Foxp3\(^+\) regulatory T cells required CD28 co-stimulation, suggesting that enhanced CD28 co-stimulation was the driver of the observed increase in the frequency of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells among human CD4\(^+\) T cells. In summary, the widely induced pharmacological inhibition of acid sphingomyelinase activity in patients leads to an increase in Foxp3+ regulatory T-cell frequencies among CD4\(^+\) T cells in humans both in vivo and in vitro.}, language = {en} } @article{MieczkowskiSteinmetzgerBessietal.2021, author = {Mieczkowski, Mateusz and Steinmetzger, Christian and Bessi, Irene and Lenz, Ann-Kathrin and Schmiedel, Alexander and Holzapfel, Marco and Lambert, Christoph and Pena, Vladimir and H{\"o}bartner, Claudia}, title = {Large Stokes shift fluorescence activation in an RNA aptamer by intermolecular proton transfer to guanine}, series = {Nature Communications}, volume = {12}, journal = {Nature Communications}, doi = {10.1038/s41467-021-23932-0}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-270274}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Fluorogenic RNA aptamers are synthetic functional RNAs that specifically bind and activate conditional fluorophores. The Chili RNA aptamer mimics large Stokes shift fluorescent proteins and exhibits high affinity for 3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxybenzylidene imidazolone (DMHBI) derivatives to elicit green or red fluorescence emission. Here, we elucidate the structural and mechanistic basis of fluorescence activation by crystallography and time-resolved optical spectroscopy. Two co-crystal structures of the Chili RNA with positively charged DMHBO+ and DMHBI+ ligands revealed a G-quadruplex and a trans-sugar-sugar edge G:G base pair that immobilize the ligand by π-π stacking. A Watson-Crick G:C base pair in the fluorophore binding site establishes a short hydrogen bond between the N7 of guanine and the phenolic OH of the ligand. Ultrafast excited state proton transfer (ESPT) from the neutral chromophore to the RNA was found with a time constant of 130 fs and revealed the mode of action of the large Stokes shift fluorogenic RNA aptamer.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Gruene2022, author = {Gr{\"u}ne, Marvin}, title = {Solid-state NMR Spectroscopic, X-Ray Diffraction and Quantum Chemical Investigations of the Crystalline Cancer Drug Paclitaxel and Paclitaxel incorporated into Polymer Micelles}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-23719}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-237199}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Paclitaxel (PTX) is one of the leading drugs against breast and ovarian cancer. Due to its low solubility, treatment of the patients with this drug requires a very well-suited combination with a soluble pharmaceutical excipient to increase the bioavailability and reduce the strong side ef-fects. One efficient way to achieve this in the future could be the incorporation of PTX into pol-ymeric micelles composed of poly(2-oxazoline) based triblock copolymers (POL) which ena-bles PTX loadings of up to 50 wt.\%. However, structural information at an atomic level and thus the knowledge of interaction sites within these promising but complex PTX-POL formula-tions were not yet available. Such results could support the future development of improved excipients for PTX and suitable excipients for other pharmaceutical drugs. Therefore, a solid-state MAS NMR investigation of these amorphous formulations with different POL-PTX com-positions was performed in this thesis as this gives insights of the local structure at an atomic level in its solid state. NMR in solution showed very broad 13C signals of PTX for this system due to the reduced mobility of the incorporated drug which exclude this as an analytical meth-od. In a first study, crystalline PTX was structurally characterized by solid-state NMR as no com-plete 13C spectrum assignment and no 1H NMR data existed for the solid state. In addition, the asymmetric unit of the PTX crystal structure consists of two molecules (Z'=2) that can only be investigated in its solid state. As crystalline PTX in total has about 100 different 13C and 1H chemical shifts with very small differences due to Z'=2, and furthermore, its unit cell consisting of more than 900 atoms, accompanying GIPAW (CASTEP) calculations were required for NMR signal assignments. These calculations were performed using the first three available purely hydrous and anhydrous PTX structures, which were determined by XRD and published by Vel-la-Zarb et al. in 2013. Within this thesis, is was discovered that two investigated batches of commercially available PTX from the same supplier both contained an identical and so far un-known PTX phase that was elucidated by PXRD as well as solid-state NMR data. One of the two batches consists of an additional phase that was shown to be very similar to a known hy-drated phase published in 2013.[1] By heating the batch with the mixture of the two phases un-der vacuum, it is transformed completely to the new dry phase occurring in both PTX batches. Since the drying conditions to obtain anhydrous PTX in-situ on the PXRD setup described by Vella-Zarb et. al.[1] were much softer than ours, we identify our dry phase as a relaxed version of their published anhydrate structure. The PXRD data of the new anhydrate phase was trans-ferred into a new structural model, which currently undergoes geometry optimization. Based on solid-state NMR data at MAS spinning frequencies up to 100 kHz, a 13C and a partial 1H signal assignment for the new anhydrous structure were achieved. These results provided sufficient structural information for further investigations of the micellar POL-PTX system. In a second study, the applicability and benefit of two-dimensional solid-state 14N-1H HMQC MAS NMR spectra for the characterization of amorphous POL-PTX formulations was investi-gated. The mentioned technique has never been applied to a system of similar complexity be-fore and was chosen because around 84\% of the small-molecule drugs contain at least one nitrogen atom. In addition, the number of nitrogen atoms in both POL and PTX is much smaller than the number of carbons or hydrogens, which significantly reduces the spectral complexity. 14N has a natural abundance of 99.6\% but leads to quadrupolar broadening due to its nuclear spin quantum number I = 1. While this is usually undesirable due to broadening in the resulting 1D 14N NMR spectra, this effect is explicitly used in the 2D 14N-1H HMQC MAS experiment. The indirect 14N measurement can avoid the broadening while maintaining the advantage of the high natural abundance and making use of the much more dispersed signals due to the additional quadrupolar shifts as compared to 15N. This measurement method could be successfully applied to the complex amorphous POL-PTX mixtures. With increasing PTX loading of the formulations, additional peaks arise as spatial proximities of the amide nitrogens of POL to NH or OH groups of PTX. In addition, the 14N quadrupolar shift of these amide nitrogens decreases with increasing PTX content indicating a more symmetric nitrogen environment. The latter can be explained by a transformation of the trigonal planar coordination of the tertiary amide nitrogen atoms in pure POL towards a more tetrahedral environment upon PTX loading induced by the formation of hydrogen bonds with NH/OH groups of PTX. In the third and last project, the results of the two abovementioned studies were used and ex-tended by solid state 13C and two-dimensional 1H-13C as well as 1H-1H MAS NMR data with the aim to derive a structural model of the POL-PTX formulations at an atomic level. The knowledge of the NMR signal assignments for crystalline PTX was transferred to amorphous PTX (present in the micelles of the formulations). The 13C solid-state NMR signals were evalu-ated concerning changes in chemical shifts and full widths of half maximum (FWHM) for the different PTX loadings. In this way, the required information about possible interaction sites at an atomic level becomes available. Due to the complexity of these systems, such proximities often cannot be assigned to special atoms, but more to groups of atoms, as the individual de-velopments of line widths and line shifts are mutually dependent. An advantageous aspect for this analysis was that pure POL already forms unloaded micelles. The evaluation of the data showed that the terminal phenyl groups of PTX seem to be most involved in the interaction by the establishment of the micelle for lowest drug loading and that they are likely to react to the change in the amount of PTX molecules as well. For the incorporation of PTX in the micelles, the following model could be obtained: For lowest drug loading, PTX is mainly located in the inner part of the micelles. Upon further increasing of the loading, it progressively extends to-ward the micellar shell. This could be well shown by the increasing interactions of the hydro-phobic butyl chain of POL and PTX, proceeding in the direction of the polymer backbone with rising drug load. Furthermore, due to the size of PTX and the hydrodynamic radius of the mi-celles, even at the lowest loading, the PTX molecules partially reach the core-shell interface of the micelle. Upon increasing the drug loading, the surface coverage with PTX clusters increas-es based on the obtained model approach. The latter result is supported by DLS and SANS data of this system. The abovementioned results of the 14N-1H HMQC MAS investigation of the POL-PTX formulations support the outlined model. As an outlook, the currently running geometry optimization and subsequently scheduled calcu-lation of the chemical shieldings of the newly obtained anhydrous PTX crystal structure can further improve the solid-state NMR characterization through determination of further spatial proximities among protons using the existing 2D 1H(DQ)-1H(SQ) solid-state MAS NMR spec-trum at 100 kHz rotor spinning frequency. The 2D 14N-1H HMQC MAS NMR experiments were shown to have great potential as a technique for the analysis of other disordered and amor-phous drug delivery systems as well. The results of this thesis should be subsequently applied to other micellar systems with varying pharmaceutical excipients or active ingredients with the goal of systematically achieving higher drug loadings (e.g., for the investigated PTX, the similar drug docetaxel or even different natural products). Additionally, it is planned to transfer the knowledge to another complex polymer system containing poly(amino acids) which offers hy-drogen bonding donor sites for additional intermolecular interactions. Currently, the POL-PTX system is investigated by further SANS studies that may provide another puzzle piece to the model as complementary measurement method in the future. In addition, the use of MD simu-lations might be considered in the future. This would allow a computerized linking of the differ-ent pieces of information with the aim to determine the most likely model.}, subject = {Wirkstoff-Tr{\"a}ger-System}, language = {en} } @article{ZimniakKirschnerHilpertetal.2021, author = {Zimniak, Melissa and Kirschner, Luisa and Hilpert, Helen and Geiger, Nina and Danov, Olga and Oberwinkler, Heike and Steinke, Maria and Sewald, Katherina and Seibel, J{\"u}rgen and Bodem, Jochen}, title = {The serotonin reuptake inhibitor Fluoxetine inhibits SARS-CoV-2 in human lung tissue}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {11}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-021-85049-0}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-259820}, pages = {5890}, year = {2021}, abstract = {To circumvent time-consuming clinical trials, testing whether existing drugs are effective inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2, has led to the discovery of Remdesivir. We decided to follow this path and screened approved medications "off-label" against SARS-CoV-2. Fluoxetine inhibited SARS-CoV-2 at a concentration of 0.8 mu g/ml significantly in these screenings, and the EC50 was determined with 387 ng/ml. Furthermore, Fluoxetine reduced viral infectivity in precision-cut human lung slices showing its activity in relevant human tissue targeted in severe infections. Fluoxetine treatment resulted in a decrease in viral protein expression. Fluoxetine is a racemate consisting of both stereoisomers, while the S-form is the dominant serotonin reuptake inhibitor. We found that both isomers show similar activity on the virus, indicating that the R-form might specifically be used for SARS-CoV-2 treatment. Fluoxetine inhibited neither Rabies virus, human respiratory syncytial virus replication nor the Human Herpesvirus 8 or Herpes simplex virus type 1 gene expression, indicating that it acts virus-specific. Moreover, since it is known that Fluoxetine inhibits cytokine release, we see the role of Fluoxetine in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infected patients of risk groups.}, language = {en} } @article{AltmannMutWolfetal.2021, author = {Altmann, Stephan and Mut, J{\"u}rgen and Wolf, Natalia and Meißner-Weigl, Jutta and Rudert, Maximilian and Jakob, Franz and Gutmann, Marcus and L{\"u}hmann, Tessa and Seibel, J{\"u}rgen and Ebert, Regina}, title = {Metabolic glycoengineering in hMSC-TERT as a model for skeletal precursors by using modified azide/alkyne monosaccharides}, series = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences}, volume = {22}, journal = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences}, number = {6}, issn = {1422-0067}, doi = {10.3390/ijms22062820}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-259247}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Metabolic glycoengineering enables a directed modification of cell surfaces by introducing target molecules to surface proteins displaying new features. Biochemical pathways involving glycans differ in dependence on the cell type; therefore, this technique should be tailored for the best results. We characterized metabolic glycoengineering in telomerase-immortalized human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSC-TERT) as a model for primary hMSC, to investigate its applicability in TERT-modified cell lines. The metabolic incorporation of N-azidoacetylmannosamine (Ac\(_4\)ManNAz) and N-alkyneacetylmannosamine (Ac\(_4\)ManNAl) into the glycocalyx as a first step in the glycoengineering process revealed no adverse effects on cell viability or gene expression, and the in vitro multipotency (osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation potential) was maintained under these adapted culture conditions. In the second step, glycoengineered cells were modified with fluorescent dyes using Cu-mediated click chemistry. In these analyses, the two mannose derivatives showed superior incorporation efficiencies compared to glucose and galactose isomers. In time-dependent experiments, the incorporation of Ac\(_4\)ManNAz was detectable for up to six days while Ac\(_4\)ManNAl-derived metabolites were absent after two days. Taken together, these findings demonstrate the successful metabolic glycoengineering of immortalized hMSC resulting in transient cell surface modifications, and thus present a useful model to address different scientific questions regarding glycosylation processes in skeletal precursors.}, language = {en} } @article{PetersKaiserFinketal.2021, author = {Peters, Simon and Kaiser, Lena and Fink, Julian and Schumacher, Fabian and Perschin, Veronika and Schlegel, Jan and Sauer, Markus and Stigloher, Christian and Kleuser, Burkhard and Seibel, Juergen and Schubert-Unkmeir, Alexandra}, title = {Click-correlative light and electron microscopy (click-AT-CLEM) for imaging and tracking azido-functionalized sphingolipids in bacteria}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {11}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, number = {1}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-021-83813-w}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-259147}, pages = {4300}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Sphingolipids, including ceramides, are a diverse group of structurally related lipids composed of a sphingoid base backbone coupled to a fatty acid side chain and modified terminal hydroxyl group. Recently, it has been shown that sphingolipids show antimicrobial activity against a broad range of pathogenic microorganisms. The antimicrobial mechanism, however, remains so far elusive. Here, we introduce 'click-AT-CLEM', a labeling technique for correlated light and electron microscopy (CLEM) based on the super-resolution array tomography (srAT) approach and bio-orthogonal click chemistry for imaging of azido-tagged sphingolipids to directly visualize their interaction with the model Gram-negative bacterium Neisseria meningitidis at subcellular level. We observed ultrastructural damage of bacteria and disruption of the bacterial outer membrane induced by two azido-modified sphingolipids by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Click-AT-CLEM imaging and mass spectrometry clearly revealed efficient incorporation of azido-tagged sphingolipids into the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria as underlying cause of their antimicrobial activity.}, language = {en} } @article{Roehr2021, author = {R{\"o}hr, Merle I. S.}, title = {New theoretical methods for the exploration of functional landscapes}, series = {International Journal of Quantum Chemistry}, volume = {121}, journal = {International Journal of Quantum Chemistry}, number = {24}, doi = {10.1002/qua.26747}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-257682}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Molecular functionality can be often directly attributed to given properties of the electronic wavefunction. Analogous to the potential energy surface, these properties can be represented as a function of the nuclear coordinates, giving rise to molecular "functional landscapes." However, so far there has been no possibility for their systematic investigation. This perspective aims to discuss the development of new theoretical methods based on the multistate extension of the metadynamics approach, employing electronic collective variables. This emerging methodology allows to explore functional landscapes and to gain a deeper understanding of the structure-function relation in molecules and complex molecular systems in the ground and excited electronic state.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Schindler2022, author = {Schindler, Dorothee}, title = {Water Oxidation with Multinuclear Ruthenium Catalysts}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-23309}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-233093}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2022}, abstract = {In terms of the need of environmentally benign renewable and storable energy sources, splitting of water into hydrogen and oxygen by using sunlight is a promising approach. Hereby, water oxidation catalysts (WOCs) are required to perform the water oxidation comprising the transfer of four electrons to provide the reducing equivalents for producing hydrogen. The class of Ru(bda) (bda = 2,2'-bipyridine-6,6'-dicarboxylate) catalysts has proven to be efficient for this reaction. In this thesis, ligand exchange processes in Ru(bda) complexes have been analyzed and the formation of multinuclear macrocyclic WOCs was studied. Based on the knowledge acquired by these studies, new multinuclear cyclic Ru(bda) complexes have been synthesized and their catalytic efficiencies in homogeneous water oxidation have been investigated. Going one step further for setting up functional devices, molecular WOCs have been immobilized on conducting or semiconducting supporting materials. Direct anchoring on carbon nanotubes generated a promising materials for further applications.}, subject = {Rutheniumkomplexe}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Dietzsch2022, author = {Dietzsch, Julia}, title = {Nucleic acid-mediated fluorescence activation and chromophore assembly}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-25976}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-259761}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Nucleic acids are not only one of the most important classes of macromolecules in biochemistry but also a promising platform for the defined arrangement of chromophores. Thanks to their precise organization by directional polar and hydrophobic interactions, oligonucleotides can be exploited as suitable templates for multichromophore assemblies with predictable properties. To expand the toolbox of emissive, base pairing nucleobase analogs several barbituric acid merocyanine (BAM) chromophores with tunable spectroscopic properties were synthesized and incorporated into RNA, DNA and glycol nucleic acid (GNA) oligonucleotides. A multitude of duplexes containing up to ten BAM chromophores was obtained and analysis by spectroscopic methods revealed the presence of dipolarly coupled merocyanine aggregates with properties strongly dependent on the chromophore orientation toward each other and the backbone conformation. These characteristics were exploited for various applications such as FRET pair formation and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) experiments. The observed formation of higher-order aggregates implies future applications of these new oligonucleotide-chromophore systems as light-harvesting DNA nanomaterials. Besides oligonucleotide templated covalent assembly of chromophores also non-covalent nucleic acid-chromophore complexes are a broad field of research. Among these, fluorogenic RNA aptamers are of special interest with the most versatile ones based on derivatives of the GFP chromophore hydroxybenzylidene imidazolone (HBI). Therefore, new HBI-derived chromophores with an expanded conjugated system and an additional exocyclic amino group for an enhanced binding affinity were synthesized and analyzed in complex with the Chili aptamer. Among these, structurally new fluorogenes with strong fluorescence activation upon binding to Chili were identified which are promising for further derivatization and application as color-switching sensor devices for example.}, subject = {Nucleins{\"a}uren}, language = {en} } @article{TurkinHolzapfelAgarwaletal.2021, author = {Turkin, Arthur and Holzapfel, Marco and Agarwal, Mohit and Fischermeier, David and Mitric, Roland and Schweins, Ralf and Gr{\"o}hns, Franziska and Lambert, Christoph}, title = {Solvent Induced Helix Folding of Defined Indolenine Squaraine Oligomers}, series = {Chemistry—A European Journal}, volume = {27}, journal = {Chemistry—A European Journal}, number = {32}, doi = {10.1002/chem.202101063}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-256869}, pages = {8380-8389}, year = {2021}, abstract = {A protecting group strategy was employed to synthesise a series of indolenine squaraine dye oligomers up to the nonamer. The longer oligomers show a distinct solvent dependence of the absorption spectra, that is, either a strong blue shift or a strong red shift of the lowest energy bands in the near infrared spectral region. This behaviour is explained by exciton coupling theory as being due to H- or J-type coupling of transition moments. The H-type coupling is a consequence of a helix folding in solvents with a small Hansen dispersity index. DOSY NMR, small angle neutron scattering (SANS), quantum chemical and force field calculations agree upon a helix structure with an unusually large pitch and open voids that are filled with solvent molecules, thereby forming a kind of clathrate. The thermodynamic parameters of the folding process were determined by temperature dependent optical absorption spectra.}, language = {en} } @article{MerzMerzKirchneretal.2021, author = {Merz, Viktor and Merz, Julia and Kirchner, Maximilian and Lenhart, Julian and Marder, Todd B. and Krueger, Anke}, title = {Pyrene-Based "Turn-Off" Probe with Broad Detection Range for Cu\(^{2+}\), Pb\(^{2+}\) and Hg\(^{2+}\) Ions}, series = {Chemistry—A European Journal}, volume = {27}, journal = {Chemistry—A European Journal}, number = {31}, doi = {10.1002/chem.202100594}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-256803}, pages = {8118-8126}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Detection of metals in different environments with high selectivity and specificity is one of the prerequisites of the fight against environmental pollution with these elements. Pyrenes are well suited for the fluorescence sensing in different media. The applied sensing principle typically relies on the formation of intra- and intermolecular excimers, which is however limiting the sensitivity range due to masking of e. g. quenching effects by the excimer emission. Herein we report a highly selective, structurally rigid chemical sensor based on the monomer fluorescence of pyrene moieties bearing triazole groups. This sensor can quantitatively detect Cu\(^{2+}\), Pb\(^{2+}\) and Hg\(^{2+}\) in organic solvents over a broad concentrations range, even in the presence of ubiquitous ions such as Na\(^{+}\), K\(^{+}\), Ca\(^{2+}\) and Mg\(^{2+}\). The strongly emissive sensor's fluorescence with a long lifetime of 165 ns is quenched by a 1 : 1 complex formation upon addition of metal ions in acetonitrile. Upon addition of a tenfold excess of the metal ion to the sensor, agglomerates with a diameter of about 3 nm are formed. Due to complex interactions in the system, conventional linear correlations are not observed for all concentrations. Therefore, a critical comparison between the conventional Job plot interpretation, the method of Benesi-Hildebrand, and a non-linear fit is presented. The reported system enables the specific and robust sensing of medically and environmentally relevant ions in the health-relevant nM range and could be used e. g. for the monitoring of the respective ions in waste streams.}, language = {en} } @article{SchindlerMezaChinchaRothetal.2021, author = {Schindler, Dorothee and Meza-Chincha, Anna-Lucia and Roth, Maximilian and W{\"u}rthner, Frank}, title = {Structure-Activity Relationship for Di- up to Tetranuclear Macrocyclic Ruthenium Catalysts in Homogeneous Water Oxidation}, series = {Chemistry—A European Journal}, volume = {27}, journal = {Chemistry—A European Journal}, number = {68}, doi = {10.1002/chem.202100549}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-256792}, pages = {16938-16946}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Two di- and tetranuclear Ru(bda) (bda: 2,2′-bipyridine-6,6′-dicarboxylate) macrocyclic complexes were synthesized and their catalytic activities in chemical and photochemical water oxidation investigated in a comparative manner to our previously reported trinuclear congener. Our studies have shown that the catalytic activities of this homologous series of multinuclear Ru(bda) macrocycles in homogeneous water oxidation are dependent on their size, exhibiting highest efficiencies for the largest tetranuclear catalyst. The turnover frequencies (TOFs) have increased from di- to tetranuclear macrocycles not only per catalyst molecule but more importantly also per Ru unit with TOF of 6 \(^{-1}\) to 8.7 \(^{-1}\) and 10.5 s\(^{-1}\) in chemical and 0.6 s\(^{-1}\) to 3.3 \(^{-1}\) and 5.8 \(^{-1}\) in photochemical water oxidation per Ru unit, respectively. Thus, for the first time, a clear structure-activity relationship could be established for this novel class of macrocyclic water oxidation catalysts.}, language = {en} } @article{SchaeferBuehlerHeyeretal.2021, author = {Sch{\"a}fer, Natalie and B{\"u}hler, Michael and Heyer, Lisa and R{\"o}hr, Merle I. S. and Beuerle, Florian}, title = {Endohedral Hydrogen Bonding Templates the Formation of a Highly Strained Covalent Organic Cage Compound}, series = {Chemistry—A European Journal}, volume = {27}, journal = {Chemistry—A European Journal}, number = {19}, doi = {10.1002/chem.202005276}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-256762}, pages = {6077-6085}, year = {2021}, abstract = {A highly strained covalent organic cage compound was synthesized from hexahydroxy tribenzotriquinacene (TBTQ) and a meta-terphenyl-based diboronic acid with an additional benzoic acid substituent in 2'-position. Usually, a 120° bite angle in the unsubstituted ditopic linker favors the formation of a [4+6] cage assembly. Here, the introduction of the benzoic acid group is shown to lead to a perfectly preorganized circular hydrogen-bonding array in the cavity of a trigonal-bipyramidal [2+3] cage, which energetically overcompensates the additional strain energy caused by the larger mismatch in bite angles for the smaller assembly. The strained cage compound was analyzed by mass spectrometry and \(^{1}\)H, \(^{13}\)C and DOSY NMR spectroscopy. DFT calculations revealed the energetic contribution of the hydrogen-bonding template to the cage stability. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulations on early intermediates indicate an additional kinetic effect, as hydrogen bonding also preorganizes and rigidifies small oligomers to facilitate the exclusive formation of smaller and more strained macrocycles and cages.}, language = {en} } @unpublished{SednevLiaqatHoebartner2022, author = {Sednev, Maksim V. and Liaqat, Anam and H{\"o}bartner, Claudia}, title = {High-Throughput Activity Profiling of RNA-Cleaving DNA Catalysts by Deoxyribozyme Sequencing (DZ-seq)}, series = {Journal of the American Chemical Society}, journal = {Journal of the American Chemical Society}, doi = {10.1021/jacs.1c12489}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-258520}, year = {2022}, abstract = {RNA-cleaving deoxyribozymes have found broad application as useful tools for RNA biochemistry. However, tedious in vitro selection procedures combined with laborious characterization of individual candidate catalysts hinder the discovery of novel catalytic motifs. Here, we present a new high-throughput sequencing method, DZ-seq, which directly measures activity and localizes cleavage sites of thousands of deoxyribozymes. DZ-seq exploits A-tailing followed by reverse transcription with an oligo-dT primer to capture the cleavage status and sequences of both deoxyribozyme and RNA substrate. We validated DZ-seq by conventional analytical methods and demonstrated its utility by discovery of novel deoxyribozymes that allow for cleaving challenging RNA targets or the analysis of RNA modification states.}, language = {en} } @article{SchulzWuerthner2022, author = {Schulz, Alexander and W{\"u}rthner, Frank}, title = {Folding-induced fluorescence enhancement in a series of merocyanine hetero-folda-trimers}, series = {Angewandte Chemie International Edition}, volume = {61}, journal = {Angewandte Chemie International Edition}, number = {2}, doi = {10.1002/anie.202114667}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-256582}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Many dyes suffer from fast non-radiative decay pathways, thereby showing only short-lived excited states and weak photoluminescence. Here we show a pronounced fluorescence enhancement for a weakly fluorescent merocyanine (MC) dye by being co-facially stacked to other dyes in hetero-folda-trimer architectures. By means of fluorescence spectroscopy (lifetime, quantum yield) the fluorescence enhancement was explained by the rigidification of the emitting chromophore in the defined foldamer architecture and the presence of a non-forbidden lowest exciton state in H-coupled hetero-aggregates. This folding-induced fluorescence enhancement (FIFE) for specific sequences of π-stacked dyes points at a viable strategy toward improved fluorophores that relates to the approach used by nature in the green fluorescent protein (GFP).}, language = {en} } @article{ZhangRadackiBraunschweigetal.2021, author = {Zhang, Fangyuan and Radacki, Krzysztof and Braunschweig, Holger and Lambert, Christoph and Ravat, Prince}, title = {Zinc-[7]helicenocyanine and its discrete π-stacked homochiral Dimer}, series = {Angewandte Chemie International Edition}, volume = {60}, journal = {Angewandte Chemie International Edition}, doi = {10.1002/anie.202109380}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-256534}, pages = {23656-23660}, year = {2021}, abstract = {In this communication, we demonstrate a novel approach to prepare a discrete dimer of chiral phthalocyanine (Pc) by exploiting the flexible molecular geometry of helicenes, which enables structural interlocking and strong aggregation tendency of Pcs. Synthesized [7]helicene-Pc hybrid molecular structure, zinc-[7]helicenocyanine (Zn-7HPc), exclusively forms a stable dimeric pair consisting of two homochiral molecules. The dimerization constants were estimated to be as high as 8.96×10\(^6\) M\(^{-1}\) and 3.42×107 M\(^{-1}\) in THF and DMSO, respectively, indicating remarkable stability of dimer. In addition, Zn\(^{-7}\)HPc exhibited chiral self-sorting behavior, which resulted in preferential formation of a homochiral dimer also in the racemic sample. Two phthalocyanine subunits in the dimeric form strongly communicate with each other as revealed by a large comproportionation constant and observation of an IV-CT band for the thermodynamically stable mixed-valence state.}, language = {en} } @article{BoldStolteShoyamaetal.2022, author = {Bold, Kevin and Stolte, Matthias and Shoyama, Kazutaka and Holzapfel, Marco and Schmiedel, Alexander and Lambert, Christoph and W{\"u}rthner, Frank}, title = {Macrocyclic donor-acceptor dyads composed of a perylene bisimide dye surrounded by oligothiophene bridges}, series = {Angewandte Chemie Internationale Edition}, volume = {61}, journal = {Angewandte Chemie Internationale Edition}, number = {1}, doi = {10.1002/anie.202113598}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-256569}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Two macrocyclic architectures comprising oligothiophene strands that connect the imide positions of a perylene bisimide (PBI) dye have been synthesized via a platinum-mediated cross-coupling strategy. The crystal structure of the double bridged PBI reveals all syn-arranged thiophene units that completely enclose the planar PBI chromophore via a 12-membered macrocycle. The target structures were characterized by steady-state UV/Vis absorption, fluorescence and transient absorption spectroscopy, as well as cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry. Both donor-acceptor dyads show ultrafast F{\"o}rster Resonance Energy Transfer and photoinduced electron transfer, thereby leading to extremely low fluorescence quantum yields even in the lowest polarity cyclohexane solvent.}, language = {en} } @article{IvanovaKoesterHolsteinetal.2021, author = {Ivanova, Svetlana and K{\"o}ster, Eva and Holstein, Julian J. and Keller, Niklas and Clever, Guido H. and Bein, Thomas and Beuerle, Florian}, title = {Isoreticular crystallization of highly porous cubic covalent organic cage compounds}, series = {Angewandte Chemie International Edition}, volume = {60}, journal = {Angewandte Chemie International Edition}, number = {32}, doi = {10.1002/anie.202102982}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-256462}, pages = {17455-17463}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Modular frameworks featuring well-defined pore structures in microscale domains establish tailor-made porous materials. For open molecular solids however, maintaining long-range order after desolvation is inherently challenging, since packing is usually governed by only a few supramolecular interactions. Here we report on two series of nanocubes obtained by co-condensation of two different hexahydroxy tribenzotriquinacenes (TBTQs) and benzene-1,4-diboronic acids (BDBAs) with varying linear alkyl chains in 2,5-position. n-Butyl groups at the apical position of the TBTQ vertices yielded soluble model compounds, which were analyzed by mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy. In contrast, methyl-substituted cages spontaneously crystallized as isostructural and highly porous solids with BET surface areas and pore volumes of up to 3426 m\(^2\) g\(^{-1}\) and 1.84 cm\(^3\) g\(^{-1}\). Single crystal X-ray diffraction and sorption measurements revealed an intricate cubic arrangement of alternating micro- and mesopores in the range of 0.97-2.2 nm that are fine-tuned by the alkyl substituents at the BDBA linker.}, language = {en} } @article{LiaqatSednevStilleretal.2021, author = {Liaqat, Anam and Sednev, Maksim V. and Stiller, Carina and H{\"o}bartner, Claudia}, title = {RNA-cleaving deoxyribozymes differentiate methylated cytidine isomers in RNA}, series = {Angewandte Chemie International Edition}, volume = {60}, journal = {Angewandte Chemie International Edition}, doi = {10.1002/anie.202106517}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-256519}, pages = {19058-19062}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Deoxyribozymes are emerging as modification-specific endonucleases for the analysis of epigenetic RNA modifications. Here, we report RNA-cleaving deoxyribozymes that differentially respond to the presence of natural methylated cytidines, 3-methylcytidine (m\(^3\)C), N\(^4\)-methylcytidine (m\(^4\)C), and 5-methylcytidine (m\(^5\)C), respectively. Using in vitro selection, we found several DNA catalysts, which are selectively activated by only one of the three cytidine isomers, and display 10- to 30-fold accelerated cleavage of their target m\(^3\)C-, m\(^4\)C- or m\(^5\)C-modified RNA. An additional deoxyribozyme is strongly inhibited by any of the three methylcytidines, but effectively cleaves unmodified RNA. The mXC-detecting deoxyribozymes are programmable for the interrogation of natural RNAs of interest, as demonstrated for human mitochondrial tRNAs containing known m\(^3\)C and m\(^5\)C sites. The results underline the potential of synthetic functional DNA to shape highly selective active sites.}, language = {en} } @article{ShenBialasHechtetal.2021, author = {Shen, Chia-An and Bialas, David and Hecht, Markus and Stepanenko, Vladimir and Sugiyasu, Kazunori and W{\"u}rthner, Frank}, title = {Polymorphism in squaraine dye aggregates by self-assembly pathway differentiation: panchromatic tubular dye nanorods versus J-aggregate nanosheets}, series = {Angewandte Chemie International Edition}, journal = {Angewandte Chemie International Edition}, number = {21}, edition = {60}, doi = {10.1002/anie.202102183}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-256443}, pages = {11949-11958}, year = {2021}, abstract = {A bis(squaraine) dye equipped with alkyl and oligoethyleneglycol chains was synthesized by connecting two dicyanomethylene substituted squaraine dyes with a phenylene spacer unit. The aggregation behavior of this bis(squaraine) was investigated in non-polar toluene/tetrachloroethane (98:2) solvent mixture, which revealed competing cooperative self-assembly pathways into two supramolecular polymorphs with entirely different packing structures and UV/Vis/NIR absorption properties. The self-assembly pathway can be controlled by the cooling rate from a heated solution of the monomers. For both polymorphs, quasi-equilibrium conditions between monomers and the respective aggregates can be established to derive thermodynamic parameters and insights into the self-assembly mechanisms. AFM measurements revealed a nanosheet structure with a height of 2 nm for the thermodynamically more stable polymorph and a tubular nanorod structure with a helical pitch of 13 nm and a diameter of 5 nm for the kinetically favored polymorph. Together with wide angle X-ray scattering measurements, packing models were derived: the thermodynamic polymorph consists of brick-work type nanosheets that exhibit red-shifted absorption bands as typical for J-aggregates, while the nanorod polymorph consists of eight supramolecular polymer strands of the bis(squaraine) intertwined to form a chimney-type tubular structure. The absorption of this aggregate covers a large spectral range from 550 to 875 nm, which cannot be rationalized by the conventional exciton theory. By applying the Essential States Model and considering intermolecular charge transfer, the aggregate spectrum was adequately reproduced, revealing that the broad absorption spectrum is due to pronounced donor-acceptor overlap within the bis(squaraine) nanorods. The latter is also responsible for the pronounced bathochromic shift observed for the nanosheet structure as a result of the slip-stacked arranged squaraine chromophores.}, language = {en} } @article{KimLiessStolteetal.2021, author = {Kim, Jin Hong and Liess, Andreas and Stolte, Matthias and Krause, Ana-Maria and Stepanenko, Vladimir and Zhong, Chuwei and Bialas, David and Spano, Frank and W{\"u}rthner, Frank}, title = {An Efficient Narrowband Near-Infrared at 1040 nm Organic Photodetector Realized by Intermolecular Charge Transfer Mediated Coupling Based on a Squaraine Dye}, series = {Advanced Materials}, volume = {33}, journal = {Advanced Materials}, number = {26}, doi = {10.1002/adma.202100582}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-256374}, year = {2021}, abstract = {A highly sensitive short-wave infrared (SWIR, λ > 1000 nm) organic photodiode (OPD) is described based on a well-organized nanocrystalline bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) active layer composed of a dicyanovinyl-functionalized squaraine dye (SQ-H) donor material in combination with PC\(_{61}\)BM. Through thermal annealing, dipolar SQ-H chromophores self-assemble in a nanoscale structure with intermolecular charge transfer mediated coupling, resulting in a redshifted and narrow absorption band at 1040 nm as well as enhanced charge carrier mobility. The optimized OPD exhibits an external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 12.3\% and a full-width at half-maximum of only 85 nm (815 cm\(^{-1}\)) at 1050 nm under 0 V, which is the first efficient SWIR OPD based on J-type aggregates. Photoplethysmography application for heart-rate monitoring is successfully demonstrated on flexible substrates without applying reverse bias, indicating the potential of OPDs based on short-range coupled dye aggregates for low-power operating wearable applications.}, language = {en} } @article{LehmannBaumannLambovetal.2021, author = {Lehmann, Matthias and Baumann, Maximilian and Lambov, Martin and Eremin, Alexey}, title = {Parallel polar dimers in the columnar self-assembly of umbrella-shaped subphthalocyanine mesogens}, series = {Advanced Functional Materials}, volume = {31}, journal = {Advanced Functional Materials}, number = {38}, doi = {10.1002/adfm.202104217}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-256343}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The self-assembly of umbrella-shaped mesogens is explored with subphthalocyanine cores and oligo(thienyl) arms with different lengths in the light of their application as light-harvesting and photoconducting materials. While the shortest arm derivatives self-assemble in a conventional columnar phase with a single mesogen as a repeating unit, the more extended derivatives generate dimers that pile up into liquid crystalline columns. In contrast to the antiparallel arrangement known from single crystals, the present mesogens align as parallel dimers in polar columnar phases as confirmed by X-ray scattering, experimental densities, dielectric spectroscopy, second harmonic generation, alignment, and conductivity studies. UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopies reveal a broad absorption in the visible range and only weak emission of the Q-band. Thus, these light-collecting molecules forming strongly polar columnar mesophases are attractive for application in the area of photoconductive materials.}, language = {en} } @article{EltamanyAbdelmohsenHaletal.2021, author = {Eltamany, Enas E. and Abdelmohsen, Usama Ramadan and Hal, Dina M. and Ibrahim, Amany K. and Hassanean, Hashim A. and Abdelhameed, Reda F. A. and Temraz, Tarek A. and Hajjar, Dina and Makki, Arwa A. and Hendawy, Omnia Magdy and AboulMagd, Asmaa M. and Youssif, Khayrya A. and Bringmann, Gerhard and Ahmed, Safwat A.}, title = {Holospiniferoside: A New Antitumor Cerebroside from The Red Sea Cucumber Holothuria spinifera: In Vitro and In Silico Studies}, series = {Molecules}, volume = {26}, journal = {Molecules}, number = {6}, issn = {1420-3049}, doi = {10.3390/molecules26061555}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-234058}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Chemical investigation of the methanolic extract of the Red Sea cucumber Holothuria spinifera led to the isolation of a new cerebroside, holospiniferoside (1), together with thymidine (2), methyl-α-d-glucopyranoside (3), a new triacylglycerol (4), and cholesterol (5). Their chemical structures were established by NMR and mass spectrometric analysis, including gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). All the isolated compounds are reported in this species for the first time. Moreover, compound 1 exhibited promising in vitro antiproliferative effect on the human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) with IC\(_{50}\) of 20.6 µM compared to the IC50 of 15.3 µM for the drug cisplatin. To predict the possible mechanism underlying the cytotoxicity of compound 1, a docking study was performed to elucidate its binding interactions with the active site of the protein Mdm2-p53. Compound 1 displayed an apoptotic activity via strong interaction with the active site of the target protein. This study highlights the importance of marine natural products in the design of new anticancer agents.}, language = {en} } @article{KleiberLemusDiazStilleretal.2022, author = {Kleiber, Nicole and Lemus-Diaz, Nicolas and Stiller, Carina and Heinrichs, Marleen and Mong-Quyen Mai, Mandy and Hackert, Philipp and Richter-Dennerlein, Ricarda and H{\"o}bartner, Claudia and Bohnsack, Katherine E. and Bohnsack, Markus T.}, title = {The RNA methyltransferase METTL8 installs m\(^3\)C\(_{32}\) in mitochondrial tRNAs\(^{Thr/Ser(UCN)}\) to optimise tRNA structure and mitochondrial translation}, series = {Nature Communication}, volume = {13}, journal = {Nature Communication}, doi = {10.1038/s41467-021-27905-1}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-254592}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Modified nucleotides in tRNAs are important determinants of folding, structure and function. Here we identify METTL8 as a mitochondrial matrix protein and active RNA methyltransferase responsible for installing m\(^3\)C\(_{32}\) in the human mitochondrial (mt-)tRNA\(^{Thr}\) and mt-tRNA\(^{Ser(UCN)}\). METTL8 crosslinks to the anticodon stem loop (ASL) of many mt-tRNAs in cells, raising the question of how methylation target specificity is achieved. Dissection of mttRNA recognition elements revealed U\(_{34}\)G\(_{35}\) and t\(^6\)A\(_{37}\)/(ms\(^2\))i\(^6\)A\(_{37}\), present concomitantly only in the ASLs of the two substrate mt-tRNAs, as key determinants for METTL8-mediated methylation of C\(_{32}\). Several lines of evidence demonstrate the influence of U\(_{34}\), G\(_{35}\), and the m\(^3\)C\(_{32}\) and t\(^6\)A\(_{37}\)/(ms\(^2\))i\(^6\)A\(_{37}\) modifications in mt-tRNA\(^{Thr/Ser(UCN)}\) on the structure of these mt-tRNAs. Although mt-tRNA\(^{Thr/Ser(UCN)}\) lacking METTL8-mediated m\(^3\)C\(_{32}\) are efficiently aminoacylated and associate with mitochondrial ribosomes, mitochondrial translation is mildly impaired by lack of METTL8. Together these results define the cellular targets of METTL8 and shed new light on the role of m\(^3\)C\(_{32}\) within mt-tRNAs.}, language = {en} } @article{KabingerStillerSchmitzovaetal.2021, author = {Kabinger, Florian and Stiller, Carina and Schmitzov{\´a}, Jana and Dienemann, Christian and Kokic, Goran and Hillen, Hauke S. and H{\"o}bartner, Claudia and Cramer, Patrick}, title = {Mechanism of molnupiravir-induced SARS-CoV-2 mutagenesis}, series = {Nature Structural \& Molecular Biology}, volume = {28}, journal = {Nature Structural \& Molecular Biology}, doi = {10.1038/s41594-021-00651-0}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-254603}, pages = {740-746}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Molnupiravir is an orally available antiviral drug candidate currently in phase III trials for the treatment of patients with COVID-19. Molnupiravir increases the frequency of viral RNA mutations and impairs SARS-CoV-2 replication in animal models and in humans. Here, we establish the molecular mechanisms underlying molnupiravir-induced RNA mutagenesis by the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). Biochemical assays show that the RdRp uses the active form of molnupiravir, β-d-\(N^4\)-hydroxycytidine (NHC) triphosphate, as a substrate instead of cytidine triphosphate or uridine triphosphate. When the RdRp uses the resulting RNA as a template, NHC directs incorporation of either G or A, leading to mutated RNA products. Structural analysis of RdRp-RNA complexes that contain mutagenesis products shows that NHC can form stable base pairs with either G or A in the RdRp active center, explaining how the polymerase escapes proofreading and synthesizes mutated RNA. This two-step mutagenesis mechanism probably applies to various viral polymerases and can explain the broad-spectrum antiviral activity of molnupiravir.}, language = {en} } @article{DietzschBialasBandorfetal.2022, author = {Dietzsch, Julia and Bialas, David and Bandorf, Johannes and W{\"u}rthner, Frank and H{\"o}bartner, Claudia}, title = {Tuning Exciton Coupling of Merocyanine Nucleoside Dimers by RNA, DNA and GNA Double Helix Conformations}, series = {Angewandte Chemie International Edition}, journal = {Angewandte Chemie International Edition}, doi = {10.1002/anie.202116783}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-254565}, pages = {e202116783}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Exciton coupling between two or more chromophores in a specific environment is a key mechanism associated with color tuning and modulation of absorption energies. This concept is well exemplified by natural photosynthetic proteins, and can also be achieved in synthetic nucleic acid nanostructures. Here we report the coupling of barbituric acid merocyanine (BAM) nucleoside analogues and show that exciton coupling can be tuned by the double helix conformation. BAM is a nucleobase mimic that was incorporated in the phosphodiester backbone of RNA, DNA and GNA oligonucleotides. Duplexes with different backbone constitutions and geometries afforded different mutual dye arrangements, leading to distinct optical signatures due to competing modes of chromophore organization via electrostatic, dipolar, - stacking and hydrogen-bonding interactions. The realized supramolecular motifs include hydrogenbonded BAM-adenine base pairs and antiparallel as well as rotationally stacked BAM dimer aggregates with distinct absorption, CD and fluorescence properties.}, language = {en} } @article{LiaqatSednevStilleretal.2021, author = {Liaqat, Anam and Sednev, Maksim V. and Stiller, Carina and H{\"o}bartner, Claudia}, title = {RNA-Cleaving Deoxyribozymes Differentiate Methylated Cytidine Isomers in RNA}, series = {Angewandte Chemie International Edition}, volume = {60}, journal = {Angewandte Chemie International Edition}, number = {35}, doi = {10.1002/anie.202106517}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-254544}, pages = {19058-19062}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Deoxyribozymes are emerging as modification-specific endonucleases for the analysis of epigenetic RNA modifications. Here, we report RNA-cleaving deoxyribozymes that differentially respond to the presence of natural methylated cytidines, 3-methylcytidine (m\(^3\)C), N\(^4\)-methylcytidine (m\(^4\)C), and 5-methylcytidine (m\(^5\)C), respectively. Using in vitro selection, we found several DNA catalysts, which are selectively activated by only one of the three cytidine isomers, and display 10- to 30-fold accelerated cleavage of their target m\(^3\)C-, m\(^4\)C- or m\(^5\)C-modified RNA. An additional deoxyribozyme is strongly inhibited by any of the three methylcytidines, but effectively cleaves unmodified RNA. The m\(^X\)C-detecting deoxyribozymes are programmable for the interrogation of natural RNAs of interest, as demonstrated for human mitochondrial tRNAs containing known m\(^3\)C and m\(^5\)C sites. The results underline the potential of synthetic functional DNA to shape highly selective active sites.}, language = {en} } @article{MieczkowskiSteinmetzgerBessietal.2021, author = {Mieczkowski, Mateusz and Steinmetzger, Christian and Bessi, Irene and Lenz, Ann-Kathrin and Schmiedel, Alexander and Holzapfel, Marco and Lambert, Christoph and Pena, Vladimir and H{\"o}bartner, Claudia}, title = {Large Stokes shift fluorescence activation in an RNA aptamer by intermolecular proton transfer to guanine}, series = {Nature Communications}, volume = {12}, journal = {Nature Communications}, doi = {10.1038/s41467-021-23932-0}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-254527}, pages = {3549}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Fluorogenic RNA aptamers are synthetic functional RNAs that specifically bind and activate conditional fluorophores. The Chili RNA aptamer mimics large Stokes shift fluorescent proteins and exhibits high affinity for 3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxybenzylidene imidazolone (DMHBI) derivatives to elicit green or red fluorescence emission. Here, we elucidate the structural and mechanistic basis of fluorescence activation by crystallography and time-resolved optical spectroscopy. Two co-crystal structures of the Chili RNA with positively charged DMHBO+ and DMHBI+ ligands revealed a G-quadruplex and a trans-sugar-sugar edge G:G base pair that immobilize the ligand by π-π stacking. A Watson-Crick G:C base pair in the fluorophore binding site establishes a short hydrogen bond between the N7 of guanine and the phenolic OH of the ligand. Ultrafast excited state proton transfer (ESPT) from the neutral chromophore to the RNA was found with a time constant of 130 fs and revealed the mode of action of the large Stokes shift fluorogenic RNA aptamer.}, language = {en} } @article{GriesbeckMichailRauchetal.2019, author = {Griesbeck, Stefanie and Michail, Evripidis and Rauch, Florian and Ogasawara, Hiroaki and Wang, Chenguang and Sato, Yoshikatsu and Edkins, Robert M. and Zhang, Zuolun and Taki, Masayasu and Lambert, Christoph and Yamaguchi, Shigehiro and Marder, Todd B.}, title = {The Effect of Branching on the One- and Two-Photon Absorption, Cell Viability, and Localization of Cationic Triarylborane Chromophores with Dipolar versus Octupolar Charge Distributions for Cellular Imaging}, series = {Chemistry - A European Journal}, volume = {25}, journal = {Chemistry - A European Journal}, number = {57}, doi = {10.1002/chem.201902461}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-212887}, pages = {13164 -- 13175}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Two different chromophores, namely a dipolar and an octupolar system, were prepared and their linear and nonlinear optical properties as well as their bioimaging capabilities were compared. Both contain triphenylamine as the donor and a triarylborane as the acceptor, the latter modified with cationic trimethylammonio groups to provide solubility in aqueous media. The octupolar system exhibits a much higher two-photon brightness, and also better cell viability and enhanced selectivity for lysosomes compared with the dipolar chromophore. Furthermore, both dyes were applied in two-photon excited fluorescence (TPEF) live-cell imaging.}, language = {en} } @article{WehRueheHerbertetal.2021, author = {Weh, Manuel and R{\"u}he, Jessica and Herbert, Benedikt and Krause, Ana-Maria and W{\"u}rthner, Frank}, title = {Deracemization of Carbohelicenes by a Chiral Perylene Bisimide Cyclophane Template Catalyst}, series = {Angewandte Chemie International Edition}, volume = {60}, journal = {Angewandte Chemie International Edition}, number = {28}, doi = {10.1002/anie.202104591}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-244787}, pages = {15323 -- 15327}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Deracemization describes the conversion of a racemic mixture of a chiral molecule into an enantioenriched mixture or an enantiopure compound without structural modifications. Herein, we report an inherently chiral perylene bisimide (PBI) cyclophane whose chiral pocket is capable of transforming a racemic mixture of [5]-helicene into an enantioenriched mixture with an enantiomeric excess of 66 \%. UV/Vis and fluorescence titration studies reveal this cyclophane host composed of two helically twisted PBI dyes has high binding affinities for the respective homochiral carbohelicene guests, with outstanding binding constants of up to 3.9×10\(^{10}\) m\(^{-1}\) for [4]-helicene. 2D NMR studies and single-crystal X-ray analysis demonstrate that the observed strong and enantioselective binding of homochiral carbohelicenes and the successful template-catalyzed deracemization of [5]-helicene can be explained by the enzyme-like perfect shape complementarity of the macrocyclic supramolecular host.}, language = {en} } @article{SchembriKimLiessetal.2021, author = {Schembri, Tim and Kim, Jin Hong and Liess, Andreas and Stepanenko, Vladimir and Stolte, Matthias and W{\"u}rthner, Frank}, title = {Semitransparent Layers of Social Self-Sorting Merocyanine Dyes for Ultranarrow Bandwidth Organic Photodiodes}, series = {Advanced Optical Materials}, volume = {9}, journal = {Advanced Optical Materials}, number = {15}, doi = {10.1002/adom.202100213}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-244762}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Two dipolar merocyanines consisting of the same π-conjugated chromophore but different alkyl substituents adopt very different packing arrangements in their respective solid state with either H- or J-type exciton coupling, leading to ultranarrow absorption bands at 477 and 750 nm, respectively, due to exchange narrowing. The social self-sorting behavior of these push-pull chromophores in their mixed thin films is evaluated and the impact on morphology as well as opto-electronical properties is determined. The implementation of this well-tuned two-component material with tailored optical features allows to optimize planar heterojunction organic photodiodes with fullerene ​(C\(_{60}\)) with either dual or single wavelength selectivity in the blue and NIR spectral range with ultranarrow bandwidths of only 11 nm (200 cm\(^{-1}\)) and an external quantum efficiency of up to 18\% at 754 nm under 0 V bias. The application of these photodiodes as low-power consuming heart rate monitors is demonstrated by a reflectance-mode photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor.}, language = {en} } @article{SchroerToussaintBachmannetal.2021, author = {Schroer, Guido and Toussaint, Val{\´e}rie and Bachmann, Stephanie and P{\"o}ppler, Ann-Christin and Gierlich, Christian Henning and Delidovich, Irina}, title = {Functional Phenylboronate Polymers for the Recovery of Diols, Sugar Alcohols, and Saccharides from Aqueous Solution}, series = {ChemSusChem}, volume = {14}, journal = {ChemSusChem}, number = {23}, doi = {10.1002/cssc.202002887}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-239889}, pages = {5207 -- 5215}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The ongoing transition from fossil to renewable feedstocks demands new efficient processes for an economically viable production of biomass-derived commodities and fine chemicals. Novel energy- and material-efficient product purification and separation will play a crucial role due to altered product and feed composition. The present study comprises the synthesis and tests of cross-linked p-vinylphenylboronate polymers for the separation of 18 diols, sugar alcohols, and saccharides, which can be obtained during biomass processing. The separation was based on molecular recognition, that is, esterification of the phenylboronate with vicinal diols. A correlation of the molecular complexation constant, the polymer swelling, and the maximum adsorption capacity was found. The adsorption curves over time were recorded. Preliminary results on competitive adsorption of binary mixtures showed a high potential for the separation of substrates with significantly different complexation constants. Desorption tests implied easier desorption of substrates that only adsorb on the outer polymer shell.}, language = {en} } @article{MuellerBessiRichteretal.2021, author = {M{\"u}ller, Diana and Bessi, Irene and Richter, Christian and Schwalbe, Harald}, title = {The Folding Landscapes of Human Telomeric RNA and DNA G-Quadruplexes are Markedly Different}, series = {Angewandte Chemie International Edition}, volume = {60}, journal = {Angewandte Chemie International Edition}, number = {19}, doi = {10.1002/anie.202100280}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-238917}, pages = {10895 -- 10901}, year = {2021}, abstract = {We investigated the folding kinetics of G-quadruplex (G4) structures by comparing the K\(^{+}\)-induced folding of an RNA G4 derived from the human telomeric repeat-containing RNA (TERRA25) with a sequence homologous DNA G4 (wtTel25) using CD spectroscopy and real-time NMR spectroscopy. While DNA G4 folding is biphasic, reveals kinetic partitioning and involves kinetically favoured off-pathway intermediates, RNA G4 folding is faster and monophasic. The differences in kinetics are correlated to the differences in the folded conformations of RNA vs. DNA G4s, in particular with regard to the conformation around the glycosidic torsion angle χ that uniformly adopts anti conformations for RNA G4s and both, syn and anti conformation for DNA G4s. Modified DNA G4s with \(^{19}\)F bound to C2′ in arabino configuration adopt exclusively anti conformations for χ. These fluoro-modified DNA (antiTel25) reveal faster folding kinetics and monomorphic conformations similar to RNA G4s, suggesting the correlation between folding kinetics and pathways with differences in χ angle preferences in DNA and RNA, respectively.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Shamburger2021, author = {Shamburger, William}, title = {Total Synthesis of Mono- and Dimeric Naphthylisoquinoline Alkaloids and Related Analogs}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-25061}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-250612}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Our research group focusses on the isolation, structural elucidation, and synthesis of bioactive natural products, among others, the naphthylisoquinoline alkaloids from tropical lianas. This intriguing class of compounds comprises representatives with activities against, e.g. P. falciparum, the cause of Malaria tropica, against the neglected disease leishmaniasis, and, as discovered more recently, against different types of cancer cells. Based on the high potency of theses extraordinary secondary metabolites, this thesis was devoted to the total synthesis of bioactive natural products and closely related analogs.}, subject = {Naphthylisochinolinalkaloide}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Hecht2021, author = {Hecht, Markus}, title = {Liquid-Crystalline Perylene Bisimide and Diketopyrrolopyrrole Assemblies}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-21698}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-216987}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The research presented in this thesis illustrates that self-assembly of organic molecules guided by intermolecular forces is a versatile bottom-up approach towards functional materials. Through the specific design of the monomers, supramolecular architectures with distinct spatial arrangement of the individual building blocks can be realized. Particularly intriguing materials can be achieved when applying the supramolecular approach to molecules forming liquid-crystalline phases as these arrange in ordered, yet mobile structures. Therefore, they exhibit anisotropic properties on a macroscopic level. It is pivotal to precisely control the interchromophoric arrangement as functions originate in the complex structures that are formed upon self-assembly. Consequently, the aim of this thesis was the synthesis and characterization of liquid-crystalline phases with defined supramolecular arrangements as well as the investigation of the structure-property relationship. For this purpose, perylene bisimide and diketopyrrolopyrrole chromophores were used as they constitute ideal building blocks towards functional supramolecular materials due to their thermal stability, lightfastness, as well as excellent optical and electronic features desirable for the application in, e.g., organic electronics.}, subject = {Selbstorganisation}, language = {en} } @article{RennerMahlmeisterAnhaltetal.2021, author = {Renner, Rebecca and Mahlmeister, Bernhard and Anhalt, Olga and Stolte, Matthias and W{\"u}rthner, Frank}, title = {Chiral Perylene Bisimide Dyes by Interlocked Arene Substituents in the Bay Area}, series = {Chemistry - A European Journal}, volume = {27}, journal = {Chemistry - A European Journal}, number = {46}, doi = {10.1002/chem.202101877}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-249070}, pages = {11997 -- 12006}, year = {2021}, abstract = {A series of perylene bisimide (PBI) dyes bearing various aryl substituents in 1,6,7,12 bay positions has been synthesized by Suzuki cross-coupling reaction. These molecules exhibit an exceptionally large and conformationally fixed twist angle of the PBI π-core due to the high steric congestion imparted by the aryl substituents in bay positions. Single crystal X-ray analyses of phenyl-, naphthyl- and pyrenyl-functionalized PBIs reveal interlocked π-π-stacking motifs, leading to conformational chirality and the possibility for the isolation of enantiopure atropoisomers by semipreparative HPLC. The interlocked arrangement endows these molecules with substantial racemization barriers of about 120 kJ mol\(^{-1}\) for the tetraphenyl- and tetra-2-naphthyl-substituted derivatives, which is among the highest racemization barriers for axially chiral PBIs. Variable temperature NMR studies reveal the presence of a multitude of up to fourteen conformational isomers in solution that are interconverted via smaller activation barriers of about 65 kJ mol\(^{-1}\). The redox and optical properties of these core-twisted PBIs have been characterized by cyclic voltammetry, UV/Vis/NIR and fluorescence spectroscopy and their respective atropo-enantiomers were further characterized by circular dichroism (CD) and circular polarized luminescence (CPL) spectroscopy.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Siewert2021, author = {Siewert, Aaron}, title = {Nucleotide analogs as rigid spin labels for DNA and RNA}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-24765}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-247657}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Nucleic acids are one of the important classes of biomolecules together with carbohydrates, proteins and lipids. Both deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA) are most well known for their respective roles in the storage and expression of genetic information. Over the course of the last decades, nucleic acids with a variety of other functions have been discovered in biological organisms or created artificially. Examples of these functional nucleic acids are riboswitches, aptamers and ribozymes. In order to gain information regarding their function, several analytical methods can be used. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy is one of several techniques which can be used to study nucleic acid structure and dynamics. However, EPR spectroscopy requires unpaired electrons and because nucleic acids themselves are not paramagnetic, the incorporation of spin labels which carry a radical is necessary. Here, three new spin labels for the analysis of nucleic acids by EPR spectroscopy are presented. All of them share two important design features. First, the paramagnetic center is located at a nitroxide, flanked by ethyl groups to prevent nitroxide degradation, for example during solid phase synthesis. Furthermore, they were designed with rigidity as an important quality, in order to be useful for applications like pulsed electron double resonance (PELDOR) spectroscopy, where independent motion of the spin labels relative to the macromolecule has a noticeable negative effect on the precision of the measurements. Benzi-spin is a spin label which differs from most previous examples of rigid spin labels in that rather than being based on a canonical nucleoside, with a specific base pairing partner, it is supposed to be a universal nucleoside which is sufficiently rigid for EPR measurements when placed opposite to a number of different nucleosides. Benzi-spin was successfully incorporated into a 20 nt oligonucleotide and its base pairing behavior with seven different nucleosides was examined by UV/VIS thermal denaturation and continuous wave (CW) EPR experiments. The results show only minor differences between the different nucleosides, thus confirming the ability of benzi-spin to act as a universally applicable spin label. Lumi-spin is derived from lumichrome. It features a rigid scaffold, as well as a free 2'-hydroxy group, which should make it well suited for PELDOR experiments once it is incorporated into RNA oligonucleotides. E{\c{C}}r is based on the {\c{C}} family of spin labels, which contains the most well known rigid spin labels for nucleic acids to this day. It is essentially a version of E{\c{C}}m with a free 2'-hydroxy group. It was converted to triphosphate E{\c{C}}rTP and used for primer extension experiments to test the viability of enzymatic incorporation of rigid spin labels into oligonucleotides as an alternative to solid-phase synthesis. Incorporation into DNA by Therminator III DNA polymerase in both single-nucleotide and full-length primer extensions was achieved. All three of these spin labels represent further additions to the expanding toolbox of EPR spectroscopy on nucleic acids and might prove valuable for future research.}, subject = {Nucleins{\"a}uren}, language = {en} } @article{HechtLeowanawatGerlachetal.2020, author = {Hecht, Markus and Leowanawat, Pawaret and Gerlach, Tabea and Stepanenko, Vladimir and Stolte, Matthias and Lehmann, Matthias and W{\"u}rthner, Frank}, title = {Self-Sorting Supramolecular Polymerization: Helical and Lamellar Aggregates of Tetra-Bay-Acyloxy Perylene Bisimide}, series = {Angewandte Chemie International Edition}, volume = {59}, journal = {Angewandte Chemie International Edition}, number = {39}, doi = {10.1002/anie.202006744}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-224586}, pages = {17084 -- 17090}, year = {2020}, abstract = {A new perylene bisimide (PBI), with a fluorescence quantum yield up to unity, self-assembles into two polymorphic supramolecular polymers. This PBI bears four solubilizing acyloxy substituents at the bay positions and is unsubstituted at the imide position, thereby allowing hydrogen-bond-directed self-assembly in nonpolar solvents. The formation of the polymorphs is controlled by the cooling rate of hot monomer solutions. They show distinctive absorption profiles and morphologies and can be isolated in different polymorphic liquid-crystalline states. The interchromophoric arrangement causing the spectral features was elucidated, revealing the formation of columnar and lamellar phases, which are formed by either homo- or heterochiral self-assembly, respectively, of the atropoenantiomeric PBIs. Kinetic studies reveal a narcissistic self-sorting process upon fast cooling, and that the transformation into the heterochiral (racemic) sheetlike self-assemblies proceeds by dissociation via the monomeric state.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Renner2021, author = {Renner, Rebecca}, title = {Aggregation, Chirality and Reduction of Nonplanar Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-24700}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-247000}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Within this thesis the interactions between novel corannulene derivatives in solution as well as in the solid state by changing the imide residue of a literature known extended corannulene dicarboximide were investigated, in order to obtain a better understanding of the packing and possible charge transport in potential applications. Accordingly, the goal of the work was to synthesize and investigate an electron-poor corannulene bis(dicarboximide) based on previously published work but with higher solubility and less steric encumbrance in imide position to enable self-assembly in solution. To obtain further insights into the conformational stability, structure and chiroptical properties of heavily twisted PBIs another aim of this thesis was the design, synthesis, and optoelectronic investigation of various fourfold directly arylated PBIs by substitution in bay position with smaller hydrocarbons with different steric demand, i.e., benzene, naphthalene and pyrene, which should be separable by chiral high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). As of yet, no concise study concerning the optical and electronic properties of differently core-substituted PBIs in the neutral as well as the mono- and dianionic state in solution is available, which also elucidates the origin of the different optical transitions observed in the absorption and emission spectra. Thus, in this thesis, the investigation of five PBI derivatives with different frontier energetic levels to produce a reference work of reduced PBIs was tackled.}, subject = {Corannulene}, language = {en} } @article{Ravat2021, author = {Ravat, Prince}, title = {Carbo[n]helicenes Restricted to Enantiomerize: An Insight into the Design Process of Configurationally Stable Functional Chiral PAHs}, series = {Chemistry - A European Journal}, volume = {27}, journal = {Chemistry - A European Journal}, number = {12}, doi = {10.1002/chem.202004488}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-225871}, pages = {3957 -- 3967}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The most important stereodynamic feature of carbo[n]helicenes is the interconversion of their enantiomers. The Gibbs activation energy (ΔG≠(T)) of this process, which determines the rate of enantiomerization, dictates the configurational stability of [n]helicenes. High values of ΔG≠(T) are required for applications of functional chiral molecules incorporating [n]helicenes or helicene substructures. This minireview provides an overview of the mechanism, recent developments, and factors affecting the enantiomerization of [n]helicenes, which will accelerate the design process of configurationally stable functional chiral molecules based on helicene substructures. Additionally, this minireview addresses the misconception and irregularities in the recent literature on how the terms "racemization" and "enantiomerization" are used as well as how the activation parameters are calculated for [n]helicenes and related compounds.}, language = {en} } @article{LehmannDechantWehetal.2020, author = {Lehmann, Matthias and Dechant, Moritz and Weh, Dominik and Freytag, Emely}, title = {Metal Phthalocyanine-Fullerene Dyads: Promising Lamellar Columnar Donor-Acceptor Liquid Crystal Phases}, series = {ChemPlusChem}, volume = {85}, journal = {ChemPlusChem}, number = {8}, doi = {10.1002/cplu.202000540}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-218531}, pages = {1934 -- 1938}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Liquid crystal (LC) shape-amphiphiles with a disc tethered to a fullerene have been intensely studied for the application in photovoltaics, and helical nanosegregation of C\(_{60}\) has been claimed around the π-stacking disks based on X-ray results. The most promising materials reported to date have been resynthesized and studied comprehensively by XRS, density measurements, modelling, and electron density reconstruction. In contrast to previous reports, the results indicate that metal phthalocyanine-fullerene mesogens pack in lamellar columnar phases with p2gm symmetry. Fullerenes assemble in layers and are flanked by phthalocyanine columns, thus explaining the balanced charge carrier mobility of electrons and holes. Such variable donor-acceptor structures are promising for organic electronic applications.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{PeethambaranNairSyamala2021, author = {Peethambaran Nair Syamala, Pradeep}, title = {Bolaamphiphilic Rylene Bisimides: Thermodynamics of Self-assembly and Stimuli-responsive Properties in Water}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-21342}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-213424}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The present thesis demonstrates how different thermodynamic aspects of self-assembly and stimuli-responsive properties in water can be encoded on the structure of π-amphiphiles, consisting of perylene or naphthalene bisimide cores. Initially, quantitative thermodynamic insights into the entropically-driven self-assembly was studied for a series of naphthalene bisimides with UV/Vis and ITC measurements, which demonstrated that their thermodynamic profile of aggregation is heavily influenced by the OEG side chains. Subsequently, a control over the bifurcated thermal response of entropically driven and commonly observed enthalpically driven self-assembly was achieved by the modulation of glycol chain orientation. Finally, Lower Critical Solution Temperature (LCST) phenomenon observed for these dyes was investigated as a precise control of this behavior is quintessential for self-assembly studies as well as to generate 'smart' materials. It could be shown that the onset of phase separation for these molecules can be encoded in their imide substituents, and they are primarily determined by the supramolecular packing, rather than the hydrophobicity of individual monomers.}, subject = {Supramolekulare Chemie}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Wehner2021, author = {Wehner, Marius}, title = {Supramolecular Polymorphism in Homo- and Heterochiral Supramolecular Polymerizations}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-21151}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-211519}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The aim of the first part of this thesis was to investigate (R,R)-PBI as a model system for polymorphism at its origin by a supramolecular approach. The pathway complexity of (R,R)-PBI was fine-tuned by experimental parameters such as solvent, temperature and concentration to make several supramolecular polymorphs accessible. Mechanistic and quantum chemical studies on the kinetics and thermodynamics of the supramolecular polymerization of (R,R)-PBI were conducted to shed light on the initial stages of polymorphism. The second part of this work deals with mechanistic investigations on the supramolecular polymerization of the racemic mixture of (R,R)- and (S,S)-PBI with regard to homochiral and heterochiral aggregation leading to conglomerates and a racemic supramolecular polymer, respectively.}, subject = {Supramolekulare Chemie}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Shen2021, author = {Shen, Chia-An}, title = {Dicyanomethylene Squaraines: Aggregation and G-Quadruplex Complexation}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-24359}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-243599}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Squaraine dyes have attracted more attention in the past decade due to their strong and narrow absorption and fluorescence along with the easily functionalized molecular structure. One successful approach of core functionalization is to replace one oxygen of the squaric carbonyl group with a dicyanomethylene group, which shifts the absorption and emission into the near infrared (NIR) region and at the same time leads to a rigid, planar structure with C2v symmetry. However, such squaraines tend to aggregate cofacially in solution due to dispersion forces and dipole-dipole interactions, usually leading to H-type exciton coupling with undesired blue-shifted spectrum and quenched fluorescence. Therefore, the goal of my research was the design of dicyanomethylene-substituted squaraine dyes that self-assemble into extended aggregates in solution with J-type coupling, in order to retain or even enhance their outstanding optical properties. Toward this goal, bis(squaraine) dyes were envisioned with two squaraine units covalently linked to trigger a slip-stacked packing motif within the aggregates to enable J-type coupling. In my first project, bis(squaraine) dye BisSQ1 was synthesized, in which two dicyanomethylene squaraine chromophores are covalently linked. Concentration and temperature-dependent UV/Vis/NIR spectroscopy experiments reveal that BisSQ1 undergoes cooperative self-assembly resulting in J-type aggregates in a solvent mixture of toluene/1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane (TCE) (98:2, v/v). The J type exciton coupling is evident from the significantly red shifted absorption maximum at 886 nm and the fluorescence peak at 904 nm. In conclusion, this was a first example to direct squaraine dye aggregation in solution to the more desired slip-stacked packing leading to J-type exciton coupling by simply connecting two dyes in a head-to-tail bis chromophore structure. Connecting two squaraine dyes with an additional phenylene spacer (BisSQ2) leads to two different polymorphs with very distinct absorption spectra upon cooling down a solution of BisSQ2 in a solvent mixture of toluene/TCE (98:2, v/v) with different rates. Accordingly, rapid cooling resulted in rigid helical nanorods with an absorption spectrum showing a panchromatic feature, while slow cooling led to a sheet-like structure with a significant bathochromic shift in the absorption spectrum. It was discovered that the conventional molecular exciton model failed to explain the panchromatic absorption features of the nanorods for the given packing arrangement, therefore more profound theoretical investigations based on the Essential States Model (ESM) were applied to unveil the importance of intermolecular charge transfer (ICT) to adequately describe the panchromatic absorption spectrum. Moreover, the red-shift observed in the spectrum for the sheet-like structure can be assigned to the interplay of Coulomb coupling and ICT-mediated coupling. Furthermore, the same bis-chromophore strategy was adopted for constructing an NIR-II emitter with a bathochromically-shifted spectrum. In chloroform, BisSQ3 exhibits an absorption maximum at 961 nm with a significant bathochromic shift (1020 cm-1) compared to the reference mono-squaraine SQ, indicating intramolecular J-type coupling via head-to-tail arrangement of two squaraine dyes. Moreover, BisSQ3 shows a fluorescence peak at 971 nm with a decent quantum yield of 0.33\%. In less polar toluene, BisSQ3 self-assembles into nanofibers with additional intermolecular J-type coupling, causing a pronounced bathochromic shift with absorption maximum at 1095 nm and a fluorescence peak at 1116 nm. Thus, connecting two quinoline-based squaraines in a head-to-tail fashion leads to not only intra-, but also intermolecular J-type exciton coupling, which serves as a promising strategy to shift the absorption and emission of organic fluorophores into the NIR-II window while retaining decent quantum yields. In conclusion, my research illustrates based on squaraine dyes how a simple modification of the molecular structure can significantly affect the aggregation behavior and further alter the optical properties of dye aggregates. Elongated supramolecular structures based on dicyanomethylene substituted squaraine dyes were successfully established by covalently linking two squaraine units to form a bis-chromophore structure. Then, a simple but efficient general approach was established to direct squaraine dye aggregation in solution to the more desired slip-stacked packing leading to J-type exciton coupling by directly connecting two squaraine dyes in a head-to-tail fashion without spacer units. Moreover, the additional spacer between the squaraine dyes in BisSQ2 allowed different molecular conformations, which leads to two different morphologies depending on the cooling rates for a hot solution. Hence, this is a promising strategy to realize supramolecular polymorphism. In general, it is expected that the concept of constructing J-aggregates by the bis-chromophore approach can be extended to entirely different classes of dyes since J-aggregates possess a variety of features such as spectral shifts into the NIR window, fluorescence enhancement, and light harvesting, which are commonly observed and utilized for numerous fundamental studies and applications. Moreover, the insights on short-range charge transfer coupling for squaraine dyes is considered of relevance for all materials based on alternating donor-acceptor π-systems. The panchromatic spectral feature is in particular crucial for acceptor-donor-acceptor (ADA) dyes, which are currently considered as very promising materials for the development of bulk heterojunction solar cells.}, subject = {Squaraine}, language = {en} } @article{MahlShoyamaKrauseetal.2020, author = {Mahl, Magnus and Shoyama, Kazutaka and Krause, Ana-Maria and Schmidt, David and W{\"u}rthner, Frank}, title = {Base-Assisted Imidization: A Synthetic Method for the Introduction of Bulky Imide Substituents to Control Packing and Optical Properties of Naphthalene and Perylene Imides}, series = {Angewandte Chemie International Edition}, volume = {59}, journal = {Angewandte Chemie International Edition}, number = {32}, doi = {10.1002/anie.202004965}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-218246}, pages = {13401 -- 13405}, year = {2020}, abstract = {We report the direct imidization of naphthalene and perylene dicarboxylic anhydrides/esters with bulky ortho,ortho-diaryl- and ortho,ortho-dialkynylaniline derivatives. This imidization method uses n-butyllithium as a strong base to increase the reactivity of bulky amine derivatives, proceeds under mild reaction conditions, requires only stoichiometric amounts of reactants and gives straightforward access to new sterically crowded rylene dicarboximides. Mechanistic investigations suggest an isoimide as intermediary product, which was converted to the corresponding imide upon addition of an aqueous base. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses reveal dimeric packing motifs for monoimides, while two-side shielded bisimides crystallize in isolated molecules without close π-π-interactions. Spectroscopic investigations disclose the influence of the bulky substituents on the optical properties in the solid state.}, language = {en} } @article{StolteHechtXieetal.2020, author = {Stolte, Matthias and Hecht, Reinhard and Xie, Zengqi and Liu, Linlin and Kaufmann, Christina and Kudzus, Astrid and Schmidt, David and W{\"u}rthner, Frank}, title = {Crystal Engineering of 1D Exciton Systems Composed of Single- and Double-Stranded Perylene Bisimide J-Aggregates}, series = {Advanced Optical Materials}, volume = {8}, journal = {Advanced Optical Materials}, number = {18}, doi = {10.1002/adom.202000926}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-218221}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Single crystals of three at bay area tetraphenoxy-substituted perylene bisimide dyes are grown by vacuum sublimation. X-ray analysis reveals the self-assembly of these highly twisted perylene bisimides (PBIs) in the solid state via imide-imide hydrogen bonding into hydrogen-bonded PBI chains. The crystallographic insights disclose that the conformation and sterical congestion imparted by the phenoxy substituents can be controlled by ortho-substituents. Accordingly, whilst sterically less demanding methyl and isopropyl substituents afford double-stranded PBI chains of complementary P and M atropo-enantiomers, single hydrogen-bonded chains of homochiral PBIs are observed for the sterically more demanding ortho-phenyl substituents. Investigation of the absorption and fluorescence properties of microcrystals and thin films of these PBIs allow for an unambiguous interpretation of these exciton systems. Thus, the J-aggregates of the double-stranded crystals exhibit a much larger (negative) exciton coupling than the single-stranded one, which in contrast has the higher solid-state fluorescence quantum yield.}, language = {en} } @article{SyamalaWuerthner2020, author = {Syamala, Pradeep P. N. and W{\"u}rthner, Frank}, title = {Modulation of the Self-Assembly of π-Amphiphiles in Water from Enthalpy- to Entropy-Driven by Enwrapping Substituents}, series = {Chemistry - A European Journal}, volume = {26}, journal = {Chemistry - A European Journal}, number = {38}, doi = {10.1002/chem.202000995}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-218107}, pages = {8426 -- 8434}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Depending on the connectivity of solubilizing oligoethylene glycol (OEG) side chains to the π-cores of amphiphilic naphthalene and perylene bisimide dyes, self-assembly in water occurs either upon heating or cooling. Herein, we show that this effect originates from differences in the enwrapping capability of the π-cores by the OEG chains. Rylene bisimides bearing phenyl substituents with three OEG chains attached directly to the hydrophobic π-cores are strongly sequestered by the OEG chains. These molecules self-assemble at elevated temperatures in an entropy-driven process according to temperature- and concentration-dependent UV/Vis spectroscopy and calorimetric dilution studies. In contrast, for rylene bisimides in which phenyl substituents with three OEG chains are attached via a methylene spacer, leading to much weaker sequestration, self-assembly originates upon cooling in an enthalpy-driven process. Our explanation for this controversial behavior is that the aggregation in the latter case is dictated by the release of "high energy water" from the hydrophobic π-surfaces as well as dispersion interactions between the π-scaffolds which drive the self-assembly in an enthalpically driven process. In contrast, for the former case we suggest that in addition to the conventional explanation of a dehydration of hydrogen-bonded water molecules from OEG units it is in particular the increase in conformational entropy of back-folded OEG side chains upon aggregation that provides the pronounced gain in entropy that drives the aggregation process. Thus, our studies revealed that a subtle change in the attachment of solubilizing substituents can switch the thermodynamic signature for the self-assembly of amphiphilic dyes in water from enthalpy- to entropy-driven.}, language = {en} } @article{LambovHensiekPoeppleretal.2020, author = {Lambov, Martin and Hensiek, Nicola and P{\"o}ppler, Ann-Christin and Lehmann, Matthias}, title = {Columnar Liquid Crystals from Star-Shaped Conjugated Mesogens as Nano-Reservoirs for Small Acceptors}, series = {ChemPlusChem}, volume = {85}, journal = {ChemPlusChem}, number = {10}, doi = {10.1002/cplu.202000341}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-218014}, pages = {2219 -- 2229}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Shape-persistent conjugated mesogens with oligothiophene arms of different lengths have been synthesized. Such mesogens possess free intrinsic space between their conjugated arms. They form columnar liquid-crystalline phases, in which the void is filled by dense helical packing in the neat phase similar to an oligo(phenylene vinylene) derivative of equal size. The void can also be compensated by the inclusion of the small acceptor molecule 2,4,7-trinitrofluorenone. In solution, the acceptor interacts with the core as the largest π-surface, while in the solid material, it is incorporated between the arms and sandwiched by the star-shaped neighbours along the columnar assemblies. The TNF acceptors are not nanosegregated from the star-shaped donors, thus the liquid crystal structure converts to a nano-reservoir for TNF (endo-receptor). These host-guest arrangements are confirmed by comprehensive X-ray scattering experiments and solid-state NMR spectroscopy. This results in ordered columnar hexagonal phases at high temperatures, which change to helical columnar mesophases or to columnar soft crystals at room temperature.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Michail2021, author = {Michail, Evripidis}, title = {Design and Development of a Two-Photon Absorption Induced Fluorescence Spectrometer and the Investigation of Nonlinear Optical Properties of Organic Chromophores}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-24218}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-242185}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Main objectives of the present dissertation can be divided in two parts. The first part deals with setting up a spectroscopic technique for reliable and accurate measurements of the two-photon absorption (2PA) cross section spectra. In the second part, this firmly established experimental technique together with conventional spectroscopic characterization, quantum-chemical computations and theoretical modelling calculations was combined and therefore used as a tool to gain information for the so-called structure-property relationship through several molecular compounds.}, subject = {Nonlinear Optical Properties of Organic Materials}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{MezaChincha2021, author = {Meza Chincha, Ana Lucia}, title = {Catalytic Water Oxidation with Functionalized Ruthenium Macrocycles}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-20962}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-209620}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2021}, abstract = {In light of the rapidly increasing global demand of energy and the negative effects of climate change, innovative solutions that allow an efficient transition to a carbon-neutral economy are urgently needed. In this context, artificial photosynthesis is emerging as a promising technology to enable the storage of the fluctuating energy of sunlight in chemical bonds of transportable "solar fuels". Thus, in recent years much efforts have been devoted to the development of robust water oxidation catalysts (WOCs) leading to the discovery of the highly reactive Ru(bda) (bda: 2,2'-bipyridine-6,6'-dicarboxylic acid) catalyst family. The aim of this thesis was the study of chemical and photocatalytic water oxidation with functionalized Ruthenium macrocycles to explore the impact of substituents on molecular properties and catalytic activities of trinuclear macrocyclic Ru(bda) catalysts. A further objective of this thesis comprises the elucidation of factors that influence the light-driven water oxidation process with this novel class of supramolecular WOCs.}, subject = {Rutheniumkomplexe}, language = {en} } @article{MerzDietrichNitschetal.2020, author = {Merz, Julia and Dietrich, Lena and Nitsch, J{\"o}rn and Krummenacher, Ivo and Braunschweig, Holger and Moos, Michael and Mims, David and Lambert, Christoph and Marder, Todd B.}, title = {Synthesis, Photophysical and Electronic Properties of Mono-, Di-, and Tri-Amino-Substituted Ortho-Perylenes, and Comparison to the Tetra-Substituted Derivative}, series = {Chemistry - A European Journal}, volume = {26}, journal = {Chemistry - A European Journal}, number = {52}, doi = {10.1002/chem.202001475}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-217835}, pages = {12050 -- 12059}, year = {2020}, abstract = {We synthesized a series of new mono-, di-, tri- and tetra-substituted perylene derivatives with strong bis(para-methoxyphenyl)amine (DPA) donors at the uncommon 2,5,8,11-positions. The properties of our new donor-substituted perylenes were studied in detail to establish a structure-property relationship. Interesting trends and unusual properties are observed for this series of new perylene derivatives, such as a decreasing charge transfer (CT) character with increasing number of DPA moieties and individual reversible oxidations for each DPA moiety. Thus, (DPA)-Per possesses one reversible oxidation while (DPA)\(_{4}\)-Per has four. The mono- and di-substituted derivatives display unusually large Stokes shifts not previously reported for perylenes. Furthermore, transient absorption measurements of the new derivatives reveal an excited state with lifetimes of several hundred microseconds, which sensitizes singlet oxygen with quantum yields of up to 0.83.}, language = {en} } @article{HofmannFayezScheineretal.2020, author = {Hofmann, Julian and Fayez, Shaimaa and Scheiner, Matthias and Hoffmann, Matthias and Oerter, Sabrina and Appelt-Menzel, Antje and Maher, Pamela and Maurice, Tangui and Bringmann, Gerhard and Decker, Michael}, title = {Sterubin: Enantioresolution and Configurational Stability, Enantiomeric Purity in Nature, and Neuroprotective Activity in Vitro and in Vivo}, series = {Chemistry - A European Journal}, volume = {26}, journal = {Chemistry - A European Journal}, number = {32}, doi = {10.1002/chem.202001264}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-215993}, pages = {7299 -- 7308}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Alzheimer′s disease (AD) is a neurological disorder with still no preventive or curative treatment. Flavonoids are phytochemicals with potential therapeutic value. Previous studies described the flavanone sterubin isolated from the Californian plant Eriodictyon californicum as a potent neuroprotectant in several in vitro assays. Herein, the resolution of synthetic racemic sterubin (1) into its two enantiomers, (R)-1 and (S)-1, is described, which has been performed on a chiral chromatographic phase, and their stereochemical assignment online by HPLC-ECD coupling. (R)-1 and (S)-1 showed comparable neuroprotection in vitro with no significant differences. While the pure stereoisomers were configurationally stable in methanol, fast racemization was observed in the presence of culture medium. We also established the occurrence of extracted sterubin as its pure (S)-enantiomer. Moreover, the activity of sterubin (1) was investigated for the first time in vivo, in an AD mouse model. Sterubin (1) showed a significant positive impact on short- and long-term memory at low dosages.}, language = {en} } @article{AbdelhameedHabibGodaetal.2020, author = {Abdelhameed, Reda F. A. and Habib, Eman S. and Goda, Marwa S. and Fahim, John Refaat and Hassanean, Hashem A. and Eltamany, Enas E. and Ibrahim, Amany K. and AboulMagd, Asmaa M. and Fayez, Shaimaa and Abd El-kader, Adel M. and Al-Warhi, Tarfah and Bringmann, Gerhard and Ahmed, Safwat A. and Abdelmohsen, Usama Ramadan}, title = {Thalassosterol, a New Cytotoxic Aromatase Inhibitor Ergosterol Derivative from the Red Sea Seagrass Thalassodendron ciliatum}, series = {Marine Drugs}, volume = {18}, journal = {Marine Drugs}, number = {7}, doi = {10.3390/md18070354}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-236085}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Thalassodendron ciliatum (Forssk.) Den Hartog is a seagrass belonging to the plant family Cymodoceaceae with ubiquitous phytoconstituents and important pharmacological potential, including antioxidant, antiviral, and cytotoxic activities. In this work, a new ergosterol derivative named thalassosterol (1) was isolated from the methanolic extract of T. ciliatum growing in the Red Sea, along with two known first-reported sterols, namely ergosterol (2) and stigmasterol (3), using different chromatographic techniques. The structure of the new compound was established based on 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HR-MS) and by comparison with the literature data. The new ergosterol derivative showed significant in vitro antiproliferative potential against the human cervical cancer cell line (HeLa) and human breast cancer (MCF-7) cell lines, with IC\(_{50}\) values of 8.12 and 14.24 µM, respectively. In addition, docking studies on the new sterol 1 explained the possible binding interactions with an aromatase enzyme; this inhibition is beneficial in both cervical and breast cancer therapy. A metabolic analysis of the crude extract of T. ciliatum using liquid chromatography combined with high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-HR-MS) revealed the presence of an array of phenolic compounds, sterols and ceramides, as well as di- and triglycerides.}, language = {en} } @article{AbdelhameedEltamanyHaletal.2020, author = {Abdelhameed, Reda F. A. and Eltamany, Enas E. and Hal, Dina M. and Ibrahim, Amany K. and AboulMagd, Asmaa M. and Al-Warhi, Tarfah and Youssif, Khayrya A. and Abd El-kader, Adel M. and Hassanean, Hashim A. and Fayez, Shaimaa and Bringmann, Gerhard and Ahmed, Safwat A. and Abdelmohsen, Usama Ramadan}, title = {New cytotoxic cerebrosides from the Red Sea cucumber Holothuria spinifera supported by in-silico studies}, series = {Marine Drugs}, volume = {18}, journal = {Marine Drugs}, number = {8}, issn = {1660-3397}, doi = {10.3390/md18080405}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-211089}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Bioactivity-guided fractionation of a methanolic extract of the Red Sea cucumber Holothuria spinifera and LC-HRESIMS-assisted dereplication resulted in the isolation of four compounds, three new cerebrosides, spiniferosides A (1), B (2), and C (3), and cholesterol sulfate (4). The chemical structures of the isolated compounds were established on the basis of their 1D NMR and HRMS spectral data. Metabolic profiling of the H. spinifera extract indicated the presence of diverse secondary metabolites, mostly hydroxy fatty acids, diterpenes, triterpenes, and cerebrosides. The isolated compounds were tested for their in vitro cytotoxicities against the breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7 cell line. Compounds 1, 2, 3, and 4 displayed promising cytotoxic activities against MCF-7 cells, with IC\(_{50}\) values of 13.83, 8.13, 8.27, and 35.56 µM, respectively, compared to that of the standard drug doxorubicin (IC\(_{50}\) 8.64 µM). Additionally, docking studies were performed for compounds 1, 2, 3, and 4 to elucidate their binding interactions with the active site of the SET protein, an inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), which could explain their cytotoxic activity. This study highlights the important role of these metabolites in the defense mechanism of the sea cucumber against fouling organisms and the potential uses of these active molecules in the design of new anticancer agents.}, language = {en} } @article{SanchezNayaStepanenkoMandeletal.2021, author = {Sanchez-Naya, Roberto and Stepanenko, Vladimir and Mandel, Karl and Beuerle, Florian}, title = {Modulation of Crystallinity and Optical Properties in Composite Materials Combining Iron Oxide Nanoparticles and Dye-Containing Covalent Organic Frameworks}, series = {Organic Materials}, volume = {3}, journal = {Organic Materials}, doi = {10.1055/s-0040-1722655}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-231480}, pages = {17-24}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Two series of organic-inorganic composite materials were synthesized through solvothermal imine condensation between diketopyrrolopyrrole dialdehyde DPP-1 and 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-aminophenyl)porphyrin (TAPP) in the presence of varying amounts of either amino- or carboxy-functionalized superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (FeO). Whereas high FeO loading induced cross-linking of the inorganic nanoparticles by amorphous imine polymers, a lower FeO content resulted in the formation of crystalline covalent organic framework domains. All hybrid materials were analyzed by magnetization measurements, powder X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, IR, and UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy. Crystallinity, chromophore stacking, and visible absorption features are directly correlated to the mass fraction of the components, thus allowing for a fine-tuning of materials properties.}, language = {en} } @article{GoetzKunzFinketal.2020, author = {G{\"o}tz, Ralph and Kunz, Tobias C. and Fink, Julian and Solger, Franziska and Schlegel, Jan and Seibel, J{\"u}rgen and Kozjak-Pavlovic, Vera and Rudel, Thomas and Sauer, Markus}, title = {Nanoscale imaging of bacterial infections by sphingolipid expansion microscopy}, series = {Nature Communications}, volume = {11}, journal = {Nature Communications}, doi = {10.1038/s41467-020-19897-1}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-231248}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Expansion microscopy (ExM) enables super-resolution imaging of proteins and nucleic acids on conventional microscopes. However, imaging of details of the organization of lipid bilayers by light microscopy remains challenging. We introduce an unnatural short-chain azide- and amino-modified sphingolipid ceramide, which upon incorporation into membranes can be labeled by click chemistry and linked into hydrogels, followed by 4x to 10x expansion. Confocal and structured illumination microscopy (SIM) enable imaging of sphingolipids and their interactions with proteins in the plasma membrane and membrane of intracellular organelles with a spatial resolution of 10-20nm. As our functionalized sphingolipids accumulate efficiently in pathogens, we use sphingolipid ExM to investigate bacterial infections of human HeLa229 cells by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis and Simkania negevensis with a resolution so far only provided by electron microscopy. In particular, sphingolipid ExM allows us to visualize the inner and outer membrane of intracellular bacteria and determine their distance to 27.6 +/- 7.7nm. Imaging of lipid bilayers using light microscopy is challenging. Here the authors label cells using a short chain click-compatible ceramide to visualize mammalian and bacterial membranes with expansion microscopy.}, language = {en} } @article{WehnerRoehrStepanenkoetal.2020, author = {Wehner, Marius and R{\"o}hr, Merle Insa Silja and Stepanenko, Vladimir and W{\"u}rthner, Frank}, title = {Control of self-assembly pathways toward conglomerate and racemic supramolecular polymers}, series = {Nature Communications}, volume = {11}, journal = {Nature Communications}, doi = {10.1038/s41467-020-19189-8}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-230580}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Homo- and heterochiral aggregation during crystallization of organic molecules has significance both for fundamental questions related to the origin of life as well as for the separation of homochiral compounds from their racemates in industrial processes. Herein, we analyse these phenomena at the lowest level of hierarchy - that is the self-assembly of a racemic mixture of (R,R)- and (S,S)-PBI into 1D supramolecular polymers. By a combination of UV/vis and NMR spectroscopy as well as atomic force microscopy, we demonstrate that homochiral aggregation of the racemic mixture leads to the formation of two types of supramolecular conglomerates under kinetic control, while under thermodynamic control heterochiral aggregation is preferred, affording a racemic supramolecular polymer. FT-IR spectroscopy and quantum-chemical calculations reveal unique packing arrangements and hydrogen-bonding patterns within these supramolecular polymers. Time-, concentration- and temperature-dependent UV/vis experiments provide further insights into the kinetic and thermodynamic control of the conglomerate and racemic supramolecular polymer formation. Homo- and heterochiral aggregation is a process of interest to prebiotic and chiral separation chemistry. Here, the authors analyze the self-assembly of a racemic mixture into 1D supramolecular polymers and find homochiral aggregation into conglomerates under kinetic control, while under thermodynamic control a racemic polymer is formed.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Roos2021, author = {Roos, Markus}, title = {Synthesis, Photophysics and Photocatalysis of [FeFe] Complex Containing Dyads and Bimolecular Systems}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-23453}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-234537}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2021}, abstract = {In the course of this work, a total of three photocatalytically active dyads for proton reduction could be synthesized together with the associated individual components. Two of them, D1 and D2, comprised a [Ru(bpy)3]2+ photosensitizer and D3 an [Ir(ppy)2bpy]+ photosensitizer. A Ppyr3-substituted propyldithiolate [FeFe] complex was used as catalyst in all systems. The absorption spectroscopic and electrochemical investigations showed that an inner-dyadic electronic coupling is effectively prevented in the dyads due to conjugation blockers within the bridging units used. The photocatalytic investigations exhibited that all dyad containing two-component systems (2CS) showed a significantly worse performance than the corresponding bimolecular three-component systems (3CS). Transient absorption spectroscopy showed that the 2CS behave very similarly to the associated multicomponent systems during photocatalysis. The electron that was intended for the intramolecular transfer from the photosensitizer unit to the catalyst unit within the dyads remains at the photosensitizer for a relatively long time, analogous to the 3CS and despite the covalently bound catalyst. It is therefore assumed that this intramolecular electron transfer is likely to be hindered as a result of the weak electronic coupling caused by the bridge units used. Instead, the system bypasses this through an intermolecular transfer to other dyad molecules in the immediate vicinity. In addition, with the help of emission quenching experiments and electrochemical investigations, it could be clearly concluded that all investigated systems proceed via the reductive quenching mechanism during photocatalysis.}, subject = {Fotokatalyse}, language = {en} } @article{BinasBessiSchwalbe2020, author = {Binas, Oliver and Bessi, Irene and Schwalbe, Harald}, title = {Structure Validation of G-Rich RNAs in Noncoding Regions of the Human Genome}, series = {ChemBioChem}, volume = {21}, journal = {ChemBioChem}, number = {11}, doi = {10.1002/cbic.201900696}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-214892}, pages = {1656 -- 1663}, year = {2020}, abstract = {We present the rapid biophysical characterization of six previously reported putative G-quadruplex-forming RNAs from the 5′-untranslated region (5′-UTR) of silvestrol-sensitive transcripts for investigation of their secondary structures. By NMR and CD spectroscopic analysis, we found that only a single sequence—[AGG]\(_{2}\)[CGG]\(_{2}\)C—folds into a single well-defined G-quadruplex structure. Sequences with longer poly-G strands form unspecific aggregates, whereas CGG-repeat-containing sequences exhibit a temperature-dependent equilibrium between a hairpin and a G-quadruplex structure. The applied experimental strategy is fast and provides robust readout for G-quadruplex-forming capacities of RNA oligomers.}, language = {en} } @article{SchlosserCibulkaGrossetal.2020, author = {Schlosser, Julika and Cibulka, Radek and Groß, Philipp and Ihmels, Heiko and Mohrschladt, Christian J.}, title = {Visible-Light-Induced Di-\(\pi\)-Methane Rearrangement of Dibenzobarrelene Derivatives}, series = {ChemPhotoChem}, volume = {4}, journal = {ChemPhotoChem}, number = {2}, doi = {10.1002/cptc.201900221}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-212633}, pages = {132 -- 137}, year = {2020}, abstract = {It is demonstrated that the di-\(\pi\)-methane (DPM) rearrangement of carbonyl-substituted dibenzobarrelene (9,10-dihydro-9,10-ethenoanthracene) derivatives is induced by visible-light-induced triplet photosensitization with Ir(ppy)\(_{3}\), Ir(dFppy)\(_{3}\) or 1-butyl-7,8-dimethoxy-3-methylalloxazine as catalysts, whereas derivatives that lack carbonyl substituents are photoinert under these conditions. Notably, the products are formed almost quantitatively.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{KimbadiLombe2021, author = {Kimbadi Lombe, Blaise}, title = {Novel-Type Dimeric Naphthylisoquinoline Alkaloids from Congolese Ancistrocladus Lianas: Isolation, Structural Elucidation, and Antiprotozoal and Anti-Tumoral Activities}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-19178}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-191789}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Herein described is the discovery of three novel types of dimeric naphthylisoquinoline alkaloids, named mbandakamines, cyclombandakamines, and spirombandakamines. They were found in the leaves of a botanically as yet unidentified, potentially new Ancistrocladus species, collected in the rainforest of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Mbandakamines showed an exceptional 6′,1′′-coupling, in the peri-position neighboring one of the outer axes, leading to an extremely high steric hindrance at the central axis, and to U-turn-like molecular shape, which - different from all other dimeric NIQs, whose basic structures are all quite linear - brings three of the four bicyclic ring systems in close proximity to each other. This created an unprecedented follow-up chemistry, involving ring closure reactions, leading to two further, structurally even more intriguing subclasses, the cyclo- and the spirombandakamines, displaying eight stereogenic elements (the highest total number ever found in naphthylisoquinoline alkaloids). The metabolites exhibited pronounced antiplasmodial and antitrypanosomal activities. Likewise reported in this doctoral thesis are the isolation and structural elucidation of naphthylisoquinoline alkaloids from two further potentially new Ancistrocladus species from DRC. Some of these metabolites have shown pronounced antiausterity activities against human pancreatic cancer PANC-1 cells.}, subject = {Naphthylisochinolinalkaloide}, language = {en} } @article{WawraFeselWidmeretal.2016, author = {Wawra, Stephan and Fesel, Philipp and Widmer, Heidi and Timm, Malte and Seibel, J{\"u}rgen and Leson, Lisa and Kesseler, Leona and Nostadt, Robin and Hilbert, Magdalena and Langen, Gregor and Zuccaro, Alga}, title = {The fungal-specific beta-glucan-binding lectin FGB1 alters cell-wall composition and suppresses glucan-triggered immunity in plants}, series = {Nature Communications}, volume = {7}, journal = {Nature Communications}, doi = {10.1038/ncomms13188}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-165945}, pages = {13188}, year = {2016}, abstract = {β-glucans are well-known modulators of the immune system in mammals but little is known about β-glucan triggered immunity in planta. Here we show by isothermal titration calorimetry, circular dichroism spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy that the FGB1 gene from the root endophyte Piriformospora indica encodes for a secreted fungal-specific β-glucan-binding lectin with dual function. This lectin has the potential to both alter fungal cell wall composition and properties, and to efficiently suppress β-glucan-triggered immunity in different plant hosts, such as Arabidopsis, barley and Nicotiana benthamiana. Our results hint at the existence of fungal effectors that deregulate innate sensing of β-glucan in plants.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Rausch2021, author = {Rausch, Rodger}, title = {Chemistry of Chromophore Bridged Biradicals - Synthesis and Properties}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-22650}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-226501}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Within this PhD thesis, chromophore-bridged biradicals were synthesised and their properties characterised. Therefore, it was necessary to develop novel synthetic procedures and implement several experimental characterisation methods. In summary, within this thesis the scope of pigment chromophore phenoxyl radical decoration was further explored and expanded to IIn as well as DPP colourants. HOMA analysis highlighted the importance of aromaticity in order to understand the spin crossover from heteroaromatic quinoidal to aromatic open shell DPPs. Finally, PBI, IIn and DPP biradicals were advanced towards stable materials by introduction of nitronyl nitroxide radical centres.}, subject = {Biradikal}, language = {en} } @article{ZahranAlbohyKhaliletal.2020, author = {Zahran, Eman Maher and Albohy, Amgad and Khalil, Amira and Ibrahim, Alyaa Hatem and Ahmed, Heba Ali and El-Hossary, Ebaa M. and Bringmann, Gerhard and Abdelmohsen, Usama Ramadan}, title = {Bioactivity Potential of Marine Natural Products from Scleractinia-Associated Microbes and In Silico Anti-SARS-COV-2 Evaluation}, series = {Marine Drugs}, volume = {18}, journal = {Marine Drugs}, number = {12}, issn = {1660-3397}, doi = {10.3390/md18120645}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-220041}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Marine organisms and their associated microbes are rich in diverse chemical leads. With the development of marine biotechnology, a considerable number of research activities are focused on marine bacteria and fungi-derived bioactive compounds. Marine bacteria and fungi are ranked on the top of the hierarchy of all organisms, as they are responsible for producing a wide range of bioactive secondary metabolites with possible pharmaceutical applications. Thus, they have the potential to provide future drugs against challenging diseases, such as cancer, a range of viral diseases, malaria, and inflammation. This review aims at describing the literature on secondary metabolites that have been obtained from Scleractinian-associated organisms including bacteria, fungi, and zooxanthellae, with full coverage of the period from 1982 to 2020, as well as illustrating their biological activities and structure activity relationship (SAR). Moreover, all these compounds were filtered based on ADME analysis to determine their physicochemical properties, and 15 compounds were selected. The selected compounds were virtually investigated for potential inhibition for SARS-CoV-2 targets using molecular docking studies. Promising potential results against SARS-CoV-2 RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and methyltransferase (nsp16) are presented.}, language = {en} } @article{WuerthnerNoll2021, author = {W{\"u}rthner, Frank and Noll, Niklas}, title = {A Calix[4]arene-Based Cyclic Dinuclear Ruthenium Complex for Light-Driven Catalytic Water Oxidation}, series = {Chemistry - A European Journal}, volume = {27}, journal = {Chemistry - A European Journal}, number = {1}, doi = {10.1002/chem.202004486}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-230030}, pages = {444-450}, year = {2021}, abstract = {A cyclic dinuclear ruthenium(bda) (bda: 2,2'-bipyridine-6,6'-dicarboxylate) complex equipped with oligo(ethylene glycol)-functionalized axial calix[4]arene ligands has been synthesized for homogenous catalytic water oxidation. This novel Ru(bda) macrocycle showed significantly increased catalytic activity in chemical and photocatalytic water oxidation compared to the archetype mononuclear reference [Ru(bda)(pic)\(_2\)]. Kinetic investigations, including kinetic isotope effect studies, disclosed a unimolecular water nucleophilic attack mechanism of this novel dinuclear water oxidation catalyst (WOC) under the involvement of the second coordination sphere. Photocatalytic water oxidation with this cyclic dinuclear Ru complex using [Ru(bpy)\(_3\)]Cl\(_2\) as a standard photosensitizer revealed a turnover frequency of 15.5 s\(^{-1}\) and a turnover number of 460. This so far highest photocatalytic performance reported for a Ru(bda) complex underlines the potential of this water-soluble WOC for artificial photosynthesis.}, language = {en} } @article{WuerthnerMezaChinchaSchindleretal.2021, author = {W{\"u}rthner, Frank and Meza-Chincha, Ana-Lucia and Schindler, Dorothee and Natali, Mirco}, title = {Effects of Photosensitizers and Reaction Media on Light-Driven Water Oxidation with Trinuclear Ruthenium Macrocycles}, series = {ChemPhotoChem}, volume = {5}, journal = {ChemPhotoChem}, number = {2}, doi = {10.1002/cptc.202000133}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-230116}, pages = {173-183}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Photocatalytic water oxidation is a promising process for the production of solar fuels and the elucidation of factors that influence this process is of high significance. Thus, we have studied in detail light-driven water oxidation with a trinuclear Ru(bda) (bda: 2,2'-bipyridine-6,6'-dicarboxylate) macrocycle MC3 and its highly water soluble derivative m-CH\(_2\)NMe\(_2\)-MC3 using a series of ruthenium tris(bipyridine) complexes as photosensitizers under varied reaction conditions. Our investigations showed that the catalytic activities of these Ru macrocycles are significantly affected by the choice of photosensitizer (PS) and reaction media, in addition to buffer concentration, light intensity and concentration of the sensitizer. Our steady-state and transient spectroscopic studies revealed that the photocatalytic performance of trinuclear Ru(bda) macrocycles is not limited by their intrinsic catalytic activities but rather by the efficiency of photogeneration of oxidant PS\(^+\) and its ability to act as an oxidizing agent to the catalysts as both are strongly dependent on the choice of photosensitizer and the amount of employed organic co-solvent.}, language = {en} } @article{SchindlerGil‐SepulcreLindneretal.2020, author = {Schindler, Dorothee and Gil-Sepulcre, Marcos and Lindner, Joachim O. and Stepanenko, Vladimir and Moonshiram, Dooshaye and Llobet, Antoni and W{\"u}rthner, Frank}, title = {Efficient Electrochemical Water Oxidation by a Trinuclear Ru(bda) Macrocycle Immobilized on Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube Electrodes}, series = {Advanced Energy Materials}, volume = {10}, journal = {Advanced Energy Materials}, number = {43}, doi = {10.1002/aenm.202002329}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-218381}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Catalytic water splitting is a viable process for the generation of renewable fuels. Here it is reported for the first time that a trinuclear supramolecular Ru(bda) (bda: 2,2′-bipyridine-6,6′-dicarboxylate) catalyst, anchored on multi-walled carbon nanotubes and subsequently immobilized on glassy carbon electrodes, shows outstanding performance in heterogeneous water oxidation. Activation of the catalyst on anodes by repetitive cyclic voltammetry (CV) scans results in a catalytic current density of 186 mA cm\(^{-2}\) at a potential of 1.45 V versus NHE. The activated catalyst performs water oxidation at an onset overpotential of 330 mV. The remarkably high stability of the hybrid anode is demonstrated by X-ray absorption spectroscopy and electrochemically, revealing the absence of any degradation after 1.8 million turnovers. Foot of the wave analysis of CV data of activated electrodes with different concentrations of catalyst indicates a monomolecular water nucleophilic attack mechanism with an apparent rate constant of TOFmax (turnover frequency) of 3200 s\(^{-1}\).}, language = {en} } @article{SolgerKunzFinketal.2020, author = {Solger, Franziska and Kunz, Tobias C. and Fink, Julian and Paprotka, Kerstin and Pfister, Pauline and Hagen, Franziska and Schumacher, Fabian and Kleuser, Burkhard and Seibel, J{\"u}rgen and Rudel, Thomas}, title = {A Role of Sphingosine in the Intracellular Survival of Neisseria gonorrhoeae}, series = {Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology}, volume = {10}, journal = {Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology}, issn = {2235-2988}, doi = {10.3389/fcimb.2020.00215}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-204111}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Obligate human pathogenic Neisseria gonorrhoeae are the second most frequent bacterial cause of sexually transmitted diseases. These bacteria invade different mucosal tissues and occasionally disseminate into the bloodstream. Invasion into epithelial cells requires the activation of host cell receptors by the formation of ceramide-rich platforms. Here, we investigated the role of sphingosine in the invasion and intracellular survival of gonococci. Sphingosine exhibited an anti-gonococcal activity in vitro. We used specific sphingosine analogs and click chemistry to visualize sphingosine in infected cells. Sphingosine localized to the membrane of intracellular gonococci. Inhibitor studies and the application of a sphingosine derivative indicated that increased sphingosine levels reduced the intracellular survival of gonococci. We demonstrate here, that sphingosine can target intracellular bacteria and may therefore exert a direct bactericidal effect inside cells.}, language = {en} } @article{SpenstYoungWasielewskietal.2016, author = {Spenst, Peter and Young, Ryan M. and Wasielewski, Michael R. and W{\"u}rthner, Frank}, title = {Guest and solvent modulated photo-driven charge separation and triplet generation in a perylene bisimide cyclophane}, series = {Chemical Science}, volume = {7}, journal = {Chemical Science}, number = {8}, doi = {10.1039/c6sc01574c}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-191252}, pages = {5428-5434}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Cofacial positioning of two perylene bisimide (PBI) chromophores at a distance of 6.5 angstrom in a cyclophane structure prohibits the otherwise common excimer formation and directs photoexcited singlet state relaxation towards intramolecular symmetry-breaking charge separation (τ\(_{CS}\) = 161 +/- 4 ps) in polar CH\(_2\)Cl\(_2\), which is thermodynamically favored with a Gibbs free energy of ΔG\(_{CS}\) = -0.32 eV. The charges then recombine slowly in τ\(_{CR}\) = 8.90 +/- 0.06 ns to form the PBI triplet excited state, which can be used subsequently to generate singlet oxygen in 27\% quantum yield. This sequence of events is eliminated by dissolving the PBI cyclophane in non-polar toluene, where only excited singlet state decay occurs. In contrast, complexation of electron-rich aromatic hydrocarbons by the host PBI cyclophane followed by photoexcitation of PBI results in ultrafast electron transfer (<10 ps) from the guest to the PBI in CH\(_2\)Cl\(_2\). The rate constants for charge separation and recombination increase as the guest molecules become easier to oxidize, demonstrating that charge separation occurs close to the peak of the Marcus curve and the recombination lies far into the Marcus inverted region.}, language = {en} } @article{WalterCollenburgJaptoketal.2016, author = {Walter, T. and Collenburg, L. and Japtok, L. and Kleuser, B. and Schneider-Schaulies, S. and M{\"u}ller, N. and Becam, J. and Schubert-Unkmeir, A. and Kong, J. N. and Bieberich, E. and Seibel, J.}, title = {Incorporation and visualization of azido-functionalized N-oleoyl serinol in Jurkat cells, mouse brain astrocytes, 3T3 fibroblasts and human brain microvascular endothelial cells}, series = {Chemical Communications}, volume = {52}, journal = {Chemical Communications}, number = {55}, doi = {10.1039/c6cc02879a}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-191263}, pages = {8612-8614}, year = {2016}, abstract = {The synthesis and biological evaluation of azido-N-oleoyl serinol is reported. It mimicks biofunctional lipid ceramides and has shown to be capable of click reactions for cell membrane imaging in Jurkat and human brain microvascular endothelial cells.}, language = {en} } @article{GershbergFennelRehmetal.2016, author = {Gershberg, Jana and Fennel, Franziska and Rehm, Thomas H. and Lochbrunner, Stefan and W{\"u}rthner, Frank}, title = {Anti-cooperative supramolecular polymerization: a new K\(_2\)-K model applied to the self-assembly of perylene bisimide dye proceeding via well-defined hydrogen-bonded dimers}, series = {Chemical Science}, volume = {7}, journal = {Chemical Science}, number = {3}, doi = {10.1039/c5sc03759j}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-191428}, pages = {1729-1737}, year = {2016}, abstract = {A perylene bisimide dye bearing amide functionalities at the imide positions derived from amino acid L-alanine and a dialkoxy-substituted benzyl amine self-assembles into tightly bound dimers by π-π-stacking and hydrogen bonding in chloroform. In less polar or unpolar solvents like toluene and methylcyclohexane, and in their mixtures, these dimers further self-assemble into extended oligomeric aggregates in an anti-cooperative process in which even numbered aggregates are highly favoured. The stepwise transition from dimers into oligomers can not be properly described by conventional K\(_2\)-K model, and thus a new K\(_2\)-K aggregation model has been developed, which interpretes the present anti-cooperative supramolecular polymerization more appropriately. The newly developed K\(_2\)-K model will be useful to describe self-assembly processes of a plethora of other π-conjugated molecules that are characterized by a favored dimer species.}, language = {en} } @article{KarGehrigAllampallyetal.2016, author = {Kar, Haridas and Gehrig, Dominik W. and Allampally, Naveen Kumar and Fern{\´a}ndez, Gustavo and Laquai, Fr{\´e}d{\´e}ric and Ghosh, Suhrit}, title = {Cooperative supramolecular polymerization of an amine-substituted naphthalene-diimide and its impact on excited state photophysical properties}, series = {Chemical Science}, volume = {7}, journal = {Chemical Science}, number = {2}, doi = {10.1039/c5sc03462k}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-191459}, pages = {1115-1120}, year = {2016}, abstract = {A donor-acceptor-donor (D-A-D) type naphthalene-diimide (NDI-H) chromophore exhibits highly cooperative J-aggregation leading to nanotubular self-assembly and gelation in n-decane, as demonstrated by UV/Vis, FT-IR, photoluminescence and microscopy studies. Analysis of temperature-dependent UV/Vis spectra using the nucleation-elongation model and FT-IR data reveals the molecular origin of the cooperative nature of the self-assembly. The supramolecular polymerization is initiated by H-bonding up to a degree of polymerization similar to 20-25, which in a subsequent elongation step promotes J-aggregation in orthogonal direction leading to possibly a sheet-like structure that eventually produces nanotubes. Time-resolved fluorescence and absorption measurements demonstrate that such a tubular assembly enables very effective delocalization of excited states resulting in a remarkably prolonged excited state lifetime.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Sapotta2021, author = {Sapotta, Meike}, title = {Perylene Bisimide Cyclophanes: Recognition of Alkaloids, Aggregation Behavior in Aqueous Environment and Guest-Mediated Chirality Transfer}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-20002}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-200028}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Inspired by the fact that sufficient solubility in aqueous media can be achieved by functional substitution of perylene bisimides (PBIs) with polar groups, one of the essential aims of this thesis was the design and successful synthesis of the new water-soluble PBI cyclophanes [2PBI]-1m and [2PBI]-1p, which are appended with branched, hydrophilic oligoethylene glycol (OEG) chains. Subsequently, the focus was set on the elucidation of properties of PBI cyclophane hosts which are also of relevance for recognition processes in biological systems. The performance of the new amphiphilic PBI cyclophane [2PBI]-1p as synthetic receptors for various natural aromatic alkaloids in aqueous media was thoroughly investigated. Alkaloids represent a prominent class of ubiquitous nitrogen containing natural compounds with a great structural variety and diverse biological activity. As of yet, no chromophore host acting as a molecular probe for a range of alkaloids such as harmine or harmaline is known. In addition, the self-association behavior of cyclophane host [2PBI]-1m and its reference monomer in water was studied in order to gain insights into the thermodynamic driving forces affecting the self-assembly process of these two PBI systems in aqueous environment. Moreover, the chirality transfer upon guest binding previously observed for a PBI cyclophane was investigated further. The assignment of the underlying mechanism of guest recognition to either the induced fit or conformational selection model was of particular interest.}, subject = {Supramolekulare Chemie}, language = {en} } @article{KraftStanglKrauseetal.2017, author = {Kraft, Andreas and Stangl, Johannes and Krause, Ana-Maria and M{\"u}ller-Buschbaum, Klaus and Beuerle, Florian}, title = {Supramolecular frameworks based on [60]fullerene hexakisadducts}, series = {Beilstein Journal of Organic Chemistry}, volume = {13}, journal = {Beilstein Journal of Organic Chemistry}, doi = {10.3762/bjoc.13.1}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-171996}, pages = {1-9}, year = {2017}, abstract = {[60]Fullerene hexakisadducts possessing 12 carboxylic acid side chains form crystalline hydrogen-bonding frameworks in the solid state. Depending on the length of the linker between the reactive sites and the malonate units, the distance of the [60]fullerene nodes and thereby the spacing of the frameworks can be controlled and for the most elongated derivative, continuous channels are obtained within the structure. Stability, structural integrity and porosity of the material were investigated by powder X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry and sorption measurements.}, language = {en} } @article{WaechtlerKuebelBarthelmesetal.2016, author = {W{\"a}chtler, Maria and K{\"u}bel, Joachim and Barthelmes, Kevin and Winter, Andreas and Schmiedel, Alexander and Pascher, Torbj{\"o}rn and Lambert, Christoph and Schubert, Ulrich S. and Dietzek, Benjamin}, title = {Energy transfer and formation of long-lived \(^3\)MLCT states in multimetallic complexes with extended highly conjugated bis-terpyridyl ligands}, series = {Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics}, volume = {18}, journal = {Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics}, number = {4}, doi = {10.1039/c5cp04447b}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-191041}, pages = {2350-2360}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Multimetallic complexes with extended and highly conjugated bis-2,2':6',2''-terpyridyl bridging ligands, which present building blocks for coordination polymers, are investigated with respect to their ability to act as light-harvesting antennae. The investigated species combine Ru(II)- with Os(II)- and Fe(II)-terpyridyl chromophores, the latter acting as energy sinks. Due to the extended conjugated system the ligands are able to prolong the lifetime of the \(^3\)MLCT states compared to unsubstituted terpyridyl species by delocalization and energetic stabilization of the \(^3\)MLCT states. This concept is applied for the first time to Fe(II) terpyridyl species and results in an exceptionally long lifetime of 23 ps for the Fe(II) \(^3\)MLCT state. While partial energy (>80\%) transfer is observed between the Ru(II) and Fe(II) centers with a time-constant of 15 ps, excitation energy is transferred completely from the Ru(II) to the Os(II) center within the first 200 fs after excitation.}, language = {en} } @article{FayezFeineisMudogoetal.2017, author = {Fayez, Shaimaa and Feineis, Doris and Mudogo, Virima and Awale, Suresh and Bringmann, Gerhard}, title = {Ancistrolikokines E-H and related 5,8\('\)-coupled naphthylisoquinoline alkaloids from the Congolese liana \(Ancistrocladus\) \(likoko\) with antiausterity activities against PANC-1 human pancreatic cancer cells}, series = {RSC Advances}, volume = {7}, journal = {RSC Advances}, number = {85}, doi = {10.1039/c7ra11200a}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-172008}, pages = {53740-53751}, year = {2017}, abstract = {A striking feature of the metabolite profile of \(Ancistrocladus\) \(likoko\) (Ancistrocladaceae) is the exclusive production of 5,8\('\)-linked naphthylisoquinoline alkaloids varying in their OMe/OH substitution patterns and in the hydrogenation degree in their isoquinoline portions. Here we present nine new compounds of this coupling type isolated from the twigs of this remarkable Central African liana. Three of them, the ancistrolikokines E (9), E\(_2\) (10), and F (11), are the first 5,8\('\)-linked naphthyldihydroisoquinolines found in nature with \(R\)-configuration at C-3. The fourth new metabolite, ancistrolikokine G (12), is so far the only representative of the 5,8\('\)-coupling type that belongs to the very rare group of alkaloids with a fully dehydrogenated isoquinoline portion. Moreover, five new \(N\)-methylated naphthyltetrahydroisoquinolines, named ancistrolikokines A\(_2\) (13), A\(_3\) (14), C\(_2\) (5), H (15), and H\(_2\) (16) are presented, along with six known 5,8\('\)-linked alkaloids, previously identified in related African \(Ancistrocladus\) species, now found for the first time in \(A.\) \(likoko\). The structural elucidation was achieved by spectroscopic analysis (HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR) and by chemical (oxidative degradation) and chiroptical (electronic circular dichroism) methods. The new ancistrolikokines showed moderate to good preferential cytotoxic activities towards pancreatic PANC-1 cells in nutrient-deprived medium (NDM), without causing toxicity under normal, nutrient-rich conditions, with ancistrolikokine H\(_2\) (16) being the most potent compound.}, language = {en} } @article{KokicHillenTegunovetal.2021, author = {Kokic, Goran and Hillen, Hauke S. and Tegunov, Dimitry and Dienermann, Christian and Seitz, Florian and Schmitzova, Jana and Farnung, Lucas and Siewert, Aaron and H{\"o}bartner, Claudia and Cramer, Patrick}, title = {Mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 polymerase stalling by remdesivir}, series = {Nature Communications}, volume = {12}, journal = {Nature Communications}, doi = {10.1038/s41467-020-20542-0}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-220979}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Remdesivir is the only FDA-approved drug for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. The active form of remdesivir acts as a nucleoside analog and inhibits the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) of coronaviruses including SARS-CoV-2. Remdesivir is incorporated by the RdRp into the growing RNA product and allows for addition of three more nucleotides before RNA synthesis stalls. Here we use synthetic RNA chemistry, biochemistry and cryoelectron microscopy to establish the molecular mechanism of remdesivir-induced RdRp stalling. We show that addition of the fourth nucleotide following remdesivir incorporation into the RNA product is impaired by a barrier to further RNA translocation. This translocation barrier causes retention of the RNA 3ʹ-nucleotide in the substrate-binding site of the RdRp and interferes with entry of the next nucleoside triphosphate, thereby stalling RdRp. In the structure of the remdesivir-stalled state, the 3ʹ-nucleotide of the RNA product is matched and located with the template base in the active center, and this may impair proofreading by the viral 3ʹ-exonuclease. These mechanistic insights should facilitate the quest for improved antivirals that target coronavirus replication.}, language = {en} } @article{SulimanSunPedersenetal.2016, author = {Suliman, Salwa and Sun, Yang and Pedersen, Torbjorn O. and Xue, Ying and Nickel, Joachim and Waag, Thilo and Finne-Wistrand, Anna and Steinm{\"u}ller-Nethl, Doris and Krueger, Anke and Costea, Daniela E. and Mustafa, Kamal}, title = {In vivo host response and degradation of copolymer scaffolds functionalized with nanodiamonds and bone morphogenetic protein 2}, series = {Advanced Healthcare Materials}, volume = {5}, journal = {Advanced Healthcare Materials}, number = {6}, doi = {10.1002/adhm.201500723}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-189764}, pages = {730-742}, year = {2016}, abstract = {The aim is to evaluate the effect of modifying poly[(L-lactide)-co-(epsilon-caprolactone)] scaffolds (PLCL) with nanodiamonds (nDP) or with nDP+physisorbed BMP-2 (nDP+BMP-2) on in vivo host tissue response and degradation. The scaffolds are implanted subcutaneously in Balb/c mice and retrieved after 1, 8, and 27 weeks. Molecular weight analysis shows that modified scaffolds degrade faster than the unmodified. Gene analysis at week 1 shows highest expression of proinflammatory markers around nDP scaffolds; although the presence of inflammatory cells and foreign body giant cells is more prominent around the PLCL. Tissue regeneration markers are highly expressed in the nDP+BMP-2 scaffolds at week 8. A fibrous capsule is detectable by week 8, thinnest around nDP scaffolds and at week 27 thickest around PLCL scaffolds. mRNA levels of ALP, COL1 alpha 2, and ANGPT1 are signifi cantly upregulating in the nDP+BMP-2 scaffolds at week 1 with ectopic bone seen at week 8. Even when almost 90\% of the scaffold is degraded at week 27, nDP are observable at implantation areas without adverse effects. In conclusion, modifying PLCL scaffolds with nDP does not aggravate the host response and physisorbed BMP-2 delivery attenuates infl ammation while lowering the dose of BMP-2 to a relatively safe and economical level.}, language = {en} } @unpublished{ScheitlGhaemMaghamiLenzetal.2020, author = {Scheitl, Carolin P.M. and Ghaem Maghami, Mohammad and Lenz, Ann-Kathrin and H{\"o}bartner, Claudia}, title = {Site-specific RNA methylation by a methyltransferase ribozyme}, series = {Nature}, journal = {Nature}, doi = {10.1038/s41586-020-2854-z}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-218687}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Nearly all classes of coding and non-coding RNA undergo post-transcriptional modification including RNA methylation. Methylated nucleotides belong to the evolutionarily most conserved features of tRNA and rRNA.1,2 Many contemporary methyltransferases use the universal cofactor S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) as methyl group donor. This and other nucleotide-derived cofactors are considered as evolutionary leftovers from an RNA World, in which ribozymes may have catalysed essential metabolic reactions beyond self-replication.3 Chemically diverse ribozymes seem to have been lost in Nature, but may be reconstructed in the laboratory by in vitro selection. Here, we report a methyltransferase ribozyme that catalyses the site-specific installation of 1-methyladenosine (m1A) in a substrate RNA, utilizing O6-methylguanine (m6G) as a small-molecule cofactor. The ribozyme shows a broad RNA sequence scope, as exemplified by site-specific adenosine methylation in tRNAs. This finding provides fundamental insights into RNA's catalytic abilities, serves a synthetic tool to install m1A in RNA, and may pave the way to in vitro evolution of other methyltransferase and demethylase ribozymes.}, language = {en} } @article{OrtizSotoSeibel2016, author = {Ortiz-Soto, Maria Elena and Seibel, J{\"u}rgen}, title = {Expression of Functional Human Sialyltransferases ST3Gal1 and ST6Gal1 in Escherichia coli}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {11}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {5}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0155410}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-179807}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Sialyltransferases (STs) are disulfide-containing, type II transmembrane glycoproteins that catalyze the transfer of sialic acid to proteins and lipids and participate in the synthesis of the core structure oligosaccharides of human milk. Sialic acids are found at the outermost position of glycostructures, playing a key role in health and disease. Sialylation is also essential for the production of recombinant therapeutic proteins (RTPs). Despite their importance, availability of sialyltransferases is limited due to the low levels of stable, soluble and active protein produced in bacterial expression systems, which hampers biochemical and structural studies on these enzymes and restricts biotechnological applications. We report the successful expression of active human sialyltransferases ST3Gal1 and ST6Gal1 in commercial Escherichia coli strains designed for production of disulfide-containing proteins. Fusion of hST3Gal1 with different solubility enhancers and substitution of exposed hydrophobic amino acids by negatively charged residues (supercharging-like approach) were performed to promote solubility and folding. Co-expression of sialyltransferases with the chaperon/foldases sulfhydryl oxidase, protein disulfide isomerase and disulfide isomerase C was explored to improve the formation of native disulfide bonds. Active sialyltransferases fused with maltose binding protein (MBP) were obtained in sufficient amounts for biochemical and structural studies when expressed under oxidative conditions and co-expression of folding factors increased the yields of active and properly folded sialyltransferases by 20\%. Mutation of exposed hydrophobic amino acids increased recovery of active enzyme by 2.5-fold, yielding about 7 mg of purified protein per liter culture. Functionality of recombinant enzymes was evaluated in the synthesis of sialosides from the β-d-galactoside substrates lactose, N-acetyllactosamine and benzyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O-(β-d-galactopyranosyl)-α-d-galactopyranoside.}, language = {en} } @article{BialasZitzlerKunkelKirchneretal.2016, author = {Bialas, David and Zitzler-Kunkel, Andr{\´e} and Kirchner, Eva and Schmidt, David and W{\"u}rthner, Frank}, title = {Structural and quantum chemical analysis of exciton coupling in homo- and heteroaggregate stacks of merocyanines}, series = {Nature Communications}, volume = {7}, journal = {Nature Communications}, doi = {10.1038/ncomms12949}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-170200}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Exciton coupling is of fundamental importance and determines functional properties of organic dyes in (opto-)electronic and photovoltaic devices. Here we show that strong exciton coupling is not limited to the situation of equal chromophores as often assumed. Quadruple dye stacks were obtained from two bis(merocyanine) dyes with same or different chromophores, respectively, which dimerize in less-polar solvents resulting in the respective homo- and heteroaggregates. The structures of the quadruple dye stacks were assigned by NMR techniques and unambiguously confirmed by single-crystal X-ray analysis. The heteroaggregate stack formed from the bis(merocyanine) bearing two different chromophores exhibits remarkably different ultraviolet/vis absorption bands compared with those of the homoaggregate of the bis(merocyanine) comprising two identical chromophores. Quantum chemical analysis based on an extension of Kasha's exciton theory appropriately describes the absorption properties of both types of stacks revealing strong exciton coupling also between different chromophores within the heteroaggregate.}, language = {en} }