@article{KleinJoheWagneretal.2020, author = {Klein, Philipp and Johe, Patrick and Wagner, Annika and Jung, Sascha and K{\"u}hlborn, Jonas and Barthels, Fabian and Tenzer, Stefan and Distler, Ute and Waigel, Waldemar and Engels, Bernd and Hellmich, Ute A. and Opatz, Till and Schirmeister, Tanja}, title = {New cysteine protease inhibitors: electrophilic (het)arenes and unexpected prodrug identification for the Trypanosoma protease rhodesain}, series = {Molecules}, volume = {25}, journal = {Molecules}, number = {6}, issn = {1420-3049}, doi = {10.3390/molecules25061451}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-203380}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Electrophilic (het)arenes can undergo reactions with nucleophiles yielding π- or Meisenheimer (σ-) complexes or the products of the S\(_N\)Ar addition/elimination reactions. Such building blocks have only rarely been employed for the design of enzyme inhibitors. Herein, we demonstrate the combination of a peptidic recognition sequence with such electrophilic (het)arenes to generate highly active inhibitors of disease-relevant proteases. We further elucidate an unexpected mode of action for the trypanosomal protease rhodesain using NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, enzyme kinetics and various types of simulations. After hydrolysis of an ester function in the recognition sequence of a weakly active prodrug inhibitor, the liberated carboxylic acid represents a highly potent inhibitor of rhodesain (K\(_i\) = 4.0 nM). The simulations indicate that, after the cleavage of the ester, the carboxylic acid leaves the active site and re-binds to the enzyme in an orientation that allows the formation of a very stable π-complex between the catalytic dyad (Cys-25/His-162) of rhodesain and the electrophilic aromatic moiety. The reversible inhibition mode results because the S\(_N\)Ar reaction, which is found in an alkaline solvent containing a low molecular weight thiol, is hindered within the enzyme due to the presence of the positively charged imidazolium ring of His-162. Comparisons between measured and calculated NMR shifts support this interpretation}, language = {en} } @article{KleinBarthelsJoheetal.2020, author = {Klein, Philipp and Barthels, Fabian and Johe, Patrick and Wagner, Annika and Tenzer, Stefan and Distler, Ute and Le, Thien Anh and Schmid, Paul and Engel, Volker and Engels, Bernd and Hellmich, Ute A. and Opatz, Till and Schirmeister, Tanja}, title = {Naphthoquinones as covalent reversible inhibitors of cysteine proteases — studies on inhibition mechanism and kinetics}, series = {Molecules}, volume = {25}, journal = {Molecules}, number = {9}, issn = {1420-3049}, doi = {10.3390/molecules25092064}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-203791}, year = {2020}, abstract = {The facile synthesis and detailed investigation of a class of highly potent protease inhibitors based on 1,4-naphthoquinones with a dipeptidic recognition motif (HN-l-Phe-l-Leu-OR) in the 2-position and an electron-withdrawing group (EWG) in the 3-position is presented. One of the compound representatives, namely the acid with EWG = CN and with R = H proved to be a highly potent rhodesain inhibitor with nanomolar affinity. The respective benzyl ester (R = Bn) was found to be hydrolyzed by the target enzyme itself yielding the free acid. Detailed kinetic and mass spectrometry studies revealed a reversible covalent binding mode. Theoretical calculations with different density functionals (DFT) as well as wavefunction-based approaches were performed to elucidate the mode of action.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Kaiser2022, author = {Kaiser, Dustin}, title = {Non-standard computational approaches applied to molecular systems}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-27664}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-276641}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2022}, abstract = {In this thesis, several contributions to the understanding and modeling of chemical phenomena using computational approaches are presented. These investigations are characterized by the usage of non-standard computational modeling techniques, which is necessitated by the complex nature of the electronic structure or atomic fluctuations of the target molecules. Multiple biradical-type molecules and their spectroscopic properties were modeled. In the course of the investigation, it is found that especially the impact of correct molecular geometries on the computationally predicted absorption properties may be critical. In order to find the correct minimum geometries, Multi-Reference methods may have to be invoked. The impact of geometry relaxation on the excitonic properties of Perylene Bisimide dimers were investigated. Oftentimes, these geometry factors are neglected in Organic Semiconductor modeling as an approximation. This present investigation suggests that this approximation is not always valid, as certain regimes are identified where geometrical parameters have critical impact on the localization and energetic properties of excitons. The mechanism of the Triazolinedione (TAD) tyrosine bioconjugation reaction is investigated using quantum-chemical methods. By comparison of different conceivable mechanisms and their energetic ordering, the TAD tyrosine bioconjugation is found to proceed by means of a base-mediated electrophilic aromatic substitution reaction. The kth nearest neighbor entropy estimation protocol is investigated. This estimator promises accurate entropy estimates even for flexible molecules with multiple structural minima. Our granular investigation of formal and practical properties of the estimator suggests that the uneven variance of a molecule's vibrational modes is the cause of the observed slow convergence of the estimator. A rescaling procedure to reestablish fast convergence is suggested and benchmarks are performed.}, subject = {Quantenchemie}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Issler2024, author = {Issler, Kevin}, title = {Theory and simulation of ultrafast autodetachment dynamics and nonradiative relaxation in molecules}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-35223}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-352232}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2024}, abstract = {In this thesis, theoretical approaches for the simulation of electron detachment processes in molecules following vibrational or electronic excitation are developed and applied. These approaches are based on the quantum-classical surface-hopping methodology, in which nuclear motion is treated classically as an ensemble of trajectories in the potential of quantum-mechanically described electronic degrees of freedom.}, subject = {Theoretische Chemie}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Holzmeier2015, author = {Holzmeier, Fabian}, title = {Photoionization of Nitrogen-Containing Reactive Molecules with Synchrotron Radiation}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-127763}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2015}, abstract = {The photoionization of several nitrogen-containing reactive intermediates relevant in combustion processes was investigated in the gas phase employing VUV synchrotron radiation. The intermediates were either freshly prepared and stored under cryogenic temperatures during the experiment or generated in situ by vacuum flash pyrolysis of suitable precursor molecules. The iPEPICO (imaging photoelectron photoion coincidence) setups of the VUV beamlines at the Swiss Light Source and Synchrotron SOLEIL were then used to record mass-selected threshold photoelectron (TPE) spectra. TPE spectra reveal the ionization energy and vibrational structure in the cationic states can often be resolved, which enables to distinguish different isomers. Accurate ionization energies for the radicals carbonyl amidogen, pyrrolyl, and 3-picolyl, and for the closed shell molecules isocyanic acid and cyanovinylacetylene were obtained. The analysis of the dissociative photoionization of the pyrolysis precursors enables in some cases to retrieve thermochemical data. Beyond, the absolute photoionization cross section of the cyclic carbene cyclopropenylidene was determined, NEXAFS and normal Auger spectra of isocyanic acid were recorded and analyzed at the O1s, N1s, and C1s edges, and the dissociative photoionization and pyrolysis of 1,4-di-tert-butyl-1,4-azaborinine was studied.}, subject = {Dissoziative Photoionisation}, language = {en} } @article{HirschPachnerFischeretal.2020, author = {Hirsch, Florian and Pachner, Kai and Fischer, Ingo and Issler, Kevin and Petersen, Jens and Mitric, Roland and Bakels, Sjors and Rijs, Anouk M.}, title = {Do Xylylenes Isomerize in Pyrolysis?}, series = {ChemPhysChem}, volume = {21}, journal = {ChemPhysChem}, number = {14}, doi = {10.1002/cphc.202000317}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-218316}, pages = {1515 -- 1518}, year = {2020}, abstract = {We report infrared spectra of xylylene isomers in the gas phase, using free electron laser (FEL) radiation. All xylylenes were generated by flash pyrolysis. The IR spectra were obtained by monitoring the ion dip signal, using a IR/UV double resonance scheme. A gas phase IR spectrum of para-xylylene  was recorded, whereas ortho- and meta-xylylene were found to partially rearrange to benzocyclobutene and styrene. Computations of the UV oscillator strength  for all molecules were carried out and provde an explanation for the observation of the isomerization products.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Herterich2014, author = {Herterich, J{\"o}rg}, title = {Pikosekunden-zeitaufgel{\"o}ste Photoionisation: 2-Methylallyl-Radikal und Pyracen}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-105829}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Die vorliegende Dissertation untersucht f{\"u}nf unterschiedliche Molek{\"u}le hinsichtlich ihrer Geometrien im Grund- und angeregten Zustand sowie deren Dynamik nach elektronischer Anregung. Der Fokus liegt dabei unter anderem auf Pi-konjugierten Systemen, die {\"u}ber eine zus{\"a}tzliche aliphatische Einheit verbr{\"u}ckt (Paracyclophan- Derivate) oder erweitert (Pyracen) sind. Die Paracyclophan-Derivate sind ein ideales Modellsystem um Einsicht in Pi-Pi-Wechselwirkungen zu erlangen. Ein weiterer Schwerpunkt dieser Arbeit beschreibt die Dynamik des resonanzstabilisierten 2-Methylallyl-Radikals. Die Forschung an solchen kleinen Kohlenwasserstoff-Radikalen ist wichtig, da auf deren Grundlage Modelle entwickelt werden k{\"o}nnen, die zum Beispiel helfen, den Verbrennungsprozess aufzukl{\"a}ren. Aufgrund ihrer Instabilit{\"a}t sind solche kleinen Kohlenwasserstoff-Radikale nicht einfach zu handhaben und das spektroskopische Vermessen stellt immer eine Herausforderung dar.}, subject = {Photoionisation}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Herok2024, author = {Herok, Christoph}, title = {Quantum Chemical Exploration of Potential Energy Surfaces: Reaction Cycles and Luminescence Phenomena}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-35218}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-352185}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2024}, abstract = {This work aims at elucidating chemical processes involving homogeneous catalysis and photo-physical relaxation of excited molecules in the solid state. Furthermore, compounds with supposedly small singlet-triplet gaps and therefore biradicaloid character are investigated with respect to their electro-chemical behavior. The work on hydroboration catalysis via a reduced 9,10-diboraanthracene (DBA) was preformed in collaboration with the Wagner group in Frankfurt, more specifically Dr. Sven Prey, who performed all laboratory experiments. The investigation of delayed luminescence properties in arylboronic esters in their solid state was conducted in collaboration with the Marder group in W{\"u}rzburg. The author of this work took part in the synthesis of the investigated compounds while being supervised by Dr. Zhu Wu. The final project was a collaboration with the group of Anukul Jana from Hyderabad, India who provided the experimental data.}, subject = {Simulation}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Hemberger2011, author = {Hemberger, Patrick}, title = {Photoionisationsstudien an Radikalen und Carbenen mit VUV-Synchrotronstrahlung}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-56980}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2011}, abstract = {Die vorliegende Dissertation untersucht reaktive Intermediaten, speziell Radikale und Carbene und deren Verhalten bei Photoionisation mit VUV-Synchrotronstrahlung. Diese instabilen Verbindungen wurden durch Pyrolyse von teils selbstsynthetisierter Vorl{\"a}ufern in einem kontinuierlichen Molekularstrahl erzeugt und mittels der TPEPICO-Spektroskopie untersucht. Die wichtigsten Ergebnisse dieser Arbeit werden im Anschluss hervorgehoben. Drei Radikale der Zusammensetzung C9H7, Indenyl, 1- und 3-Phenylpropargyl wurden aus ihren bromierten Vorl{\"a}ufern synthetisiert und ihre Ionisierungsenergien bestimmt. Die Frage ob es m{\"o}glich ist alle drei Radikale hinsichtlich ihrer IE zu unterscheiden und dadurch eine Identifikation in einer Flamme m{\"o}glich wird, konnte beantwortet werden. Indenyl und 3-Phenylpropargyl besitzen Ionisierungsenergien von 7.53 und 7.20 eV, was eine Erkennung in Flammen prinzipiell m{\"o}glich macht. F{\"u}r 1-Phenylpropargyl wurde eine IEad von 7.4 eV gemessen, was eine selektive Identifikation erschwert. Die Messwerte wurden durch quantenchemischen Rechnungen {\"u}berpr{\"u}ft und sind mit diesen in guter {\"U}bereinstimmung. Die Photoionisation von Cyclopropenyliden (IEad = 9.17 ± 0.015 eV) wurde untersucht,wobei eine niederenergetische Bande dem Propargylen (IEad = 9.02 ± 0.02 eV), dem HCCCH Isomer der Zusammensetzung C3H2, zugeordnet werden konnte. Die Schwingungsstruktur des Spektrums konnte erfolgreich simuliert und dadurch die Geometrie des Kations ermittelt werden. Als Nebenprodukt im Molekularstrahl wurde Chlorcyclopropenyliden (IEad = 9.17 ± 0.02 eV) durch seine Schwingungsprogression identifiziert. Die Analyse der dissoziativen Photoionisation gestaltet sich als schwierig, da sowohl c-C3H2 als auch c-C3HCl im relevanten Energiebereich fragmentieren k{\"o}nnen und die Anwesenheit von HCl die Auswertung ebenfalls erschwert. Ein L{\"o}sungsvorschlag f{\"u}r dieses Problem wurde ebenfalls aufgezeigt. Der Einfluss von Substitutionen auf die IE wurde am Beispiel des Propargylradikals und seiner zwei bromierten Analoga erforscht. Dabei wurde eine Rotverschiebung (IEad(C3H3) = 8.71 ± 0.02 eV / IEad(BrCCCH2) = 8.16 ± 0.02 eV / IEad(BrHCCCH) = 8.34 ± 0.02 eV) gemessen. Diese ist auf den elektronenspendenden Charakter des Broms begr{\"u}ndet. Beide Brompropargylradikale lassen sich anhand ihrer IE unterscheiden. Die Schwelle zur dissoziativen Photoionisation von C3H2Br zu C3H2 wurde mit 10.1 eV ermittelt, wobei verschiedene Kan{\"a}le f{\"u}r diese Reaktion in Frage kommen. Schwingungsaktivit{\"a}t konnte im TPE-Spektrum des Propargylradikals ebenfalls verzeichnet und die v3 +-Mode mit 1950 cm-1 ermittelt werden. Als letztes Projekt stand die Photoionisation des t-Butyl im Fokus, da teils widerspr{\"u}chliche Messwerte f{\"u}r die IEad in der Literatur publiziert sind. Es konnte ein Wert von 6.75 eV ± 0.03 eV gemessen werden. Die Schwierigkeit bei diesem Experiment ist die Geometrie{\"a}nderung w{\"a}hrend der Ionisierung, da das Radikal pyramidal und das Kation eine planare Struktur im C-Ger{\"u}st besitzt. Die Grenzen der angewendeten Methoden wurden an diesem Beispiel deutlich gemacht. Zur vollst{\"a}ndigen Charakterisierung wurden auch die Vorl{\"a}ufer genau analysiert, da diese durch dissoziative Photoionisation (DPI) Fragmentionen bilden, welche die gleiche Masse besitzen wie die zu untersuchenden Radikale und Carbene. Aus diesen Ergebnissen konnten Bindungsenergien berechnet werden. Von allen untersuchten reaktiven Intermediaten konnten die Ionisierungsenergien mit einer Genauigkeit von ± 20 meV ermittelt werden. Es wurde gezeigt, dass sogar Isomere mit gleicher Molek{\"u}lmasse unterscheidbar sind. Diese Daten lassen sich verwenden um reaktive Zwischenprodukte in Flammen zu identifizieren. Die Identifizierung erm{\"o}glicht es dann geeignete Modelle f{\"u}r Verbrennungsprozesse zu konstruieren oder vorhandene zu verbessern. Diese k{\"o}nnten wiederum helfen die Ruß- und PAK-Bildung besser zu verstehen. Die Ziele dieser Dissertation konnten somit erreicht werden. Massenspektren, welche in Flammen durch VUV-Synchrotronstrahlung aufgenommen wurden, beherbergen eine große F{\"u}lle an gr{\"o}ßeren reaktiven Intermediaten wie beispielsweise das Fluorenyl oder das Biphenylmethylradikal. Deren Ionisation ist bislang nur sehr vage erforscht und w{\"a}re deshalb ein interessantes Projekt um diese Arbeit fortzuf{\"u}hren.}, subject = {Photoionisation}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Heilos2019, author = {Heilos, Anna}, title = {Mechanistic Insights into the Inhibition of Cathepsin B and Rhodesain with Low-Molecular Inhibitors}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-17822}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-178228}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Cysteine proteases play a crucial role in medical chemistry concerning various fields reaching from more common ailments like cancer and hepatitis to less noted tropical diseases, namely the so-called African Sleeping Sickness (Human Arfican Trypanosomiasis). Detailed knowledge about the catalytic function of these systems is highly desirable for drug research in the respective areas. In this work, the inhibition mechanisms of the two cysteine proteases cathepsin B and rhodesain with respectively one low-molecular inhibitor class were investigated in detail, using computational methods. In order to sufficiently describe macromolecular systems, molecular mechanics based methods (MM) and quantum mechanical based method (QM), as well as hybrid methods (QM/MM) combining those two approaches, were applied. For Cathespin B, carbamate-based molecules were investigated as potential inhibitors for the cysteine protease. The results indicate, that water-bridged proton-transfer reactions play a crucial role for the inhibition. The energetically most favoured pathway (according to the calculations) includes an elimination reaction following an E1cB mechanism with a subsequent carbamylation of the active site amino acid cysteine. Nitroalkene derivatives were investigated as inhibitors for rhodesain. The investigation of structurally similar inhibitors showed, that even small steric differences can crucially influence the inhibition potential of the components. Furthermore, the impact of a fluorination of the nitroalkene inhibitors on the inhibition mechanism was investigated. According to experimental data measured from the working group of professor Schirmeister in Mainz, fluorinated nitroalkenes show - in contrast to the unfluorinated compounds - a time dependent inhibition efficiency. The calculations of the systems indicate, that the fluorination impacts the non-covalent interactions of the inhibitors with the enzymatic environment of the enzyme which results in a different inhibition behaviour.}, subject = {Cysteinproteasen}, language = {en} }