1-oxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl 4-piperidinyl nicotinate

Description

You're asking about **1-oxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinyl nicotinate** (often shortened to **TEMPONE-nicotinate** or **TEMPON-nicotinate**).

This compound is a **nitroxide spin label**, a molecule that contains a nitrogen-centered free radical known as a nitroxide. This free radical is paramagnetic, meaning it has an unpaired electron that creates a strong magnetic field.

Here's why TEMPONE-nicotinate is important for research:

* **Spin Labeling:** It can be used to investigate molecular interactions and dynamics in biological systems. The nitroxide group in TEMPONE-nicotinate interacts with the environment surrounding it, providing information about its location, mobility, and interactions.

* **Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) Spectroscopy:** EPR spectroscopy is a technique that exploits the magnetic properties of unpaired electrons. By attaching TEMPONE-nicotinate to molecules of interest, researchers can use EPR to study:
* **Protein Structure and Dynamics:** TEMPONE-nicotinate can be used to study the structure and dynamics of proteins, including conformational changes, protein folding, and enzyme kinetics.
* **Membrane Properties:** TEMPONE-nicotinate can be used to study the properties of cell membranes, such as fluidity, phase transitions, and the movement of lipids and proteins within the membrane.
* **Drug Interactions:** TEMPONE-nicotinate can be used to study the interactions of drugs with biological systems, including their binding sites and mechanisms of action.

* **Other Applications:** Beyond EPR, TEMPONE-nicotinate can also be used in other research areas like:
* **Fluorescence Microscopy:** The nitroxide group can quench fluorescence, allowing for the study of biomolecule dynamics in cells.
* **Biomedical Imaging:** TEMPONE-nicotinate can be used for in vivo imaging in research.

**Key Benefits of TEMPONE-nicotinate:**

* **High Sensitivity:** Nitroxide radicals are highly sensitive to their environment, allowing for detailed analysis of molecular interactions.
* **Versatility:** TEMPONE-nicotinate can be chemically modified to target specific molecules or cellular compartments.
* **Non-invasive:** TEMPONE-nicotinate can be used to study biological systems without disrupting their natural function.

**In Summary:** TEMPONE-nicotinate is a valuable tool for researchers working in a variety of fields, including biochemistry, biophysics, and drug discovery. Its unique properties allow for the investigation of molecular interactions and dynamics at a very detailed level.

1-oxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl 4-piperidinyl nicotinate: structure given in first source [Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), National Library of Medicine, extracted Dec-2023]