Analogues of neuropeptide Y (NPY) containing small N-and C-terminal segments linked via flexible spacer arms were found to exhibit receptor binding affinity constants almost as high as NPY as well as post-and presynaptic NPY-agonistic activities. One of the most active analogues contains N-terminal NPY segment 14 linked via e-aminocaproic acid (Aca) to the C-terminal partially a-helical peptide amide segment 25-36. NPY 14Aca-25-36 is the first highly potent NPY agonist, which is of considerably reduced size in comparison to the native hormone. The analogues are accessible by solid-phase synthesis using Fmoc strategy.

Tetra-tert-butylphthalocyaninatonickel is synthesized from phthalic anhydride as well as from phthalodinitrile and nickel chloride, whereby a mixture of four different structural isomers are obtained; two of these isomers, with C2"and C,-symmetry are isolated for the first time by HPLC and medium pressure liquid chromatography (MPLC) and characterized.

Soluble (Tetraethylphthalocyaninato)iron(II) and -cobalt(II) CompoundsThe (tetraethylphtha1ocyaninato)iron and -cobalt compounds Et,PcFe (9), Et,PcCo (8), and Et4PcH2 (7) have been synthesized starting from 3,4-dibromoacetophenone (1) via the corresponding dinitrile 5 or isoindolenine 6, respectively. Et4PcFe (9) reacts with tBuNC, p-diisocyanobenzene (dib), and me4dib to form the bisaxially coordinated compound E t , p~F e ( t B u N c )~ (10) and the oligomers [Et,PcFe(dib)], (11) and [Et,PcFe- (me4dib)], (12).All of the synthesized compounds, except the oligomers with a chain length of more than 8 -14 units, are soluble in organic solvents such as chloroform or toluene. The new compounds were characterized by 'H-, 13C-NMR, I3C-CP/ NMR, UV/Vis, and IR spectra. In addition the redox properties of Et4PcCo (8) were studied by cyclic voltammetry and spectroelectrochemical methods. The MoRbauer spectra of the (phtha1ocyaninato)iron compounds 9, 11, and 12 demonstrate the bridged structure of [Et4PcFe(L)], (L = dib, me4dib) (11, 12). The powder conductivity of [Et,PcFe(dib)], (11) (oRT = S/cm) is ca. lo6 times higher than that of Et4PcFe (9) (oRT = 9.S/cm). After doping with iodine the oligomers 11 and 12 show an increase in conductivity of lo5 and lo4, respectively (oRT % lo-' S/cm for [Et4PcFe(dib)I,,,,],).

Two metabolites of P. leptostromijormis (phomopsins A and B) have been isolated as a crystalline mixture from a culture of the fungus on lupin seed. The mixture has been shown to be capable of inducing lupinosis in sheep and in young rats. Key steps in the isolation were the transfer of the phomopsins from crude aqueous solution to tetrahydrofuran and chromatography on macroreticular polystyrene resin. The bioassays used in monitoring fractions were based on inhibition of cell cultures and the mitosis-arresting effect of the metabolites on liver cells in vivo.

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