Destabilization of the Oxygen Evolving Complex of Photosystem II by Al3+

The inhibitory effect of Al³⁺ on photosynthetic electron transport was investigated in isolated thylakoid membranes of spinach. A combination of oxygen evolution, chlorophyll fluorescence induction (FI) and decay and thermoluminescence measurements have been used to characterize photosystem II (PSII) electron transport in the presence of this toxic metal cation. Our results show that below 3 mm , Al³⁺ already caused a destabilization of the Mn₄O₅Ca cluster of the oxygen evolving complex (OEC). At these concentrations, an increase in the relative amplitude of the first phase (OJ) of FI curve and retardation of the fluorescence decay kinetics following excitation with a single turnover flash were also observed. A transmembrane structural modification of PSII polypeptides due to the interaction of Al³⁺ at the OEC is proposed to retard electron transfer between the quinones Q_A and Q_B. Above 3 mm , Al³⁺ strongly retarded fluorescence induction and significantly reduced F_v/F_m together with the maximal amplitude of chlorophyll fluorescence induced by a single turnover flash. This chlorophyll fluorescence quenching was attributed to the formation of P680⁺ due to inhibition of electron transfer between tyrosine 161 of D1 subunit and P680.     

A Benzodithiophene‐Based Fluorescence Probe for Rapid Detection of Fluoride Ion

A novel and simple fluorescence probe was synthesized from benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene (BDT) and trimethylsilylethyne via Sonogashira reaction, and showed highly selective and sensitive fluorescence decreasing response towards F^?. The probe molecule turned to a weakly fluorescent terminal alkyne moiety because its trimethylsilyl (TMS) group was cleaved by fluoride, which was proved by ¹H NMR titration. Whereas no distinct fluorescent changes were observed with the addition of other anions, such as Cl^?, Br^?, I^?, AcO^? and H₂PO₄^?. Upon the addition of F^?, the maximum fluorescence emission wavelength shifted from 460 nm to 450 nm with a decrease of fluorescence intensity by 40% within 20 s. Moreover, the detection limit towards F^? was calculated to be as low as 73.5 nmol/L.     

Aroyleneimidazophenazine: A Sensitive Probe for Detecting CN− Anion and its Solvatochromism Effect

A novel electron‐deficient heteroacene 15H‐pyrazino[2″,3″:3′,4′]pyrrolo[1′,2′:1,2]imidazo[4,5‐b]phenazin‐15‐one ( 1 ) has been successfully synthesized and characterized. Compound 1 can selectively recognize CN^? and F^? over other 10 anions including BF₄^?, PF₆^?, Cl^?, SO₄^2?, NO₃^?, I^?, H₂PO₄^?, ClO₄^?, Ac^?, and Br^? in CHCl₃/DMF mixed solvents with dual responses, including absorption signals and fluorescent “turn‐off” effects. CN^? and F^? can be distinguished by the completely quenched fluorescence (for CN^?) and partially reduced fluorescence (for F^?). Especially, compound 1 exhibits higher sensitivity to CN^? than F^? with the response concentration as low as 5.0 × 10^?6 mol/L. Moreover, compound 1 shows very interesting solvatochromism effect, and the CHCl₃ solution of compound 1 is sensitive to triethylamine, and its emission could change from green to red upon the addition of triethylamine, which is attributed to the n–π intermolecular charge‐transfer interaction.     

Preparation and photochemistry of macromolecular bound ruthenium(II) complexes in aqueous solutions

Ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes with macromolecular ligands poly(methylolacrylamide-co-vinylpyridine) and poly (acrylamide-co-vinylpyridine) have been synthesized. The macromolecular ruthenium (II) complexes which are soluble in water have been characterized and their absorption and emission properties have been studied in aqueous solution. Photolysis of the complex in aqueous solution leads to photoaquation reactions with release of coordinated pyridines of the polymer. In the case of monomeric complex, cis-[Ru(bpy)₂(py)₂]Cl₂, photolysis in water in presence of Cl^? ions produces only the substitution of the pyridine by water whereas in the polymeric complexes, [Ru(bpy)₂(MAAM-co-VP)₂]Cl₂ photolysis in the presence of chloride produces [Ru(bpy)₂(MAAM-co-VP)Cl]Cl and [Ru(bpy)₂(AM-co-VP)Cl]Cl, respectively. Quantum yields for the photosubstitution reactions have been determined and mechanistic details are outlined.     

Reactions of (Nonafluorocyclohexen-1-yl)xenon(II) Hexafluoroarsenate with Halide Anions

The products of the reaction between the electrophilic alkenylxenonium cation [1-Xe⁺–C₆F₉] and the halide anions I^?, Br^?, Cl^? and F^? depend on the hardness of the halide anion. With the soft halides I^? and Br^? Xe(II) is formally displaced by halogen as well in basic MeCN as in superacidic (AHF¹), whereas with hard fluoride and chloride no reaction takes place in AHF. In MeCN F^? initiates the formation of alkenyl radicals, which abstract hydrogen from the solvent, whereas Cl^? exhibits borderline character: RH and RCl formation. Possible reaction paths are discussed. The reactivity of the arylxenonium cation [C₆F₅Xe]⁺ in AHF toward halide ions is reported and the relative electrophilicity of the cations [C₆F₅Xe]⁺ and [1-Xe⁺–C₆F₉] is determined by the competitive reaction with Cl^?. In addition the synthesis of cyclohexene 1-CF₃–C₆F₉ from C₆F₅CF₃ and XeF₂ is performed and its electrophilicity is compared with that of the aromatic compound C₆F₅CF₃.     

Reactions of the fluorobromocarbene radical studied by laser-induced fluorescence

CFBr radicals produced by the reaction of atomic oxygen with F₂CCFBr were monitored in a discharge flow system by fluorescence excited at 424 nm. The rate coefficients for reactions of the CFBr radicals were measured between 298 and 358 K, and the following values were obtained in units of cm³/molec·s: O₂ < 2 × 10^?16 at 353 K; NO < 10^?14 at 298 K; F₂CCFBr < 10^?15 at 298 K; Cl₂ (1.9 ± 0.6) × 10^?12 exp(?762 ± 92/T) Br₂ (1.4 ± 0.3) × 10^?12 exp(?533 ± 62/T).     

DETERMINATION OF THE BINDING CONSTANT OF H14 CO−3 TO THE PHOTOSYSTEM II COMPLEX IN MAIZE CHLOROPLASTS: EFFECTS OF INHIBITORS AND LIGHT

The binding (dissociation) constant for HCO^?₃ to the photosystem II complex in maize chloroplasts is approximately 80 μM. One HCO^?₃ binds per 500–600 chlorophyll molecules. In the dark, formate is a competitive inhibitor of HCO^?₃ binding, while 3-(3′,4′-dichlorophenyl)-1, 1-dimethylurea (DCMU) inhibits HCO^?₃ binding non-competitively. Light decreases HCO^?₃ binding in the presence of formate. Light increases the binding of HCO^?₃ in the presence of DCMU. The high binding constant for HCO, discriminates strongly among the various hypotheses attempting to explain the “bicarbonate-effect” on photosystem II. The proposal by Stemler and Jursinic (Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 221, 227–237 1983), that HCO^?₃ is one of a class of monovalent anionic inhibitors of photosystem II, is favored. These anions compete for a specific binding site on the photosystem II complex.     

Synthesis and Photocatalytic Activity of Poly(triazine imide)

Poly(triazine imide) was synthesized with incorporation of Li⁺ and Cl^? ions (PTI/Li⁺Cl^?) to form a carbon nitride derivative. The synthesis of this material by the temperature‐induced condensation of dicyandiamide was examined both in a eutectic mixture of LiCl–KCl and without KCl. On the basis of X‐ray diffraction measurements of the synthesized materials, we suggest that a stoichiometric amount of LiCl is necessary to obtain the PTI/Li⁺Cl^? phase without requiring the presence of KCl at 873 K. PTI/Li⁺Cl^? with modification by either Pt or CoO_x as cocatalyst photocatalytically produced H₂ or O₂, respectively, from water. The production of H₂ or O₂ from water indicates that the valence and conduction bands of PTI/Li⁺Cl^? were properly located to achieve overall water splitting. The treatment of PTI/Li⁺Cl^? with [Pt(NH₃)₄]²⁺ cations enabled the deposition of Pt through ion exchange, demonstrating photocatalytic activity for H₂ evolution, while treatment with [PtCl₆]^2? anions resulted in no Pt deposition. This was most likely because of the preferential exchange between Li⁺ ions and [Pt(NH₃)₄]²⁺ cations.     

Basicity of bisperhalophenyl aurates toward closed-shell metal ions: metallophilicity and additional interactions

The interaction of bisperhalophenyl aurates [AuR₂]^? (R?=?C₆F₅, C₆F₃Cl₂, and C₆Cl₅) with the closed-shell Ag⁺, Cu⁺, and Tl⁺ ions has been studied theoretically and compared with the experimentally known X-ray diffraction crystal structures. Initially, the aurates have been fully optimized at MP2 level of theory in a D _2h symmetry. The analysis of the basicity of the three aurates [AuR₂]^? (R?=?C₆F₅, C₆F₃Cl₂ and C₆Cl₅) against Ag⁺ ions in a C _2v symmetry has been calculated in point-by-point bsse-corrected interaction energy analysis at HF and MP2 levels of theory. Taking into account the experimental observation of additional interactions between the heterometals and C _ipso atoms at the perhalophenyl rings or halogen atoms at the ortho position of the perhalophenyl rings, dinuclear models of the type [AuR₂]^?···Ag⁺ (R?=?C₆Cl₅, and C₆F₅); [AuR₂]^?···Cu⁺ (R?=?C₆F₅, and C₆Cl₅) and [AuR₂]^?···Tl⁺ (R?=?C₆F₅, and C₆Cl₅) with a C _2v , C ₂ , and C _s symmetries have been optimized at DFT-B3LYP level. The interaction energies have been computed through bsse-corrected single point HF and MP2 calculations. The energy stabilization provided and the heterometal preference have been analyzed and compared with the experimental results.     

Acclimation Response of Green Microalgae Chlorella Sorokiniana to 2,3′,4,4′,6-Pentachlorobiphenyl

The effect of the toxicant 2,3′,4,4′,6-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB-119) on the growth, chlorophyll content, and PSII activity of C. sorokiniana cells was investigated. A strong negative effect of the toxicant was observed at PCB concentration of 0.05 μg mL⁻¹, when culture growth ceased, chlorophyll strongly bleached, and cell death occurred. The use of original highly sensitive fluorimeter to measure three types of high-resolution chlorophyll fluorescence kinetics allowed us to detect an initial dramatic decrease in the activity of primary photosynthetic reactions, followed by their almost complete recovery at the end of the incubation period when most cells were dead. The study of the distribution of individual cells in culture in terms of F_v/F_m parameter, which reflects the quantum yield of PSII photochemistry, revealed the existence of 2–3% of cells retaining high F_v/F_m (>0.7) in the presence of the toxicant. The treated cultures were able to resume growth after prolonged incubation in fresh medium. The high sensitivity fluorescence methods used made it possible to identify stress-resistant cells which maintain high photosynthetic activity in the presence of lethal doses of toxic substances; these cells provide recovery of the population after stress.     

Homogeneous radical polymerization of 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate mediated by cyclometalated cationic Ruthenium(II) complexes with PF6− and Cl− in protic media

Cationic coordinatively saturated complexes of ruthenium(II), [Ru(o‐C₆H₄‐2‐py)(phen)(MeCN)₂]⁺, bearing different counterions of PF₆^? and Cl^? have been used in the radical polymerization of 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate in protic media and acetone under homogeneous conditions. Exchange of PF₆^? by Cl^? increases the solubility of the complex in water. Both complexes led to the fast polymerization under mild conditions, but control was achieved only in methanol and acetone and was better for the complex with Cl^?. The polymerization accelerated in aqueous media and proceeded to a high conversion even with a monomer/catalyst = 2000/1, but without control. Polymerization mediated by complex bearing Cl^? was slower in protic solvents but faster in acetone and always resulted in lower molecular weight polymers. Thus, the nature of the anion strongly affected the catalytic activity of the complexes and may serve as way of fine‐tuning the catalytic properties. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

CHARACTERIZATION OF A CALCIUM-REQUIRING PHASE DURING PHYTOCHROME-MEDIATED FERN-SPORE GERMINATION OF Dryopteris paleacea Sw.*

Abstract— For phytochrome-mediated fern-spore germination in Dryopteris paleacea Sw., initiated by a saturating red light (R) irradiation 20 h after imbibition, an almost absolute requirement for extracellular Ca²+ is found. To investigate the kinetics of this Ca²+ requirement spores were sown on a Ca²+-free medium (Ca²+ < 10^?8M) and Ca²+ was raised to 1 mM at defined periods after R. Alternatively, spores were sown on a Ca²+-containing medium (1 mM) and transferred to a Ca²+-free medium. A clearly defined period for the Ca²+ requirement is found between 30 and 50 h after R, while Ca²+ had to be present in the medium for at least 9 h to obtain half-maximal germination. However, since the kinetics of deprivation and delayed addition of Ca²+ do not provide significantly different results, only a relative short presentation time for extracellular Ca²+ has to be expected at the level of a single cell. Ca²+ sensitivity is determined by the timing of the R irradiation, i.e. the timing of Pfr formation, which has been concluded from the observation that the variation of the imbibition time does not affect the kinetics of Ca²+ requirement and that the temporal application of polyethylene glycol (PEG), which is assumed to interrupt Pfr action, shifts the Ca²+ requirement to delayed intervals. These observations, as well as the fact that the requirement of Ca²+ has been observed for a limited period are interpreted as indirect evidence that Ca²+ action plays the role of a specific link in the phytochrome-mediated signal-transduction chain. The “Ca²+ kinetics” are compared with the kinetics of escape from reversibility by far-red (FR) light and with kinetics of basic cell physiological processes occurring during germination. “Escape kinetics”, indicating “coupling” of Pfr to subsequent dark reactions, are observed at significant earlier intervals, and a gap of about 15 h is found for both the action of Pfr and of Ca²+. Thus, the direct interaction of Pfr with external Ca²+ as a first transduction step can be excluded experimentally. The kinetics of chlorophyll formation are found to be only slightly delayed, whereas the kinetics of mitosis are shifted by approximately 30 h. Almost the same slope is obtained for all kinetics investigated so far and one reaction spans a period of approximately 35 h. Obviously, variability found in the spore population is due to the coupling of Pfr whereas subsequent reactions proceed with almost identical velocity.     

A novel colorimetric and fluorometric anion sensor based on BODIPY-calix[4]pyrrole conjugate

A novel fluorescent anion sensor 1 based on boradiazaindacenes (BODIPY) derivative was synthesized and its absorption and fluorescence properties were investigated in various solvents. 1 exhibited a red shift of absorption spectrum and fluorescence quenching in varying degree in the presence of F^?, AcO^?, H₂PO₄ ^? and Cl^? due to multiple hydrogen bonding interactions between these anions and calix[4]pyrrole receptor. As an anion sensor in the visible region, 1 displayed the similar selectivity and sensitivity toward anions compared to the parent calix[4]pyrrole. However, 1 can be used as an effective dual responsive optical sensor for F^? via chromogenical and fluorogenical signals.     

Kinetics and Mechanism Study of Chemical Treatment of Methylene Green by Urea

The kinetics and mechanism studies, for the reduction of methylene green (MG) by urea, in acidic and alkali media, were studied at λ_max=652.8 nm by monitoring the depletion in MG concentration. The reaction was carried out by UV radiation, with variable dye concentration, reducing agent (urea), acid and base under different additive ions that are very common in dye waste water. The reduction followed pseudo first‐order kinetics with respect to different anions, cations, dye, reductant and OH^? ion concentrations. It was found that most of the cations tested showed the inhibitory effect on dye decoloration, due to the formation of insoluble precipitate and followed the order K⁺>Na⁺>Al³⁺>Ca²⁺≈Mg²⁺. Tested anions showed that the dye decoloration was significantly accelerated and followed the order Cl^?>Br^?>I^?>NO^?₃>SO^2?₄. A mechanistic model involving generation of a complex of dye with ions was proposed.     

The Hofmeister Anion Effect on Ionophore‐based Ion‐selective Nanospheres Containing Solvatochromic Dyes

Recently reported ionophore‐based ion‐selective nanospheres contained pH‐independent and positively charged solvatochromic dyes. Here, we evaluate systematically the effect of anions to the fluorescence response of the nanospheres. The anion interference was found significant for anion concentrations above 10 mM. The sensor responses in the presence of various anion background was studied. While target ion (K⁺) causes the fluorescence of the nanospheres to decrease, increasing anion background also leads to lower fluorescence intensity. Lipophilic anions such as ClO₄^?, SCN^?, and I^? exhibited much more interference than hydrophilic anions (e. g., NO₃^?, Cl^?, F^?, SO₄^2?). The trend of the anion interference followed the Hofmeister series. A theoretical model was also demonstrated based on anion adsorption on the surface of the nanospheres.     

EFFECTS OF SHORT PULSES OF BLUE LIGHT ON THE ALKALINIZATION ASSOCIATED WITH THE UPTAKE OF NO3− AND CL− BY THE GREEN ALGA MONORAPHIDIUM BRAUNII AND RELATED ACTION SPECTRA

In Monoraphidium braunii, uptake of NO₃^?, NO₂^? and Cl^? is associated with proton transport and triggered by blue light (BL). Only 10 s after cells able to reduce NO₃^? to NH₄⁺ were irradiated with continuous, low-fluence BL in the presence of NO₃^?, an alkalinization of the medium began and only became interrupted by switching off the BL with a 60–90 s time lag. With 30 s BL pulses, the NO₃^?-dependent alkalinization lasted 3–5 min until it stopped. When the cells were exposed to continuous BL in the presence of Cl^?, the alkalinization also started within 10 s but lasted only 3 min. After that, the pH remained constant and decreased when the BL was switched off. With 30 s BL pulses, the Cl^?-dependent alkalinization lasted 3 min and then decreased to its initial value. The NO₃^?-dependent alkalinization shown by cells unable to reduce NO₃^? to NH₄⁺ was similar to that observed in the presence of Cl^?. These alkalinization rates fit the Bunsen-Roscoe reciprocity law. With 2 s pulses of high-fluence BL, the delay time of the NO₃ - or Cl^?-dependent alkalinizations was only 2 s, one of the fastest BL responses reported so far. The action spectra for Cl^? and NO₃^? uptakes proved to be very similar and matched the absorption spectra of flavins, including the 267 nm peak.     

Metal‐Cation Recognition in Water by a Tetrapyrazinoporphyrazine‐Based Tweezer Receptor

A series of zinc azaphthalocyanines with two azacrowns in a rigid tweezer arrangement were prepared and the fluorescence sensing properties were investigated. The size‐driven recognition of alkali and alkaline earth metal cations was significantly enhanced by the close cooperation of the two azacrown units, in which both donor nitrogen atoms need to be involved in analyte binding to switch the sensor on. The mono‐ or biphasic character of the binding isotherms, together with the binding stoichiometry and magnitude of association constants (K_A), indicated specific complexation of particular analytes. Water solvation was shown to play an important role and resulted in a strong quenching of sensor fluorescence in the ON state. The lead compound was embedded into silica nanoparticles and advantageous sensing properties towards K⁺ were demonstrated in water (λ_F=671 nm, apparent K_A=82 m ^?1, increase of 17×), even in the presence of (supra)physiological concentrations of Na⁺ and Ca²⁺.     

Reactive polythiophenes with zincke salt structure: Synthesis,polymer reactions,and chemical properties

Polythiophenes with reactive Zincke salt structure, such as PThThPy⁺DNP(Cl^?)Th , were synthesized by the oxidation polymerization of 3′‐(4‐N‐(2,4‐dinitrophenyl)pyridinium chloride)‐2,2′:5′,2″‐terthiophene ( ThThPy⁺DNP(Cl^?)Th ) with iron(III) chloride or copper(II) trifluoromethanesulfonate. The reaction of PThThPy⁺DNP(Cl^?)Th with R‐NH₂ (R = n‐hexyl (Hex) and phenyl (Ph)) substituted the 2,4‐dinitrophenyl group into the R group with the elimination of 2,4‐dinitroaniline to yield PThThPy⁺R(Cl^?)Th . Similarly, model compounds, ThThPy⁺R(Cl^?)Th (R = Hex and Ph), were also synthesized. In contrast to the photoluminescent ThThPyTh and PThThPyTh , the compounds PThThPy⁺DNP(Cl^?)Th , PThThPy⁺R(Cl^?)Th , and ThThPy⁺R(Cl^?)Th showed no photoluminescence because their internal pyridinium rings acted as quenchers. Cyclic voltammetry measurements suggested that PThThPy⁺DNP(Cl^?)Th received an electrochemical reduction of the pyridinium and 2,4‐dinitrophenyl groups and oxidation of the polymer backbone. PThThPy⁺DNP(Cl^?)Th was electrically conductive (ρ = 2.0 × 10^?6 S cm^?1) in the non‐doped state. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Covalent Interaction of Ru(terpy)(tmephen)Cl+ with DNA: A Potential Ruthenium‐Based Anticancer Drug

The use of ruthenium complexes in antitumor therapy was launched two decades ago. In view of their low toxicity and good selectivity for solid tumor metastasis, ruthenium complexes have great potential as alternative drugs to cisplatin in cancer chemotherapy. A series of monochloro ruthenium complexes, Ru(terpy) (NN)Cl⁺ (NN, bidentate nitrogen ligand), containing different electron‐donating groups were prepared. The reactivity towards the formation of Ru‐DNA adduct were revealed by gel mobility shift assay. Their DNA binding sites of Ru(terpy)(tmephen)Cl⁺ were located predominantly at the purine residues i.e., guanine and adenine, by terminating DNA elongation in vitro using PCR and primer extension techniques. Surprisingly, the ability of Ru(terpy)(tmephen)Cl⁺ to inhibit cell growth was found to be approximately two times better than that of a known cross‐linking agent, Ru(bpy)₂Cl₂. Therefore, the increase in liability of the chloro ligand was demonstrated to improve the reactivity of these ruthenium complexes towards the covalent bond formation in Ru‐DNA adducts and result also in a significant inhibition of cell growth. Based on our results, these ruthenium complexes modified with electron‐rich groups provide new consideration in the tune of ruthenium‐based drugs in cancer chemotherapy.     

The Effect of Single-Atomic Ions on the Melting of Microscopic Ice Particles According to Molecular Dynamics Data

Molecular dynamics simulation of microscopic ice particles containing Ca²⁺, F^?, Cl^?, Na⁺, and Li⁺ ions has been performed in the temperature range of 20–200 K. For all the systems under consideration, phase and structural transformations accompanying their heating have been studied in detail, and the melting points have been determined. The main attention has been focused on the determination of the mechanisms of the effect of ions on the phase state of microcrystals.