Stereochemical aspects of the metabolism ofL - andD -amino acids

Syntheses of stereospecifically labelled samples ofL- andD-amino acids and of enzyme inhibitors are reviewed, together with a discussion of the use of these compounds in elucidating the mechanism of action of enzymes involved in amino acid metabolism.     

Analysenverfahren nach Grote und Krekeler

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Wachstumsmechanismus der Kristalle von Glyein-L -Alanin-Copolymeren w?hrend der Polymerisation

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

The scaled one-electron Hamiltonian model for open-shelllcao-mo-scf calculations: further corrections to thesoeh energy

The wavefunction generated by the scaled one-electron Hamiltonian (soeh) model has been modified further by including all single excitations from the space of thesoeh function. A perturbation-variation ansatz has been invoked for obtaining the corresponding energy correction (ΔE ₂). [E(soeh)+ΔE ₂] is shown to reproduceE(Roothaan) very closely. It has been demonstrated that by making ΔE ₂ stationary with respect to change in μ results. The correctedsoeh [E(soeh)+ΔE ₂] is shown to be quite useful for the calculation of geometrical parameters of open-shell systems even though it lacks the ‘upper-boundedness’ exhibited byE(soeh).     

A study of Co/Mo/Al2O3 hydrodesulphurization catalysts and related model compounds byxps and x-ray absorption spectroscopy (xanes andexafs )

A detailed investigation of sulphided Co/Mo/Al₂O₃ catalysts, their oxide precursors and several model oxides and sulphides of cobalt and molybdenum has been carried out using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and x-ray absorption spectroscopy (xanes andexafs). Octahedrally coordinated Co(II) and Mo(IV) are shown to be present in a sulphidic environment on the surfaces of these catalysts. The surface species contain an excess of sulphur, probably involving disulphide linkages. The surface compositions of the catalysts examined conform to the general formula Co¹¹ Mo _2n ^IV (2n + 3)S ₂ ²⁻ (2n -2)S²⁻.     

Konduktometrische Bestimmung des Thalliumi -Ions mit Alkalipseudohalogeniden

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Improved synthesis of d,l-fluorocitric acid

We propose a decagram synthesis of commercially unavailable fluorocitric acid. The synthesis begins with benzyl fluoroacetate, which is converted to dibenzyl 2-fluoro-3-oxosuccinate, followed by condensation with malonic acid or its monobenzyl ester and subsequent hydrogenolysis.     

Rotational isomerism and barriers to internal rotation in 3-halopropenes byscf-mo methods

Electronic structures of 3 halopropenes have been investigated through semiempiricalscf-mo calculations using valence basis sets of atomic orbitals (ao) constructed from Slater type orbitals (sto). The electronic structures of stable conformers have been predicted and the corresponding calculated dipole moments show good agreement with experimental data. The considerable differences between the dipole moments of various conformers confirm the hindrance to internal rotation about the C−C bond, i.e., the existence of a definite potential barrier to rotation. The barrier heights hindering the internal rotation in each system are also estimated.     

Structural studies of amino acid complexes-Iexafs study of glutamic acid complex of copper

The ambiguity in the assignment of stereochemistry and co-ordination to Cu(II) complexes can be resolved by using x-ray absorption spectroscopic technique. The difficulty in the structural assignment of the Cu-glutamate complex is studied in detail. The Cu-acetylacetonate complex has also been studied as an example of square planar geometry. The Cu-glutamate complex is a distorted octahedral molecule.     

Hydrogen Bonding and Solvent Effects on Complexation of Alkali Metal Cations by Lower Rim Calix[4]arene Tetra(O-[N -acetyl-D -phenylglycine methyl ester]) Derivative

Complexation of alkali metal cations with 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-26,28,25,27-tetrakis(O-methyl-D-α-phenylglycylcarbonylmethoxy)calix[4]arene (L) was studied by means of spectrophotometric, conductometric and potentiometric titrations at 25 °C. The solvent effect on the binding ability of L was examined by using two solvents with different affinities for hydrogen bonding, viz. methanol and acetonitrile. Despite the presence of intramolecular NH···O=C hydrogen bonds in L, which need to be disrupted to allow metal ion binding, this calix[4]arene amino acid derivative was shown to be an efficient binder for smaller Li⁺ and Na⁺ cations in acetonitrile (lg K_LiL > 5, lg K_NaL = 7.66), moderately efficient for K⁺ (lg K_KL = 4.62), whereas larger Rb⁺ and Cs⁺ did not fit in its hydrophilic cavity. The complex stabilities in methanol were significantly lower (lg K_NaL = 4.45, lg K_KL = 2.48). That could be explained by different solvation of the cations and by competition between the cations and methanol molecules (via hydrogen bonds) for amide carbonyl oxygens. The influence of cation solvation on complex stability was most pronounced in the case of Li⁺ for which, contrary to the quite stable LiL⁺ complex in acetonitrile, no complexation was observed in methanol under the conditions used.     

Baker''s yeast: production of d- and l-3-hydroxy esters

Baker's yeast grown under oxygen limited conditions and used in the reduction of 3-oxo esters results in a shift of the stereoselectivity of the yeast towards -hydroxy esters as compared with ordinary baker's yeast. The highest degree of stereoselectivity was obtained with growing yeast or yeast harvested while growing. In contrast, the stereoselectivity was shifted towards -hydroxy esters when the oxo esters were added slowly to ordinary baker's yeast supplied with gluconolactone as co-substrate. The reduction rate with gluconolactone was increased by active aeration. Ethyl -(S)-3-hydroxybutanoate was afforded in>99% ee. Both enantiomers of ethyl 3-hydroxypentanoate, -(R) in 96% ee and -(S) in 93% ee, and of ethyl 4-chloro-3-hydroxybutanoate, -(S) in 98% ee and -(R) in 94% ee, were obtained. The results demonstrate that the stereoselectivity of baker's yeast can be controlled to a large extent without the use of inhibitors, heat treatment, etc.     

l-Proline: an efficient catalyst for the synthesis of new spirooxindoles

Abstract  

l-Proline was found to be a versatile organocatalyst for the synthesis of new spirooxindole derivatives in good yields under mild reaction conditions using 1-propanol as a solvent.     

Enzyme-less amperometric biosensor for l-ascorbate using poly-l-histidine-copper complex as an alternative biocatalyst

A poly- -histidine(PLH)-copper(II) complex can be used as an alternative biocatalyst in an O₂ detection-type amperometric enzyme-less -ascorbate (AsA) sensor. The PLH–Cu(II) membrane was simply prepared by entrapping the PLH in polyacrylamide gel and subsequent treatment of the gel with CuCl₂ solution. This enzyme-less biosensor can be used over a relatively wide pH region from 4 to 11 and enables precise determination of AsA (RSD less than 3%, n=10) at pH 7.0. The fundamental performance characteristics (sensitivity, response time, and linear range) of this PLH–Cu(II)-based sensor is comparable to those of a native ascorbate oxidase-based sensor. Unfortunately, the selectivity is inherently rather low and, as a result, the response was degraded in the presence of higher concentrations (more than mM order) of quinones. However, reducing sugars caused no interference and the sensor could be used to detect AsA in some fruits and drinks. This enzyme-less sensor has excellent stability for at least 3 months of repeated analysis (more than 300 samples) without loss of ordinal activity.     

Optimization of l -(+)-lactic acid production using pelletized filamentous Rhizopus oryzae NRRL 395

Lactic acid is used as a food additive for flavor and preservation and a precursor in the development of poly-lactic acid, a product used to make biodegradable plastics and textiles. Rhizopus oryzae NRRL 395 is known to be a strain that produces optically pure l-(+)-lactic acid. The morphology of Rhizopus cultures is complex, forming filamentous, clumps, and pellet mycelia. Different morphology growth has significant effects on lactic acid production. In bioreactors, the filamentous or clump mycelia increase the viscosity of the medium, wrap around impellers, and block the nutrient transportation, leading to a decrease in production efficiency and bioreactor performance. Growing fungi in pellet form can significantly improve these problems. In this study, factors that affect lactic acid production in pelletized flask cultures using R. oryzae NRRL 395 were investigated in detail. Completely randomized designs were used to determine the influence of culture temperature, time, concentration of glucose, and inoculum size. Lactic acid fermentation using clump and pellet morphologies were performed in a 5 L fermentor at the optimal values obtained from flask culture. Finally, fed-batch culture was used to enhance the lactate concentration in broth. The final lactate concentration of fed-batch culture reached 92 g/L. The data presented in the article can provide useful information on optimizing lactic acid production using alternative source materials.     

Synthesis of methyl-α-d-glucopyranoside-based azacrown ethers and their application in enantioselective reactions

New chiral monoaza-15-crown-5 compounds anellated to methyl-4,6-O-(1-naphthyl)methylene-α-d-glucopyranoside (2a–2b), to methyl-4,6-O-isopropylidene-α-d-glucopyranoside (3a–3b) and to methyl-α-d-glucopyranoside (4a–4b) have been synthesized. Several representatives of these crown ethers showed significant asymmetric induction as chiral phase transfer catalysts, among them 2a proved to be the most efficient one inducing 90% ee in the Michael addition of 2-nitropropane to chalcone, 48% ee in the Darzens condensation of phenacyl-chloride with benzaldehyde and 89% ee in the epoxidation of chalcone with tert-butyl hydroperoxide. The catalytic results were compared with those obtained earlier with macrocycles 1a–1b incorporating a 4,6-O- benzylidene protecting moiety. It occurred that the enantioselectivity is influenced to a great extent by the substituents on the C(4) and C(6) atoms of the monosaccharide. Lower enantioselectivities were obtained in the reactions of the chalcone analogues in the presence of catalyst 2a than in the case of the proper chalcone.     

Study on polymeric micelles of poly(γ-benzyl l-glutamate)-graft-poly(ethylene glycol) copolymer and its mixtures with poly(γ-benzyl l-glutamate) homopolymer in ethanol

Poly(γ-benzyl l-glutamate)-graft-poly(ethylene glycol) (PBLG-graft-PEG) copolymer was synthesized by the ester exchange reaction of the PBLG homopolymer with PEG. NMR spectroscopy was used to confirm the composition of the PBLG-graft-PEG copolymer. FTIR spectroscopy was used to characterize the chain conformation of polypeptide segments in the PBLG-graft-PEG copolymer in solid state. The self-assembly behavior of PBLG-graft-PEG and its mixtures with PBLG in ethanol were investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and viscometry. Experimental results showed that the PBLG-graft-PEG copolymer can self-assemble to form polymeric micelles with a core-shell structure of a thin shuttle-like shape. The introduction of the PBLG homopolymer into the mixed system not only decreases the critical micelle concentration (CMC) but also changes the morphology of the micelles from their shuttle-like shape to cylindrical shape. The effects of test temperature on the critical micelle concentration of PBLG-graft-PEG were also studied.