Tetravalent Pseudomonas aeruginosa Adhesion Lectin LecA Inhibitor for Enhanced Biofilm Inhibition

A potent divalent ligand of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa adhesion lectin LecA was elaborated into a tetravalent version. A polyethylene glycol (PEG) spacer was introduced to link two divalent galactosides. Each of the two divalent ligands contained a rigid spacer with a central phenyl group that is bridged by the PEG moiety. The resulting tetravalent ligand was found to bind LecA in the nanomolar range involving all of its sugar (sub)ligands. Analytical ultracentrifugation studies clearly showed that the tetravalent ligand was capable of aggregation the LecA tetramers in contrast to the divalent ligands. The aggregator behavior was found to be of importance in P. aeruginosa biofilm formation inhibition. Despite the weaker affinity it was a considerably better biofilm inhibitor with half inhibitory values around the 28 micromolar range.     

Applications involving oxidation with KBrO3: I. Rapid potentiometric method for manganese alone or in steel and some ores

A rapid and reliable method is developed for the determination of manganese based on oxidation of the divalent cation with a known excess of KBrO₃ to the tetravalent state. The unreacted oxidant as well as Mn(IV) are then reduced with H₂SO₃ to Br^? and Mn(II). The resulting Br^? is titrated with Ag₂SO₄ using silver metal as the indicator electrode. K₂SO₄ is added to increase sensitivity and establish equilibrium in the vicinity of the end point. Fe(III) when present is also reduced with SO₂ to the divalent state, which can be reoxidized with Br₂. The equivalent amount of bromide is again titrated with Ag₂SO₄. The method provides for the simultaneous determination of Mn and Fe and finds application to some ores and steels.     

Single step conversion of UO2 and U3U8 into uranyl sulphate solution

A direct and simple method for the conversion of UO₂ and U₃O₈ powder into uranyl sulphate solution is described, eliminating many tedious chemical steps. UO₂ and U₃O₈ are not soluble in concentrated or dilute sulphuric acid, as uranium in lower oxidation state does not react with sulphuric acid. However, nitric acid oxidizes uranium from lower valency to higher valency state, i.e., tetravalent to the hexavalent uranyl ion in solution. Sufficient amount of sulphuric acid present in the reaction mixture makes it possible for uranyl ions, formed by oxidation of nitric acid, to react with sulphuric acid forming uranyl sulphate.     

Stability and bonding of disilyne and its isomers: A generalized valence bond-effective potential study

We have employed an effective potential and a single-zeta basis in SCF–MO computations to estimate the relative stability of linear disilyne HSiSiH and five isomeric structures defined in earlier all-electron ab initio SCF–MO computations. The effect of electron correlation has been estimated by generalized valence-bond (GVB ) computations for the five valence electron pairs of these structures. All our computations indicate that linear disilyne is the least stable structure and that H₂SiSi, the silicon analog of vinylidene carbene, is the most stable structure. In these structures silicon occurs in divalent and tetravalent states. The nature of silicon bonding in these valence states is illustrated by contour diagrams of the GVB orbital pairs.     

Breakage of λ-DNA by inorganic tin and organotin compounds as environmental pollutants

In proportion to the environmental pollution problems caused by organotin compounds, the genotoxicities of tin compounds in the environments have become of interest so as to estimate their safety in recent years. In this work, isolated λ-DNA (double-strand DNA) was incubated with inorganic tin(II) and tin(IV) and five organotin compounds [n-butyltin trichloride, di(n-butyltin) dichloride, methyltin trichloride, dimethyltin dichloride and trimethyltin chloride] in reaction systems both with and without hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) content. The tin compounds tested in this study did not induce DNA breakage in the absence of hydrogen peroxide. Divalent inorganic tin (SnCl₂) and tetravalent inorganic tin (SnCl₄) caused DNA breakage in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (10 mM), and the DNA damage activity of inorganic tin was much more potent in divalent inorganic tin (SnCl₂) than in tetravalent inorganic tin (SnCl₄). Divalent inorganic tin (SnCl₂) induced DNA breakage in a concentration-dependent fashion at concentrations greater than 0.1 mM of SnCl₂ in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (10 mM). DNA breakage was not caused by n-butyltin compounds and methyltin compounds either in the presence or in the absence of hydrogen peroxide.     

X-ray absorption spectroscopy of rare earth intermediate oxides

The M_IV–V and L_III absorption spectra (between 850 and 7500 eV) of intermediate rare earth oxides (Pr₇O₁₂ and Pr₉O₁₆) were studied. These oxides required careful preparation and handling in order to assure their composition.The spectra are characterized by multiplet features that are interpreted as having contributions from both trivalent and tetravalent sites. In the M_IV–V spectra the appearance of distinct multiplet lines and additional weaker features demonstrate clearly the increasing ratio of the tetravalent sites as the oxygen content increases from Pr₇O₁₂ to PrO₂. Similar behavior has been observed for the CeO_x and TbO_x systems. These observations show that in these oxides, the trivalent and tetravalent sites are inequivalent and that the evidence of valence transition is seen in the appearance of the complex spectral features originating from the tetravalent sites.     

Photometric determination of calcium with antipyrylazo III

Antipyrylazo III or diantipyrylazo (3,6-bis(4-antipyrylazo)-4,5-dihydroxy-2, 7-napthalenedisulfonic acid) forms at PH 12.7 a complex Ca₂HL with calcium. The logarithmic overall stability constant, 10g β₂₁₁, is 23.99 ±0.03 (0.1 MNaClO₄,25°C).The effective molar absorptivity is 21,500 ±100 l mole^-1 cm^-1 at 605 nm. The complex can be used for a selective photometric determination of calcium(0.25–3.50μmole) if tri-and tetravalent ions are removed by extraction with cupferron (into chloroform) and transition divalent ions are masked with sodium cyanide. Only strontium (0.5 μmole) and EDTA (0.1 μmole) interfere seriously.     

Determination of tri- and tetravalent ions with a divalent ion-selective electrode

A method of determining tri- and tetravalent ions with a divalent ion-selective electrode is proposed. The determination is based on displacement of the divalent metal ion from the Mg-EDTA or Zn-EDTA complex. The approximate ranges for direct measurement are 3·10^-3–3·10^-4M. Titrimetric methods are recommended for analysis of mixtures of metal ions. Optimal pH ranges and precision are discussed.     

Drastic changes of electronic structure and crystal chemistry upon oxidation of SnII2TiO4E2 into SnIV2TiO6: An ab initio study

From DFT based calculations establishing energy-volume equations of state and electron localization mapping, the electronic structure and crystal chemistry changes from Sn₂TiO₄ to Sn₂TiO₆ by oxidation are rationalized; the key effect being the destabilization of divalent tin Sn^II towards tetravalent state Sn^IV leading to rutile Sn₂TiO₆ as experimentally observed. The subsequent electronic structure change is highlighted in the relative change of the electronic band gap which increases from ∼1 eV up to 2.2 eV and the 1.5 times increase of the bulk modulus assigned to the change from covalently Sn^II based compound to the more ionic Sn^IV one. Such trends are also confronted with the relevant properties of black Sn^IIO.     

Evidence for the formation of an antase-type VTi oxide solid-state solution

Samples of VTi oxides with V/Ti atomic ratios ranging from 0 to 0.01875 have been prepared by coprecipitation of VOCl₃ and TiCl₄, followed by calcination in air up to 700°C. The samples have been characterized by X-ray diffraction, UV-visible diffuse reflectance, FT-IR and ESR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and surface area measurements. The results provide evidence for the formation of a well crystallized anatase-type VTi oxide solid-state solution characterized by a small but significant unit cell expansion and by the incorporation of V as a tetravalent species.     

The structure of amorphous sulfur

The λ‐transition of elemental sulfur occurring at about 159°C has long been associated with the conversion of cyclic S₈ rings (c‐S₈) to amorphous polymer (a‐S) via a ring opening polymerization. Here we demonstrate, with the use of both density functional and Hartree‐Fock quantum mechanical calculations, the existence of an energetically accessible, locally stable, hypervalent state of S that can form branch sites in the polymer. The significance of this finding is that the λ‐transition is best described as a gelation transition. The geometry of the tetravalent S atom is trigonal bipyramidal, with a lone pair occupying one of the three equatorial sites; it lies in a local energy minimum about 31 kcal/mol above the normal divalent state, and so is accessible both thermally and photochemically. Because the branched structure is formed endothermically, Le Chatelier's principle confirms that a percolation network can form on heating the element. The reactions that form branched structures are reversible, implying that the gel is fluxional. It decomposes at higher temperatures as chain scission competes with branching. The hypervalent structure provides an essential insight into the chemistry of elemental sulfur.     

Application of EPR spectroscopy for elucidation of vanadium speciation in VO x /ZrO2 catalysts subject to redox treatment

Application of EPR spectroscopy corroborated by spectra simulation in speciation studies of the tetravalent vanadium in supported VO _x /ZrO₂ catalyst has been discussed. Implementation of genetic algorithms into automated analysis of the EPR spectra has greatly improved the simulation efficiency. The performance of the new procedure has been benchmarked against common simplex method using the multi-component model and real EPR spectra of tetravalent vanadium in VO _x /ZrO₂ catalysts. The analysis has revealed speciation of vanadium into surface isolated and clustered vanadyl entities and isolated bulk V _Zr ^x ions due to formation of Zr_1?x V _x O₂ solid solution in the near to surface region. The structural heterogeneity of vanadium can be controlled by the calcination temperature and the redox treatment.     

Electronic Structure and Superconductivity of Compressed Metal Tetrahydrides

Tetrahydrides crystallizing in the ThCr₂Si₂ structure type have been predicted to become stable for a plethora of metals under pressure, and some have recently been synthesized. Through detailed first-principles investigations we show that the metal atoms within these symmetry MH₄ compounds may be divalent, trivalent or tetravalent. The valence of the metal atom and its radius govern the bonding and electronic structure of these phases, and their evolution under pressure. The factors important for enhancing superconductivity include a large number of hydrogenic states at the Fermi level, and the presence of quasi-molecular H units whose bonds have been stretched and weakened (but not broken) via electron transfer from the electropositive metal, and via a Kubas-like interaction with the metal. Analysis of the microscopic mechanism of superconductivity in MgH₄, ScH₄ and ZrH₄ reveals that phonon modes involving a coupled libration and stretch of the H units leading to the formation of more complex hydrogenic motifs are important contributors towards the electron phonon coupling mechanism. In the divalent hydride MgH₄, modes associated with motions of the hydridic hydrogen atoms are also key contributors, and soften substantially at lower pressures.     

Effect of solution chemistry on the surface charge of polymeric reverse osmosis and nanofiltration membranes

A streaming potential analyzer has been used to investigate the effect of solution chemistry on the surface charge of four commercial reverse osmosis and nanofiltration membranes. Zeta potentials of these membranes were analyzed for aqueous solutions of various chemical compositions over a pH range of 2 to 9. In the presence of an indifferent electrolyte (NaCl), the isoelectric points of these membranes range from 3.0 to 5.2. The curves of zeta potential versus solution pH for all membranes display a shape characteristic of amphoteric surfaces with acidic and basic functional groups. Results with salts containing divalent ions (CaCl₂, Na₂SO₄, and MgSO₄) indicate that divalent cations more readily adsorb to the membrane surface than divalent anions, especially in the higher pH range. Three sources of humic acid, Suwannee River humic acid, peat humic acid, and Aldrich humic acid, were used to investigate the effect of dissolved natural organic matter on membrane surface charge. Other solution chemistries involved in this investigation include an anionic surfactant (sodium dodecyl sulfate) and a cationic surfactant (dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide). Results show that humic substances and surfactants readily adsorb to the membrane surface and markedly influence the membrane surface charge.     

Coordinatively Unsaturated Polynuclear Mixed-Valent Sn<Superscript>II</Superscript>–Sn<Superscript>IV</Superscript> and Cu<Superscript>II</Superscript>–Sn<Superscript>IV</Superscript> Oxo-Centered Carboxylates

The tetranuclear mixed-valent oxo-cluster [Sn^IISn^IVO(O₂CCF₃)₄]₂ (1) has been prepared by reacting SnCl₂ with AgO₂CCF₃ in a sealed ampoule at 90 °C. Alternatively, 1 was obtained by acidolysis of Ph₃SnSnPh₃ with trifluoroacetic acid in solution. The X-ray diffraction study of 1 revealed the presence of a Sn^IIOSn₂^IVOSn^II core comprised of the penta-coordinated divalent and six-coordinated tetravalent tin atoms. The ¹¹⁹Sn NMR studies confirmed the stability of the cluster in solution and the presence of two different oxidation states of tin. An acidolysis of Ph₃SnSnPh₃ in the presence of [Cu₂^II(O₂CCF₃)₄] followed by sublimation of the resulting product at 90 °C afforded the first trinuclear mixed metal Sn–Cu cluster [(C₆H₅)₂Sn₂^IVCu^IIO(O₂CCF₃)₆] (2). The X-ray diffraction analysis of 2 revealed the presence of two phenyl groups attached to the six-coordinated tin(IV) atoms and the tetragonal pyramidal environment of the copper(II) atom. Both complexes have been obtained free of exogenous ligands.     

Effect of labile hydrogens on measurement of tritium preserved in hydrogens of cellulose

Various f-elements are separated as anionic complexes from both acidic and alkaline solutions by precipitation with alkylpyridinium salts. The precipitates are also cationic surfactants where the simple counter-ion (e.g. nitrate or chloride) is replaced by the negatively charged complex anion of an actinide or lanthanide. The low solubility of these precipitates is explained by a strong affinity of divalent complex counter-ions of f-elements to the quaternary nitrogen. Precipitations in solutions of nitric acid allow to separate tetravalent f-elements from other metals, in alkaline carbonate solutions tetravalent and hexavalent actinides are precipitated simultaneously. The last procedure yields precipitates, which are very intimate mixtures of hexavalent and tetravalent actinides. This allows to prepare mixed oxides in a simple way.     

Chelate formation and stability analysis of cobalt,nickel and copper with lomatiol

The pH-metric studies on the interaction of divalent metal cations, Co (II), Ni (II) and Cu (II) with lomatiol have been performed under the thermodynamic conditions achievable at constant ionic strength and infinite dilution in which a mole of divalent metal, combined with 02 mol of lomatiol. Lomatiol being bidentate could replace two water molecules at a time. The values of stepwise formation constants showed no conspicuous difference at 25 °C and 35 °C, and the complexes, registered a decrease in their stability values suggesting the low temperature as a favorable condition under which the chelation of metal with lomatiol is feasible. The reaction takes place without the use of any specific catalyst although under alkaline conditions. The reactions of lomatiol with metal cations in solution had been adjudged as the spontaneous reaction on account of the negative ΔG value in all the metal lomatiol systems. Also the study showed the positive experimental values of entropy changes in all the systems and negative value of free energy. The continuous fall in the values of the stepwise formation constants (k₁ > k₂ > k₃) in the divalent metal-lomatiol system has been assigned to the statistical factor.     

Influence of inorganic scalants and natural organic matter on nanofiltration membrane fouling

The influence of inorganic scalants and NOM on nanofiltration (NF) membrane fouling was investigated by a crossflow bench-scale test cell. Mathematical fouling models were used to determine kinetics and fouling mechanisms of NF membrane. It was observed that, with natural organic matter (NOM) at a concentration of 10 mg L⁻¹, divalent cation, i.e. calcium (Ca²⁺), exhibited greater flux decline than monovalent cation, i.e. sodium (Na⁺), while solution flux curves dominated cake formation model, especially at high ionic strength. For inorganic scalants of polyanions, i.e. carbonate (CO₃²⁻), sulphate (SO₄²⁻), and phosphate (PO₄³⁻), solution flux curves were relatively fitted well with pore blocking model, possibly due to precipitated species formed and blocked on membrane surface and/or pores. For different divalent cations (i.e. calcium and magnesium (Mg²⁺)), calcium showed greater flux decline than magnesium, possibly due to higher concentration of precipitated calcium species than that of precipitated magnesium species based on the pC (−log concentration) and pH diagram.     

GeTe2O6, a germanium tellurate(IV) with an open framework

The structure of an already evidenced but still uncharacterized GeTe₂O₆ phase consists of isolated GeO₆ octahedra connected via isolated TeO₃ units. The germanium cations occupy a site with symmetry. The Te and O atoms are in general positions of the P2₁/n space group. This structure corresponds to a new type of tetravalent tellurate and is different from other AB₂X₆ structures in which the B cation presents a stereochemically active electronic lone pair. It derives from the pseudo‐hexagonal MI₂O₆ (M = Mg, Mn, Co and Fe) type by a strong monoclinic distortion caused by the much smaller size of Ge⁴⁺ compared with the divalent M cations.     

Phase Formation Studies of Lead(II) Copper(II) Oxotellurates: The Crystal Structures of Dimorphic PbCuTeO5, PbCuTe2O6, and [Pb2Cu2(Te4O11)](NO3)2

Two modifications of the oxotellurate(VI) PbCuTeO₅ were isolated as single crystals from product mixtures obtained from solid state reactions, whereas single crystals of the oxotellurates(IV) PbCuTe₂O₆ and [Pb₂Cu₂(Te₄O₁₁)](NO₃)₂ were grown under hydrothermal conditions. The crystal structures of all compounds comprise of characteristic coordination polyhedra, viz. nearly square [CuO₄] plaquettes for divalent copper, octahedral [TeO₆] units for hexavalent tellurium, trigonal‐pyramidal [TeO₃] and bisphenoidal [TeO₄] groups for tetravalent tellurium, and distorted [PbO_x] polyhedra for divalent lead. PbCuTeO₅ is dimorphic and crystallizes in a monoclinic and a triclinic modification, related by a translationengleiche group‐subgroup relation of index 2. PbCuTe₂O₆ represents the ideal composition of the rare mineral choloalite. The characteristic feature of the crystal structure of [Pb₂Cu₂(Te₄O₁₁)](NO₃)₂ is its layered set‐up, comprised of cationic [Pb₂Cu₂(Te₄O₁₁)]²⁺ ribbons (width approximately 6.7 Å) sandwiched between nitrate anions that are only weakly bound to the cationic layers.