Effect of Cu(II) on the electrochemically initiated reaction of thiols with<Emphasis Type="Italic"> N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-diethyl-<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-phenylenediamine: methodology for the indirect voltammetric determination of Cu(II)

The effect of Cu(II) on the determination of homocysteine via its electrochemically initiated reaction with N,N-diethyl-p-phenylenediamine is examined. The presence of copper inhibited the detection process for homocysteine owing to a complexation reaction occurring. This provided an indirect route for the sensitive and selective determination of Cu(II), which produced a linear response over the range from 2.5 to 500 M and a limit of detection of 2.5 M. The detection pathway was examined in the presence of metallic and inorganic ions, with negligible interference observed.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In vitro</Emphasis> inhibitory effect of polyoxometalates on human tumor cells

H₇[NiV₁₃O₃₈] was synthesized from K₇[NiV₁₃O₃₈] using an ion exchange method. Then Pr₂H[NiV₁₃O₃₈] was obtained by double decomposition of H₇[NiV₁₃O₃₈] with Pr₂(CO₃)₃. The actual amount of praseodymium measured by elemental analysis coincides with the designed amount of praseodymium in Pr₂H[NiV₁₃O₃₈]. The i.r. spectra suggested that the [NiV₁₃O₃₈]^7– anion did not collapse after the ion exchange and double decomposition. The ⁵¹V n.m.r. spectrum of Pr₂H[NiV₁₃O₃₈] showed four peaks and their ratio of the relative intensity was 4:4:4:1. This result agrees with the chemical environment of V atoms in the [NiV₁₃O₃₈]^7– anion. In vitro antitumor activities of polyoxometalates on several human tumor cells have been investigated using the MTT method. Pr₂H[NiV₁₃O₃₈] is the most effective polyoxometalate tested in this study for inhibiting KB cell. Pr₂H[NiV₁₃O₃₈] also showed remarkable inhibitory effect on some other tumor cells: HCT, Bel, B₁₆, BCAP and ESCL cells. These results indicate that Pr₂H[NiV₁₃O₃₈] is a potent broad spectrum antitumor agent. The structure type of polyoxometalates greatly influences their antitumor activity: the order of structure type for inhibiting KB cell is: [NiV₁₃O₃₈]^7–>[Mo₇O₂₄]^6–>Anderson structure Keggin structure Dawson structure. Moreover, the nature of the polyatom in the polyoxometalates also greatly influences their antitumor activity: the polyatom order for inhibiting KB cell is: V>Mo W. On the other hand, the nature of the counter cation and the heteroatom in the polyoxometalates exerted a relatively small influence on the inhibitory effect against the KB cell, although the praseodymium salt of [NiV₁₃O₃₈]^7– showed a higher antitumor activity than its potassium salt.     

Historical Aspects of the Chemical Bond. Chemical Relationality <Emphasis Type="Italic">versus</Emphasis> Physical Objectivity

Summary. Chemists have always defined the properties of materials on the basis of the changes observed when they reacted with other substances. Whereas this approach led chemists to relational concepts such as affinity, acid, and oxidant, physicists made measurements of objects they considered unchanged, determining their mass, charge, dipole moment, etc. In the middle of the 18th century, the Jesuit Josip Ruder Bocovi started thinking about the way in which atoms might be present in crystals, introducing a new concept according to which atoms in condensed phases represented punctual centres of attracting and repelling forces. Josef Loschmidt became aware of these ideas through the philosopher J. F. Herbart, and it is to Loschmidt that we owe the first representation of bonds as atomic spheres penetrating one another. The term quantum chemistry was first used by the physicist Arthur Erich Haas, who was born in Brno. However, Hans Hellmann (1903–1938) was the true founder of quantum chemistry. Hellmann, who was shot in Moscow in 1938, was the first person to realize the quantum-physical effect that leads to the chemical bond. In the 1960s K. Ruedenberg and others took theory a stage further when – thanks to the concept of the localized electron pair – they realized that the different approaches to the phenomenon of the chemical bond taken by chemists and physicists were largely comparable. This made it possible to bring the differing standpoints largely into line with one another.     

Synthesis,Structure, and Magnetic Properties of the Silicides <Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">RE</Emphasis>IrSi (<Emphasis Type="Italic">RE</Emphasis> = Ce,Pr, Er,Tm, Lu) and SmIr<Subscript>0.266(8)</Subscript>Si<Subscript>1.734(8)</Subscript>

Summary. The equiatomic rare earth metal–iridium–silicides REIrSi (RE=Ce, Pr, Er, Tm, Lu) were prepared by arc-melting of the elements and subsequent annealing. All silicides were characterized through their X-ray powder patterns. The structures of CeIrSi, ErIrSi, and LuIrSi were refined from X-ray single crystal diffractometer data: LaIrSi type, P2₁3, a=629.15(2)pm, wR2=0.1232, 280F² values, and 11 variable parameters for CeIrSi; TiNiSi type, Pnma, a=673.4(1), b=416.07(5), c=744.88(9)pm, wR2=0.0705, 339F² values, and 20 variable parameters for ErIrSi, and a=664.0(3), b=412.9(1), c=742.6(1)pm, wR2=0.0398, 496F² values, and 20 variable parameters for LuIrSi. The iridium and silicon atoms in CeIrSi, ErIrSi, and LuIrSi build three-dimensional [IrSi] networks where the iridium atoms have three (CeIrSi, Ir–Si 229pm) and four (ErIrSi, Ir–Si 247–258pm; LuIrSi, Ir–Si 245–256pm) silicon neighbors. The [IrSi] networks leave larger channels in which the cerium, erbium, and lutetium atoms are located. Temperature dependent susceptibility data for LuIrSi indicate Pauli paramagnetism. CeIrSi shows Curie-Weiss paramagnetism above 100K with an experimental magnetic moment of 2.56(2)_B/Ce atom. With samarium as rare earth metal component the silicide SmIr_0.266(8)Si_1.734(8) with -ThSi₂ type structure was obtained: I4₁/amd, a=409.3(1), c=1397.2(5)pm, wR2=0.0575, 161F² values, and 9 variable parameters. Within the three-dimensional [Ir_0.266Si_1.734] network the Ir/Si–Ir/Si distances range from 230 to 237pm.     

Quantum-chemical study of C<Subscript>n</Subscript>F2<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>+2</Subscript> conformers. Structure and IR spectra

Quantum-chemical calculations of the geometrical structure and vibrational spectra of C_nF_2n+2 oligomers (n = 5–8) in the chain and branched conformations are reported. The lengthening of the chain of C_nF_2n+2 does not substantially affect the geometrical parameters of the oligomers. In all cases under study, the most optimal structure of the molecule is a zigzag chain with bond lengths R(C-C) = 1.53 –1.54 and R(C-F) = 1.36 –1.34 ; the chain is rolled into a helix, which makes an angle of 17° with the plane. The IR spectra are sensitive to the structural deficiency of oligomers C_nF_2n+2 associated with the lateral trifluoromethyl groups formed in the chain; the spectra can be used for revealing defects of this type in the structure of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The possibility of defects associated with the lateral CF₃ groups in the structure of PTFE and its low-temperature modifications is explained based on the calculated total energies of C_nF2 _n+2.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2004 by L. N. Ignatieva, A. Yu. Beloliptsev, S. G. Kozlova, and V. M. BuznikTranslated from Zhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 45, No. 4, pp. 632–643, July–August, 2004.This revised version was published online in April 2005 with a corrected cover date.     

Arjunolic acid derivative glycoside from the stems of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hedera colchica</Emphasis>

Five triterpenoid saponins were isolated from the stems of Hedera colchica K. Koch, Araliaceae. Two of them are new natural substances. HCSt-A (1): 3-O--D-arabinopyranoside; 28-O--L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 4)-O--D-glucopyranosyl-(16)-O--D-glucopyranosyl-arjunolic acid. HCSt-B (2): 3-O--D-xylopyranoside; 28-O--L-rhamnopyranosyl-(14)-O--D-glucopyranosyl-(16)-O--D-glucopyranosyl-hederagenin. The derivative of arjunolic acid is described for the first time in Araliaceae family. The chemical structures of isolated compounds were established on the base of chemical and 1D and 2D NMR experiments.Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 6, pp. 461–463, November–December, 2004.This revised version was published online in April 2005 with a corrected cover date.     

Formation of a Hydroxo-bridged Dinuclear Ru(III)/Ru(III) Complex from <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-Methylimidazole and [Ru<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cp</Emphasis>(CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>CN)<Subscript>3</Subscript>]<Superscript>+</Superscript>

Summary. The reaction of [RuCp(CH₃CN)₃]PF₆ with 1 equiv of N-Me-imidazole results in the quantitative formation of [RuCp(¹N-N-Me-imidazole)(CH₃CN)₂]PF₆ (1) featuring a ¹N rather than a ¹C bound N-Me-imidazole ligand. According to DFT/B3LYP calculations, ¹N coordination of N-Me-imidazole is preferred over ¹C coordination by 25.5kJ/mol. Upon exposure to air 1 reacts with oxygen and water to afford the novel hydroxo-bridged dinuclear complex of [Ru₂Cp₂(¹N-N-Me-imidazole)₂(-OH)₂](PF₆)₂ (2) featuring a metal-metal single bond. The dimeric nature of 2 was confirmed by a single-crystal X-ray structure analysis.     

Complex formation of pyridine <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-oxides with iodine

Complex formation of N-oxides of pyridine, 2- and 3-picolines, 4-nitropyridine, and 2,6-lutidine with iodine in benzene solutions and binary solid mixtures gives rise to equimolar complexes. In the solid phase, 1 : 2 and 2 : 1 complexes are also formed. Most solid complexes are polymorphous, and the enthalpies of intermolecular bonds in different crystal modifications are different. In solutions, external complexes pass into more stable internal complexes. The formation enthalpies of external and internal complexes with 2,6-lutidine N-oxides differ two times. Exposure of solid complexes to sun or UV light endows them with several types of coloration centers.Translated from Zhurnal Obshchei Khimii, Vol. 74, No. 12, 2004, pp. 2048–2055.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2004 by Ponomarenko, Borovikov, Sivachek, Makovetskii.This revised version was published online in April 2005 with a corrected cover date.     

Crystal structure of 1-(2-pyridiniomethyl)-2,4-<Emphasis Type="Italic">bis</Emphasis>(phenylsulfonyl)benzene bromide

The crystal structure of 1-(2-pyridiniomethyl)-2,4-bis(phenylsulfonyl)benzene bromide, (C₂₄H₂₀NO₄S₂)⁺. Br^– (I) has been investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD)analysis. The triclinic structure of I (space group P1, a = 7.863 , b = 8.350 , c = 9.043 , = 94.00°, = 97.81°, = 104.62°, Z = 1) was solved by direct methods and refined by full-matrix least-squares analysis in an anisotropic approximation to R = 0.048 for all 4570 reflections collected (CAD-4 automatic diffractometer, CuK ). The geometrical parameters of the organic cation were determined with a sufficient degree of accuracy. The crystal structure of I involves a very strong interionic hydrogen bond N⁺-HBr^–.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2004 by A. N. ChekhlovTranslated from Zhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 45, No. 4, pp. 759–763, July–August, 2004.This revised version was published online in April 2005 with a corrected cover date.     

Analysis of the Temperature and Composition Dependence of Viscosimetric Properties of 2-Butanone <Emphasis Type="Bold">+</Emphasis> 2-Butanol Solvent Mixtures

Kinematic viscosities were measured for 2-butanone + 2-butanol binary liquid mixtures with a capillary Ubbelohde routine viscometer in the temperature range from 273.15 to 353.15 K at atmospheric pressure, and covering the whole miscibility field (0x_i1). Experimental data have been correlated by means of different empirical or semiempirical relationships, such as =(T), =(x_i), and =(T, x_i). Viscosity deviations, , from ideal behavior are negative at all experimental conditions, confirming that structure breaking effects prevail in the liquids. Furthermore, the thermodynamics of viscous flow and excess Gibbs energy of activation of viscous flow, G*^E, have been calculated. As an alternative and complementary approach to such investigations, the fluidity () of this binary system has been analyzed by the modified—Batschinski theory. The results are discussed in terms of the specific molecular interactions between the mixture components.     

A new steroidal glycoside phrygioside A and its aglycone from the starfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hippasteria phrygiana</Emphasis>

Three polyhydroxylated steroids were isolated from the Far-Eastern starfish Hippasteria phrygiana collected from the Sea of Okhotsk and were characterized as a new glycoside phrygioside A, viz., sodium (20R, 24S)-3,4,7,8,15,24-hexahydroxy-24-O-[3-O-methyl--D-xylopyranosyl-(12)--L-arabinofuranosyl]-5-cholestan-6-yl sulfate, its aglycone, and the already known marthasterone sulfate.__________Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 11, pp. 2526–2529, November, 2004.     

Effects of ionization on the phase behavior of poly(<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) and poly(<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-diethylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) in water

Phase transitions of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) (PiPA-AA) and poly(N,N- diethylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) (PdEA-AA) in water have been investigated by means of turbidimetry, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The phase transition temperatures (T_p) of these copolymers increase with the degree of ionization () of the acrylic acid (AA) units, which in turn is dependent on the pH of the solutions. Apparent values of pK_a for the AA units, determined from the pH dependencies of T_p, are 4.7 and 5.4 for PiPA-AA and PdEA-AA, respectively. Differences between T_p for PiPA-AA and T_p for PiPA homopolymer (T_p) are +1.5 and –0.2 °C/mol% of AA at =1 and 0, respectively. The values of T_p for PdEA-AA are +2.6 (ionic) and –0.5 (nonionic)°C/mol%, indicating that the incorporated AA units have a larger effect on PdEA than on PiPA. DSC measurements performed with each of these copolymers at different pH values show a linear relationship between T_p and the enthalpy of transition (H). IR measurements of PiPA-AA show that the profiles of IR bands from both iPA and AA units exhibit critical changes at T_p of the copolymer. Heating the solution above T_p leads to shifts of the amide II, C–H stretch, and C–H bend bands from the iPA units toward lower wavenumbers, as well as a shift of the amide I band from the iPA units toward higher wavenumbers. A decrease in the intensity of the symmetric C=O stretch IR band from carboxylate anions (1560 cm^–1), and an increase in the intensity of the C=O stretch band from COOH groups (1705 cm^–1) suggest that a partial protonation of the carboxylate groups (COO^–+H⁺COOH) takes place upon the phase transition.     

Kinetics and mechanism of monomolecular heterolysis of commercial organohalogen compounds: XXXVIII. Correlation analysis of solvent effects on the activation parameters of heterolysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">t</Emphasis>-BuBr and <Emphasis Type="Italic">t</Emphasis>-BuI

Heterolysis of t-BuBr and t-BuI in aprotic solvents involves a H - S compensation effect. The G of t-BuBr heterolysis in aprotic solvents decreases with increasing solvent polarity and cohesion, whereas the respective value for t-BuI heterolysis decreases with increasing solvent polarity, nucleophilicity, and polarizability. In protic solvents, a negative effect of nucleophilic solvation is observed.Translated from Zhurnal Obshchei Khimii, Vol. 74, No. 9, 2004, pp. 1476–1483.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2004 by Ponomarev, Zaliznyi, Dvorko.This revised version was published online in April 2005 with a corrected cover date.     

Sandwich immunoassay for determination of vitellogenin in golden grey mullet (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Liza aurata</Emphasis>) serum as a field exposure biomarker

Vitellogenin (VTG) is a protein produced in the liver of oviparous animals in response to oestrogens. Abnormal production of VTG by males, therefore, is used as a biological indicator of exposure to xeno-oestrogens. In this study, a sandwich-ELISA for measuring VTG in Liza aurata (golden grey mullet) was developed and validated. Plasma VTG was purified from 17-oestradiol-injected immature individuals of mullet, by size-exclusion and ion-exchange chromatography. Polyclonal antibodies against VTG were raised in rabbits. A sensitive immunoassay was developed for measurement of vitellogenin in L. aurata serum, reaching a quantification limit of 0.01 g mL^–1 and a dynamic range from 0.02 to 2 g mL^–1. The assay is specific, because high levels (>100 g mL^–1) of carp (Cyprinus carpio), goldfish (Carassius auratus), tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), tench (Tinca tinca), rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), European eel (Anguilla anguilla) and frog (Rana perezi) purified VTG, give negligible responses. The assay was used to analyse plasma samples from wild mullet.     

Substituted 1,2-Thiazetidine 1,1-Dioxides. Synthesis of (<Emphasis Type="Italic">RS</Emphasis>)- and (<Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>)-1,2-Thiazetidine-3-acetic Acid 1,1-Dioxide and its Reactions with Amino Acids and Dipeptides

Summary. (RS)-2-tert-Butyldimethylsilyl-1,2-thiazetidine-3-acetic acid 1,1-dioxide prepared from (RS)-S-benzyl--homocysteine was condensed via DCC/NHS with various L-amino acid esters or dipeptide esters yielding N-silylated -sultam peptides. A -sultam active ester was isolated as an intermediate. Desilylation with TBAF in THF yielded stable N-unsubstituted products, and deprotection of the benzyl esters was achieved by catalytic hydrogenation. (S)-S-Benzyl--homocysteine was obtained by fractional crystallization of the brucine salt of the racemate and transformed into benzyl (S)-1,2-thiazetidine-3-acetate, which was on the other hand synthesized by an enantiospecific route from -benzyl Boc-L-aspartate. Some -sultam peptides were prepared from the (S)-enantiomer, and finally some -sultam peptides containing D-Ala units were obtained.     

Chiral coordination polymers based on Re cluster complexes,Cu<Superscript>2+</Superscript> cations,and 1,2<Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>,3<Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>,4-tetraaminobutane

Reactions of octahedral and tetrahedral chalcocyanide cluster complexes of Re with Cu²⁺ cations and 1,2S,3S,4-tetraaminobutane (Threo-tab) were used to synthesize and study the structures of the following six novel chiral complexes: [{Cu₂(NH₃)(Threo-tab)₃}Re₆S₈(CN)₆] 3H₂O (I) (where Threo is 1,2S,3S,4-tetraaminobutane), [{Cu₂(NH₃)(Threo-tab)₃}Re₆Se₈(CN)₆] 2H₂O (II), [{Cu(Threo-tab)}₂Re₆Te₈(CN)₆] 13.5H₂O (III), [{Cu(Threo-tab)}₂Re₄Te₄(CN)₁₂] 6.5H₂O (IV), [{Cu₂(NH₃)(Threo-tab)₂}Re₄Te₄(CN)₁₂] 4H₂O (V), and [{Cu(NH₃)(Threo-tab)}]₂[Re₄S_3.4Te_0.6(CN)₁₂] 1.25H₂O (VI). The structures of complexes I–IV contain extended channels of sufficiently large size capable of including guest molecules.__________Translated from Koordinatsionnaya Khimiya, Vol. 31, No. 4, 2005, pp. 289–301.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Mironov, Naumov, Brylev, Efremova, Fedorov, Hegetschweiler.     

Rapid molecular typing of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tuber melanosporum</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">T. brumale</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">T. indicum</Emphasis> from tree seedlings and canned truffles

We have developed new DNA extraction and purification procedures for investigation of mycorrhized seedlings and canned truffles. Use of these procedures on approximately 100 mg initial material enabled good sample representation. For mycorrhized seedlings, Taq polymerase inhibitors were discarded irrespective of tree species. In routine analysis we systematically used consensus primers ITS1/ITS4 to check the absence of Taq polymerase inhibitors and the presence of fungus DNA. Positive response with ITS validates other positive or negative PCR results. Absence of amplification with ITS prevents validation of other results. For canned truffles, DNA harvested from ascocarps sterilized for one and a half hours at 115°C was amplified with specific primers. We have developed consensus primers, named R12/F12, to check for the presence of amplifiable fungus DNA and the absence of Taq polymerase inhibitors. Here also, positive response with consensus R12/F12 validates other positive or negative PCR results. We have developed one primer pair specific for T. brumale and another specific for T. melanosporum. We can then characterize these two taxa, which enables the use of truffle or truffled French designations. We can also characterize T. indicum, the Asiatic black truffle that might fraudulently be sold as T. melanosporum and T. brumale. These three specific primer pairs were used independently of DNA extraction from tree seedlings or canned truffles. Our process is specific, sensitive, convenient, and quick.J.P. Douet and D. Mabru have contributed equally to this work     

Detection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-monomethyl-lysine generated by metabolic transmethylation

Administration of radiolabelled deprenyl to rats resulted in the urinary elimination of a ¹⁴C-labelled N-monomethyl-lysine. An increased level of N-monomethyl-lysine was found following an oral dose of another drug, also containing an N-methyl group. The urine sample was treated with 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl chloride and then subjected to high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC); the radioactive fraction was identified as N-monomethyl-lysine by using HPLC-MS in electrospray mode. Identification of N-monomethyl-lysine in the radioactive fraction gives experimental proof of transmethylation from a well-known drug to an endogenous compound.     

Regioselective Synthesis of Substituted Triazolium Salts <Emphasis Type="Italic">via</Emphasis> 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition Reactions

Summary. The regioselectivity of 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions of 1-aza-2-azoniaallene salts with ,-unsaturated nitriles such as acrylonitrile or cyclohexylidene acetonitrile afforded only 1,2,4-triazolium salts via addition to the nitrile group, while the other expected pyrazolium salts were not observed. Moreover, 1-aza-2-azonia-allene salts reacted with other competitive systems such as -iminonitrile derivatives yielding only triazolium salts via addition to the nitrile and not to the imino group. Treatment of cumulene with 3-pyridylnitrile afforded the pyridinium salt. However, 2,3-dimethyl-5-(2,6-dimethoxyphenyl)-[1,2,4]triazole could be prepared from cumulene and 2,6-dimethoxybenzonitrile. Some reactions of nitriles with 1-aza-2-azonia-allene salts prepared from 1,2,3-indantrione and 9-acetylphenanthrene are discussed.     

Synthesis,crystal structure and magnetism of a three-dimensional manganese(II) complex with carbamyldicyanomethanide anion (<Emphasis Type="Italic">cda</Emphasis>) as a bridging ligand

A three-dimensional complex {[Mn(cda)₂]·2MeOH}_n has been synthesized and its crystal structure determined by X-ray crystallography. In the complex each Mn ion is located in a distorted octahedral environment with two oxygen atoms O(1D) and O(1E) from two amide groups, and four nitrogen atoms N(2), N(2A), N(3B) and N(3C) from four nitrile groups of four cda anions, respectively; each cda anion as a ₃-bridging ligand provides two nitrile nitrogen atoms, and an amide oxygen atoms to coordinate three Mn ions. Thus, a three-dimensional network consisting of Mn ions and cda bridging ligands is constructed with solvent MeOH molecules trapped in the cavities. The variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility of the complex was measured in the 5–300K range. The magnetic coupling parameter is consistent with an antiferromagnetic exchange and generates the antiferromagnetic coupling parameter, 2J=–0.2cm^–1.