Parameterization of an empirical model for the prediction of n-octanol, alkane and cyclohexane/water as well as brain/blood partition coefficients

Quantitative information of solvation and transfer free energies is often needed for the understanding of many physicochemical processes, e.g the molecular recognition phenomena, the transport and diffusion processes through biological membranes and the tertiary structure of proteins. Recently, a concept for the localization and quantification of hydrophobicity has been introduced (Jäger et al. J Chem Inf Comput Sci 43:237–247, 2003). This model is based on the assumptions that the overall hydrophobicity can be obtained as a superposition of fragment contributions. To date, all predictive models for the logP have been parameterized for n-octanol/water (logP _oct ) solvent while very few models with poor predictive abilities are available for other solvents. In this work, we propose a parameterization of an empirical model for n-octanol/water, alkane/water (logP _alk ) and cyclohexane/water (logP _cyc ) systems. Comparison of both logP _alk and logP _cyc with the logarithms of brain/blood ratios (logBB) for a set of structurally diverse compounds revealed a high correlation showing their superiority over the logP _oct measure in this context.     

Fine structure and transition probabilities of the 2p 5 nl bound excited states of Ne atom

We present a semi-empirical calculational procedure for thep ⁵ nl bound excited states of rare gas atoms based on the use of an LS-dependent orbital for an excitednl electron outside a frozen Hartree-Fockp ⁵ core. The spin-orbit interaction is accounted for approximately using a localized Hartree potential. The contribution from the long-range core polarization is estimated by using a parametrized potential. A model potential is also introduced to represent partially the short-range multi-electron interactions for thep ⁵ np levels. The energy levels are calculated by diagonalizing the Hamiltonian matrix following anLS →jl transformation. The calculated fine structure of the Nep ⁵ ns,p ⁵ np,p ⁵ nd, andp ⁵ nf ¦ (jl)KJ〉 levels are in close agreement with the observed level splittings. The transition probabilities are also in agreement with earlier theoretical and experimental results.     

Observations on the swelling of cross-linked poly(dimethylsiloxane) networks by solvents

The Flory Huggins Solvent parameter (χ) previously published for a range of solvents and a cross-linked silicone polymer, have been recalculated using the original swelling data, but including a term representing the loss of configurational entropy consequent on crosslinking. From the Shore hardness of the polymer, the Young’s modulus E was calculated. E = 6(C₁ + C₂), where C₁ and C₂ are the parameters from the Mooney Rivlin equation for the elastic deformation of an elastomer. Since C₁ is related to M_c, the average molecular weight between crosslinks, revised χ values could be calculated for various values of C₂/C₁. These showed that for good solvents for the silicone polymer, the values published previously were too high.     

Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein Expression in Pleurotus ostreatus for In Vivo Analysis of Fungal Laccase Promoters

The laccase family of Pleurotus ostreatus has been widely characterized, and studies of the genes coding for laccase isoenzymes in P. ostreatus have so far led to the identification of four different genes and the corresponding cDNAs, poxc, pox1, poxa1b and poxa3. Analyses of P. ostreatus laccase promoters poxc, pox1, poxa1b and poxa3 have allowed identification of several putative response elements, and sequences of metal-responsive elements involved in the formation of complexes with fungal proteins have been identified in poxc and poxa1b promoters. In this work, development of a system for in vivo analysis of P. ostreatus laccase promoter poxc by enhanced green fluorescent protein expression is performed, based on a poly ethylene glycol-mediated procedure for fungal transformation. A quantitative measurement of fluorescence expressed in P. ostreatus transformants is hereby reported for the first time for this fungus.     

Bi-ionic membrane potential across a liquid anion-exchange membrane containing triphenyltin chloride

Potentiometric selectivities of a liquid anion-exchange membrane containing triphenyltin chloride (TPTCl) to several inorganic anions were evaluated via measurements of the membrane potential of a bi-ionic system, also called bi-ionic membrane potential. Addition of TPTCl to the liquid anion-exchange membrane, based on the quaternary ammonium salt, gave rise to a quite different selectivity pattern from the so-called Hofmeister anion series observed for the liquid anion-exchange membrane. An additivity rule of the bi-ionic membrane potential was observed to hold for the liquid anion-exchange membrane containing TPTCl. Thus, the following multiple chain rule was derived for selectivity coefficients; k_1,n^pot = k_1,2^pot · k_2,3^pot … k_i,(i+1)^pot … k_n−1,n^pot where k_i,i+1^pot is the selectivity coefficient of the membrane for the (i + 1)th ion over the ith ion.     

Stability of Rare-Earth Oxychloride Phases: Bond Valence Study

The crystal structures of the tetragonal rare earth (RE) oxychlorides, REOCl (RE=La-Nd, Sm-Ho, and Y) were studied by X-ray powder diffraction measurements, Rietveld analyses, and bond valence calculations. The tetragonal structure (space group P4/nmm, No. 129, Z=2) is stable for all but Er-Lu oxychlorides, which possess a hexagonal structure. The tetragonal structure consists of alternating layers of (REO)_nⁿ⁺ complex cations and Xⁿ⁻ anions, where the rare earth is coordinated to four oxygens and four plus one chlorines in a monocapped tetragonal antiprism arrangement. The Rietveld analyses yielded a coherent series of structural parameters. Preferred orientation and microabsorption effects were found significant. The evolution of interatomic distances and bond angles indicated that the reason for the preferred structure changing from tetragonal to hexagonal is the strain in the chlorine layer. The bond valence parameter B for the RE-O bonds had to be recalculated due to the covalent nature of the (REO)_nⁿ⁺ unit. The results obtained with the new parameter confirmed the strains in the chlorine layer to be the cause for the phase transition.     

Phase formation, crystal structures and magnetic properties of perovskite-type phases in the system La2Co1+z(MgxTi1−x)1−zO6

Perovskite-type cobaltates in the system La₂Co_1+z(Mg_xTi_1−x)_1−zO₆ were studied for z=0≤x≤0.6 and 0≤x<0.9, using X-ray and neutron powder diffraction, electron diffraction (ED), magnetic susceptibility measurements and X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy. The samples were synthesised using the citrate route in air at 1350 °C. The space group symmetry of the structure changes from P2₁/n via Pbnm to R3¯c with both increasing Mg content and increasing Co content. The La₂Co(Mg_xTi_1−x)O₆ (z=0) compounds show anti-ferromagnetic couplings of the magnetic moments for the Co below 15 K for x=0, 0.1 and 0.2. XANES spectra show for the compositions 0≤x≤0.5 a linear decrease in the L₃/(L₃+L₂) Co-L_2,3 edge branching ratio with x, in agreement with a decrease of the average Co ion spin-state, from a high-spin to a lower-spin-state, with decreasing nominal Co²⁺ ion content.     

Dielectric properties of some MM′O4 and MTiM′O6 (M=Cr, Fe, Ga; M′=Nb, Ta, Sb) rutile-type oxides

We describe an investigation of the structure and dielectric properties of MM′O₄ and MTiM′O₆ rutile-type oxides for M=Cr, Fe, Ga and M′=Nb, Ta and Sb. All the oxides adopt a disordered rutile structure (P4₂/mnm) at ambient temperature. A partial ordered trirutile-type structure is confirmed for FeTaO₄ from the low temperature (17 K) neutron diffraction studies. While both the MM′O₄ oxides (CrTaO₄ and FeTaO₄) investigated show a normal dielectric property MTiM′O₆ oxides for M=Fe, Cr and M′=Nb/Ta/Sb display a distinct relaxor/relaxor-like response. Significantly the corresponding gallium analogs, GaTiNbO₆ and GaTiTaO₆, do not show a relaxor response at T<500 K.     

Calculation of pVT and vapor–liquid equilibria of copolymer systems based on an equation of state

A molecular thermodynamic model for copolymers and their mixtures has been established by adopting the hard-sphere-chain fluid as a reference and a square-well (SW) term as well as an association term as a perturbation. The latter is introduced to consider various associating functions in a chain-like molecule based on the shield-sticky model of chemical association. The model adopts five molecular parameters, i.e. r_i, σ_ii ε_ii/k, δε_ii/k and ω_ii, for a polymer species i, where the last two are responsible for association. These parameters can be obtained from the pVT data of the corresponding molten homopolymer i. The model can be used to correlate pVT data for molten copolymers with an adjustable parameter describing the interaction between different polymer species. The model can also be used to calculate vapor–liquid equilibria (VLE) for copolymer solutions with three adjustable interaction parameters.     

Thermodynamics of proton dissociations from aqueous l-proline: apparent molar volumes and apparent molar heat capacities of the protonated cationic,zwitterionic, and deprotonated anionic forms at temperatures from 278.15 K to 393.15 K and at the pressure 0.35 MPa

Apparent molar volumes V_φ and apparent molar heat capacities C_p,φ were determined for aqueous solutions of l-proline, l-proline with equimolal HCl, and l-proline with equimolal NaOH at the pressure p=0.35 MPa. Density measurements obtained with a vibrating-tube densimeter at temperatures (278.15⩽T/K⩽368.15) were used to calculate V_φ values, and heat capacity measurements obtained with a twin fixed-cell, differential-output, power-compensation, temperature-scanning calorimeter at temperatures (278.15⩽T/K⩽393.15) were used to calculate C_p,φ values. Speciation arising from equilibrium was accounted for using Young’s Rule, and semi-empirical equations describing (V_φ, m, T) and (C_p,φ, m, T) for each aqueous equilibrium species were fitted by regression to the experimental results. From these equations, the volume change Δ_rV_m and heat capacity change Δ_rC_p,m for the protonation and deprotonation reactions were calculated. Additionally, the Δ_rC_p,m expression was integrated symbolically to yield values of the reaction enthalpy change Δ_rH_m, reaction entropy change Δ_rS_m, and equilibrium molality reaction quotient Q for both reactions. The results provide a much-improved thermodynamic characterization of aqueous l-proline and of its protonation and deprotonation equilibria.     

Single-crystal EPR study of a mixed-valence ruthenium dimer ion: the ground state of the creutz-taube complex

Single-crystal electron paramagnetic measurements have been carried out on an orthorhombic chlorotetrabromo salt of the mixed-valence μ-pyrazinc-decamminediruthenium(5⁺) ion (Creutz-Taube ion) Below ≈ 200 K the spectrum consists of two lines arising from two magnetically inequivalent but crystallographically equivalent centres. The resonances can be described by a g tensor with principal axes aligned with

and x₁.y₁:x₂.y₂ in the ab plane. At 113 K the comp of the g tensor are g_x = 2.779(5). g_y = 2.489(5). g_z = 1.334(10). The point-group symmetry about the centre of unit is C₂h (m/2) with the c axis being the two-fold axis. The g_z component is aligned perpendicular to the plane of the pyrazine ring and perpendicular to the Ru-Ru axis (X). The remaining components should be aligned closely wilh X.Y. The angle between the X axes for the two sites as determined by X-ray measurements, is 85.8° compared with 82.5 ± 1° between the x₁.x₂g tensor axes. Magnetic exchange coupling between the dimer ions is very small. The tetragonal approximation to the observed g tensor is g₁ = 2.632 ± 0.005. g₁₁ = 1.334 ± 0.010. The theory of the g tensor for this complex is discussed, it is shown that these values are within the range predicted for an ion with a symmetrical delocalized ground state, the orientation of the g₁₁ component normal to the plane of the pyrazine ring is also predicted for a delocalized ground state. The EPR results arc thus consistent with a stable single-minimum ground state for the Creutz-Taube ion Powder EPR experiments on a tosylate salt of this ion have previously been reported by Bunker et al. A g₁₁ signal was not observed and it was assumed to be very small (? 0.6) and oriented along the Ru-Ru axis, however the absence of a signal at g ≈ 1.3 (in fact oriented perpendicular to the Ru-Ru axis) was presumably due to poor statistics for g₁₁ in EPR measurements on powder samples. The proposal of these authors that EPR measurements provide evidence for a trapped-valence ground state for the Creutz-Taube ion thus cannot be accepted.     

The use of scaled moments of inertia in experimental structure determinations of polyatomic molecules

Recently developed procedures for determining near-r _e structures (r _m ^p )from scaled ground-state moment of inertia data have been extended to general polyatomic molecules. A simple and general empirical method for correctingl _m ^p moments for the large vibration-rotation effects of deuterium substitution has been proposed and illustrated for a variety of polyatomic molecules. The correction requires utilization of a bond elongation parameter,δr _D ,whose experimental value is found to be approximately 0.003 Å. A theoretical justification of the approximation has been provided for linear triatomic molecules.     

Use of Stille-type cross-coupling as a route to oligopyridylimines

The new tin reagents, 2-(n-Bu₃Sn)-6-{C(R)OCH₂CH₂O}-C₅H₃N, (R=H a, Me b), have been employed in Stille-type cross-coupling reactions with a range of oligopyridylbromides generating, following a facile deprotection step, a series of formyl- and acetyl-functionalised oligopyridines. Condensation reactions with 2,6-diisopropylaniline has allowed access to families of novel sterically bulky multidentate N,N,N,N (tetradentate), N,N,N,N,N (pentadentate), N,N,N,N,N,N (sexidentate) and N,N,N,N,N,N,N (heptadentate) nitrogen donor ligands. This work represents a straightforward and rapid synthetic route for the preparation of oligopyridylimines, which are expected to act as useful components for the self-assembly of polymetallic complexes.     

Lanthanide luminescence efficiency in eight- and nine-coordinate complexes: Role of the radiative lifetime

The photophysical parameters for the sensitization of metal-centred luminescence are analyzed in two series of complexes with tridentate and hexadentate ligands having N_xO_y chelating units. In particular, the radiative lifetime τ_rad is experimentally estimated for 29 nine-coordinate Eu^III complexes and 10 eight- and nine-coordinate Yb^III complexes. The known dependence of τ_rad on refractive index is substantiated by comparing data for solid-state samples and solutions. Moreover, a clear dependence of τ_rad with the coordination environment is evidenced and in the case of Eu^III, a comparison between τ_rad and the nephelauxetic effect generated by the ligands is attempted. Altogether, this extensive analysis points to the importance of having a handle on τ_rad when designing ligands for highly luminescent lanthanide-containing molecular edifices. This, in turn, should stimulate initiating theoretical considerations to unravel a reliable relationship between τ_rad and the electronic structure of the ligands.     

The dependence of the lattice parameter and density of Zn1−xMnxTe on composition

The lattice parameter of the diluted magnetic semiconductor Zn_1?xMn_xTe has been determined as a function of composition. This material crystallizes in the zinc-blende structure for values of x below about 0.75. The results show that for this range of composition the lattice parameter satisfies Vegard's law and is given by a(x) = (6.103 + 0.237x) Å. This result corrects earlier published values of a(x) for this material (Juza et al., Z. anorg. allg. Chem.285, 61 (1956)), which are in considerable error. Because of its rather pronounced dependence on x, the lattice parameter provides an excellent method for determining sample composition. By extrapolating the expression of a(x) to x = 1, the results also provide a value of 6.340 ± 0.005 Å for the lattice parameter of the hypothetical zinc-blende phase of pure MnTe. The strong dependence of the lattice parameter of Zn_1?xMn_xTe on x is responsible for most of the variation of its density with composition.     

Novel method for determining DDT in vapour and particulate phases within contaminated indoor air in a malaria area of South Africa

The organochlorine insecticide DDT (1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane) is still used for malaria vector control in certain areas of South Africa. The strict Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) allows spraying on the inside of traditional dwellings with DDT. In rural villages contaminated dust presents an additional pathway for exposure to DDT. We present a new method for the determination of DDT in indoor air where separate vapour and particulate samples are collected in a single step with a denuder configuration of a multi-channel open tubular silicone rubber (polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)) trap combined with a micro quartz fibre filter. The multi-channel PDMS trap section of the denuder concentrates vapour phase insecticide whereas particle associated insecticide is transferred downstream where it is collected on a micro-fibre filter followed by a second multi-channel PDMS trap to capture the blow-off from the filter. The multi-channel PDMS trap and filter combination are designed to fit a commercial thermal desorber for direct introduction of samples into a GC–MS. The technique is solvent-free. Analyte extraction and sample clean-up is not required. Two fractions, vapour phase and particulate phase p,p′-DDT, o,p′-DDT; p,p′-DDD, o,p′-DDD; p,p′-DDE and o,p′-DDE in 4 L contaminated indoor air, were each quantitatively analysed by GC–MS using isotopically labelled ring substituted ¹³C₁₂ – p,p′-DDT as an internal standard. Limits of detection were 0.07–0.35 ng m⁻³ for p,p′-DDT, o,p′-DDT, p,p′-DDD, o,p′-DDD, p,p′-DDE and o,p′-DDE. Ratios of airborne p,p′-DDD/p,p′-DDT and of o,p′-DDT/p,p′-DDT are unusual and do not match the ideal certified ingredient composition required of commercial DDT. Results suggest that the DDT products used for indoor residual spraying (IRS) prior to, and during 2007, may have been compromised with regards to insecticidal efficacy, demonstrating the power of this new environmental forensics tool.     

Selective functionalization at the small rim of calix[6]arene. Synthesis of novel non-symmetrical N3, N4 and N3ArO biomimetic ligands

Eight novel calix[6]arene-based biomimetic ligands for transition metal ions have been synthesized. They display a non-symmetrical N₃, N₄ or N₃ArO binding core that mimics enzyme active sites presenting histidine and tyrosine residues. The key step for their synthesis is the mono-alkylation at the small rim of the C_3v symmetrical trimethyl ether derivative of tBu-calix[6]arene with N-Boc-2-chloroethylamine to yield a novel calix[6]arene synthon. Its combined O-alkylation with a chloromethyl aromatic amine and N-deprotection or alkylation or reductive alkylation with a salicylaldehyde derivative yielded the calix[6]arene-based ligands with mixed N/O donors.     

Demethoxycarbonylation and oxidation of 13(S/R)-hydroxy-chlorophyll a to 13-demethoxycarbonyl-13-oxo-chlorophyll a and Mg-purpurin-18 phytyl ester

The conversion of 13²(S/R)-hydroxy-chlorophyll (Chl) a to 13²-demethoxycarbonyl-13²-oxo-Chl a in a yield of 40%, utilizing a simple pyrolysis technique, is described. About 10% of the phytyl ester of Mg-purpurin-18 was formed as a side product. The completely assigned ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra are presented for 13²-demethoxycarbonyl-13²-oxo-Chl a and a likely mechanism for its formation is proposed. A slight extension of this mechanism also explains the formation of the Mg-purpurin-18 side product. The proposed mechanism has several features comparable with those previously suggested for the allomerization of 13²(R/S)-Chl a. Attempts to apply the same pyrolysis method to prepare 13²-demethoxycarbonyl-13²-oxo-Chl b from 13²(S/R)-hydroxy-Chl b were unsuccessful.     

The enolate anions of chlorophylls a and b as ambident nucleophiles in oxidations with (−)- or (+)-(10-camphorsulfonyl)oxaziridine. Synthesis of 13(S/R)-hydroxychlorophylls a and b

The enolate anions of chlorophylls (Chl) are ambident nucleophiles that are of considerable organic chemical interest in relation to the theory of electron delocalization (aromaticity) and charge-transfer in large conjugated π-systems, as well as for their chemical reactivity. Under deaerated conditions, the (−)- and (+)-enantiomers of (10-camphorsulfonyl)oxaziridine (CSOAI) are effective oxidants for the enolate anions of Chl a and Chl b, when 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) serves as a base. In this study, the use of these sterically hindered reagents to hydroxylate Chl a and Chl b is described for the first time. The total yield of 13²(S/R)-HO-Chl a was 71 and 90% for the oxidations of Chl a with (−)-CSOAI and (+)-CSOAI, respectively. Chl b, however, behaved clearly differently from Chl a. The total yield of 13²(S/R)-HO-Chl b was 40% in the oxidation with (−)-CSOAI and 60% in the reaction with (+)-CSOAI. A competing side-reaction, which resulted in the 15²-methyl, 17³-phytyl ester of Mg-15¹(S/R)-unstable rhodin, was found to lower the yields of the desired main products. The formation of the side-products was largely avoided and the yield of 13²(S/R)-HO-Chl b was improved by increasing the volume of hexane and using phosphate buffer in the first step of the work-up. With (−)-CSOAI, a 94% diastereomeric excess (de) was achieved for 13²(R)-HO-Chl a, whereas the de for 13²(R)-HO-Chl b was 66%. With (+)-CSOAI, the de was 10% for 13²(R)-HO-Chl a and 8% for 13²(R)-HO-Chl b. The results were interpreted in terms of a nucleophilic reaction mechanism, kinetically controlled by steric hindrance, originating on the one hand in the 17-propionate phytyl ester side-chain, protruding over the isocyclic ring E of the Chl enolate ion, and on the other hand in the bulky camphorsulfonyl unit of CSOAI. Possible reasons for the different results from the Chl b oxidations as compared with those of the Chl a oxidations are discussed. Comparison of the differences in the NMR δ_C-values between 13²(S)- and 13²(R)-HO-Chl a as well as those between 13²(S)- and 13²(R)-HO-Chl b, indicated that the change of stereochemical configuration at C-13² induces only slight differences in the δ_C-values. Of special interest are the δ_C-values of C-13², which are at ca. 91 ppm for the a- and b-series diastereomers. This carbon is deshielded by ca. 25 ppm relative to the C-13² of 13²(R)-Chl a (δ_C=65.5). Owing to this, ¹³C NMR spectroscopy is a good method to distinguish the 13²-hydroxylated chlorophylls from the intact, naturally occurring chlorophylls.     

Étude de la complexation des lanthanides trivalents par les six isomères de l'acide diaminocyclohexane-tétraacétique : Partie 3. Relation entre les Constantes d'Acidité et la Structure Moleculaire des Chélatants

(Study of the complexation of trivalent lanthanides by the six isomers of diaminocyclohexanetetraacetic acid. Part 3. Relationship between the acidity constants and the molecular structure of the ligands.)Potentiometric measurements of the acidity constants of the six isomers of diaminocyclohexane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid (DCTA) are reported for an ionic strength of 1 mol l^?1 (KCl) at 25°C. The values of the two constants K_a3 and K_a4 are correlated with the maximum N—N distance for each ligand. Ethylenediamine-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid (EDTA) and some homologous ligands, including specially synthesized, 1,8-diaminooctane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid and 1,10-diaminodecane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid, are studied under the same conditions. It is proved that there is a relationship between the molecular structure and the affinity for protons.