Molecular mechanism of propane oxidative dehydrogenation on surface oxygen radical sites of VO<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> catalysts

Minimum energy pathways of propane oxidative dehydrogenation to propene and propanol on supported vanadium oxide catalyst VO _x /TiO₂ were studied by periodic discrete Fourier transform (DFT) using a surface oxygen radical as the active site. The propene formation pathway was shown to consist of two consecutive hydrogen abstraction steps. The first step includes C_β–H bond activation of propane followed by the formation of a surface hydroxyl group V–O _t H and a propyl radical n-C₃H₇. This step with the activation energy E* = 0.56 eV (54.1 kJ/mol) appears to be rate-determining. The second step involves the reaction of the bridging O _b oxygen atom with the methylene C–H bond of propyl radical n-C₃H₇ followed by the formation of a hydroxylated surface site HO _t –V⁴⁺–O _b H and propene. The initial steps of the C–H bond activation during propane conversion to propanol and propene by ODH on V⁵⁺–(O _t O _b )^? active sites are identical. The obtained results demonstrate that participation of surface oxygen radicals as the active sites of propane ODH makes it possible to explain relatively low activation energies observed for this reaction on the most active catalysts. The presence of very active radical species in low concentration seems to be the key factor for obtaining high selectivity.     

Production and Biotechnological Application of Extracellular Alkalophilic Lipase from Marine Macroalga-Associated <Emphasis Type="Italic">Shewanella algae</Emphasis> to Produce Enriched C<Subscript>20-22</Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Concentrate

An extracellular alkalophilic lipase was partially purified from heterotrophic Shewanella algae (KX 272637) associated with marine macroalgae Padina gymnospora. The enzyme possessed a molecular mass of 20 kD, and was purified 60-fold with a specific activity of 36.33 U/mg. The enzyme exhibited V_max and K_m of 1000 mM/mg/min and 157 mM, respectively, with an optimum activity at 55 °C and pH 10.0. The catalytic activity of the enzyme was improved by Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ ions, and the enzyme showed a good tolerance towards organic solvents, such as methanol, isopropanol, and ethanol. The purified lipase hydrolyzed the refined liver oil from leafscale gulper shark Centrophorus squamosus, yielding a total C_20-22 n-3 PUFA concentration of 34.99% with EPA + DHA accounting the major share (34% TFA), after 3 h of hydrolysis. This study recognized the industrial applicability of the thermostable and alkalophilic lipase from marine macroalga-associated bacterium Shewanella algae to produce enriched C_20-22 n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid concentrate.     

Probing Structure,Thermochemistry, Electron Affinity and Magnetic Moment of Erbium-Doped Silicon Clusters ErSi<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis> = 3–10) and Their Anions with Density Functional Theory

The lowest energy structures and electronic properties of ErSi _n (n = 3–10) and their anions were probed using the ABCluster global search technique combined with the PBE, TPSSh and B3LYP schemes. The lowest energy energies of neutral ErSi _n (n = 3–10) can be regarded as substituting a Si atom of the lowest energy structure of Si_n+1 with a Er atom. The additional electron effects on the geometries are very strong, resulting the lowest energy structures of ErSi _n ^? with n > 6 are different from their neutral counterparts. Starting from n = 7, the potential energy surfaces of ErSi _n ^? are very flat, resulting isomeric arrangements occur and functional dependence of the predicted most stable structures exist. The AEAs, VDEs and simulated PES of ErSi _n (n = 3–10) are reported. Introducing Er to Si cluster can significantly improve photochemical reactivity of the cluster. The 4f electron of Er atom in ErSi₄, ErSi _n ^? (n = 4, 7–10) prefers to take part in bonding. The total magnetic moments of ErSi _n and their anions are mainly provided by the 4f electrons of Er atom. The dissociation energies of Er from ErSi _n and their anions were evaluated to inspect relative stability.     

Phase transitions in paraffins, <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-alkane alcohols,and <Emphasis Type="Italic">α,ω</Emphasis>-alkane diols with different chain lengths

A comparative analysis of phase transitions in paraffins (C _n H_2n+2), n-alkane alcohols (C _n H_2n+1OH), and α,ω-alkane diols ?ubC _n H_2n (OH)₂?ub; has been performed via differential scanning calorimetry. The elimination of methodical errors makes it possible to calculate the true values of thermodynamic parameters of phase transitions and to gain insight into their nature. Methods of finding true heat capacity jumps in the region of low-temperature solid-phase transitions of the first order and high-temperature order-disorder transitions of the second-order have been proposed. The quantitative analysis of heat capacity jump profiles has been performed within the framework of the first-order diffuse transition theory and Landau’s theory of order-disorder transitions.     

Exact treatment of generalized modifications of finite-dimensional systems by the LRM approach

LRM (Low Rank Modification) is a mathematical method that produces eigenvalues and eigenstates of generalized eigenvalue equations. It is similar to the perturbation expansion in that it assumes the knowledge of the eigenvalues and eigenstates of some related (unperturbed) system. However, unlike perturbation expansion, LRM produces correct results however large the modification of the original system. LRM of finite-dimensional systems is here generalized to the combined (external and internal) modifications. Parent n-dimensional system A _n containing n eigenvalues λ _i and n eigenstates \({| {\Phi_i}\rangle}\) is described by the generalized n × n eigenvalue equation. In an external modification system A _n interacts with another ρ-dimensional system B _ρ which is situated outside the system A _n . In an internal modification relatively small σ-dimensional subsystem of the parent system A _n is modified. Modified system C _n+ρ that contains external as well as internal modifications is described by the generalized (n + ρ) × (n + ρ) eigenvalue equation. This system has (n + ρ) eigenvalues \({\varepsilon_s}\) and (n + ρ) corresponding eigenstates \({| {\Psi_s}\rangle}\) . In LRM this generalized (ρ + n) × (ρ + n) eigenvalue equation is replaced with a (nonlinear) (ρ + σ) × (ρ + σ) equation which produces all eigenvalues \({\varepsilon_s \notin \left\{ {\lambda_i}\right\}}\) and all the corresponding eigenstates \({| {\Psi_s}\rangle }\) of C _{n + ρ}. Another equation produces remaining solutions (if any) that satisfy \({\varepsilon_s \in \left\{ {\lambda_i}\right\}}\) . Those two equations produce exact solution of the modified system C _{n + ρ}. If (ρ + σ) is small with respect to n, this approach is numerically much more efficient than a standard diagonalization of the original generalized eigenvalue equation. Unlike perturbation expansion, LRM produces exact results, however large modification of the parent system A _n .     

Synthesis and characterization of a new monophosphate (C<Subscript>6</Subscript>H<Subscript>16</Subscript>N<Subscript>2</Subscript>)(H<Subscript>2</Subscript>PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Chemical preparation, crystal structure, and NMR spectroscopy of a new trans-2,5-dimethylpiperazinium monophosphate are given. This new compound crystallizes in the triclinic system, with the space group P-1 and the following parameters: a = 6.5033(3), b = 7.6942(4), c = 8.1473(5) Å, α = 114.997(3), β = 92.341(3), γ = 113.136(3), V = 329.14(3) ų, Z = 1, and D_x = 1.565 g cm^?3. The crystal structure has been determined and refined to R = 0.030 and R _w(F ²) = 0.032 using 1558 independent reflections. The structure can be described as infinite [H₂PO₄] _n ^n? chains with (C₆H₁₆N₂)²⁺ organic cations anchored between adjacent polyanions to form columns of anions and cations running along the b axis. This compound has also been investigated by IR, thermal, and solid-state, ¹³C and ³¹P MAS NMR spectroscopies and Ab initio calculations.     

Non-isothermal crystallization kinetics of Ti<Subscript>20</Subscript>Zr<Subscript>20</Subscript>Hf<Subscript>20</Subscript>Be<Subscript>20</Subscript>(Cu<Subscript>50</Subscript>Ni<Subscript>50</Subscript>)<Subscript>20</Subscript> high-entropy bulk metallic glass

The crystallization transformation kinetics of Ti₂₀Zr₂₀Hf₂₀Be₂₀(Cu₅₀Ni₅₀)₂₀ high-entropy bulk metallic glass under non-isothermal conditions are investigated using differential scanning calorimetry. The alloy shows two distinct crystallization events. The activation energies of the crystallization events are determined using Kissinger, Ozawa and Augis–Bennett methodologies. Further, we observe that similar values are obtained using the three equations. The activation energy of the initial crystallization event is observed to be slightly small as compared to that of the second event. This implies that the initial crystallization event may have been easier to be occurred. The local activation energy (E(x)) maximizes in the initial stage of crystallization and keeps dropping in subsequent crystallization process. The non-isothermal crystallization kinetics are further analyzed using the modified Johnson–Mehl–Avrami (JMA) equation. Further, the Avrami exponent values are observed to be 1.5 < n(x) < 2.5 for approximately the entire period of the initial crystallization event and for most instances (0.1 < x < 0.6) of the second crystallization event, which implies that the mechanism of crystallization is significantly controlled by diffusion-controlled two- and three-dimensional growth along with a decreasing nucleation rate.     

Computational Studies on the Mo-Doped Gold Nanoclusters Au<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript>Mo(<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis> = 1–10): Structures,Stabilities and Magnetic Properties

The geometric structures, relative stabilities, magnetic properties of Mo-doped gold clusters Au _n Mo(n = 1–10) have been investigated at the PBE1PBE/def2TZVP level of theory. The results show that molybdenum doping has a significant effect on the geometric structures and electronic properties of Au _n Mo(n = 1–10) clusters. For the lowest energy structures of Au _n Mo(n = 1–10), the two dimensional to three dimensional transition occurs at cluster size n ≥ 8, and their relative stabilities exhibit odd–even oscillation with the change of Au atom number. It is found that charge in corresponding Au _n Mo clusters transfers from Mo atom to Au _n host in the size range n = 1–7, whereas the charge in opposition direction in the size range n = 8–10. In addition, the magnetic properties of Au _n Mo clusters are enhanced after doping single Mo atom into the corresponding gold clusters. Our results are valuable for the design of magnetic material.     

Theoretical investigation on the geometries and electronic properties of cesium–silicon CsSi<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis> = 2–12) clusters

The structures, relative stabilities, and electronic properties of pure Si _n and Cs-doped silicon clusters (n = 2–12) are systematically investigated using the density functional theory at the B3LYP level. The optimized structures indicated that the lowest-energy structures of CsSi _n are similar to those of pure Si _n clusters and prefer the 3-dimensional configuration for n = 3–12. The relative stabilities of CsSi _n clusters are analyzed based on the averaged binding energy, fragmentation energy, second-order energy difference, and HOMO–LUMO energy gap. It is found that CsSi₆ and CsSi₉ are the magic clusters, and the doping of Cs atom reduces the chemical stabilities of Si _n frame. The Mulliken population analysis pointed out that the charges in the corresponding CsSi _n clusters always transfer from Cs atom to Si _n host in the range of 0.80–0.91 electron. In addition, the partial density of states, infrared, and Raman spectra is discussed.     

Conformational analysis and crystal structure of (<Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis>)-3-methyl-4-(<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-tolyldiazenyl)phenol

The single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of the title compound, C₁₄H₁₄N₂O, reveals that an interesting intermolecular or extended structure (hydrogen-bonded polymeric zigzag chains) is formed by linking its monomer units with O–H···N type intermolecular hydrogen bonds. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with a = 5.8151(5) Å, b = 18.106(1) Å, c = 11.515(1) Å  and β = 96.891(7)°. In order to understand better its structural aspects in solid state, quantum chemical (PM3) calculations were performed on a part of the extended structure of the title compound containing ten monomers. To determine in vacuo conformational flexibility of the compound, molecular energy profile of the title compound was obtained with respect to a selected torsional degree of freedom and the pedal angle varied from ?180° to +180° in every 10°. The results from the computational study suggest that hydrogen-bonding properties in the crystal lattice is fundamental in determining the crystallographically observed conformation of the title compound.     

Structure,bioactivity and theoretical study of 1-cyano-<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-p-tolylcyclo-propanecarboxamide

A novel cyclopropane derivative, 1-cyano-N-p-tolylcyclopropanecarboxamide (C₁₂H₁₂N₂O, Mr = 200.24) was synthesized and its structure was studied by X-ray diffraction, FTIR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectrum and MS. The crystals are monoclinic, space group P2_1/c with a = 7.109 (4), b = 13.758 (7), c = 11.505 (6) Å, α = 90.00, β = 102.731 (8), γ = 90.00 °, V = 1097.6 (9) ų, Z = 4, F(000) = 312, D _c  = 1.212 g/cm³, μ = 0.0800 mm^?1, the final R = 0.0490 and wR = 0.1480 for 1,375 observed reflections with I > 2σ(I). A total of 6,109 reflections were collected, of which 2,290 were independent (R _int = 0.0290). Theoretical calculation of the title compound was carried out with HF/6-31G (d,p), B3LYP/6-31G (d,p), MP2/6-31G (d,p). The full geometry optimization was carried out using 6-31G(d,p) basis set, and the frontier orbital energy. Atomic net charges were discussed, and the structure-activity relationship was also studied. The preliminary biological test showed that the synthesized compound is bioactive against the KARI of Escherichia coli.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of Palladium(II) complex bearing <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-Heterocyclic Carbene

Trans-Bis[1,3-bis(2,4-dimethylphenylimidazolidin-2-ylidene)]dichloropalladium(II), 4, was prepared from 1,3-bis(2,4-dimetilphenyl)imidazoliniumchloride. The crystal and molecular structure of 4 have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The title compound, C₃₈H₄₄N₄PdCl₂, crystalizes in the monoclinic space group P 21/n with a = 13.8713(9) Å, b = 12.1365(6) Å, c = 21.5499(15) Å. The Pd atom has a slightly distorted square planar coordination geometry. The molecules of the title compound are linked by C–H···Cl weak hydrogen bonds into two-dimensional sheets parallel to the (001) plane. In addition, the title compound was characterized by elemental analyses and NMR spectroscopy.     

A comparison of energy changes accompanying growth processes by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccharomyces cerevisiae</Emphasis>

Calculations are made using the equations Δ_r G = Δ_r H ? TΔ_r S and Δ_r X = Δ_r H ? Δ_r Q where Δ_r X represents the free energy change when the exchange of absorbed thermal energy with the environment is represented by Δ_r Q. The symbol Q has traditionally represented absorbed heat. However, here it is used specifically to represent the enthalpy listed in tabulations of thermodynamic properties as (H _T  ? H ₀) at T = 298.15 K, the reason being that for a given substance TS equals 2.0 Q for solid substances, with the difference being greater for liquids, and especially gases. Since Δ_r H can be measured, and is tangibly the same no matter what thermodynamics are used to describe a reaction equation, a change in the absorbed heat of a biochemical growth process system as represented by either Δ_r Q or TΔ_r S would be expected to result in a different calculated value for the free energy change. Calculations of changes in thermodynamic properties are made which accompany anabolism; the formation of anabolic, organic by-products; catabolism; metabolism; and their respective non-conservative reactions; for the growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae using four growth process systems. The result is that there is only about a 1% difference in the average quantity of free energy conserved during growth using either Eq. 1 or 2. This is because although values of TΔ_r S and Δ_r Q can be markedly different when compared to one another, these differences are small when compared to the value for Δ_r G or Δ_r X.     

The response electron–electron repulsion energy and energy component analysis in CC/MBPT methods

Molecular properties are computed as responses to perturbations (energy derivatives) in coupled-cluster (CC)/many-body perturbation theory (MBPT) models. Here, the CC/MBPT energy derivative with respect to a general two-electron (2-e) perturbation is assembled from gradient theory for 2-e property evaluation, including the electron repulsion energy. The correlation energy (?E) is shown to be the sum of response kinetic (?T), electron–nuclear attraction (?V), and electron repulsion (?V _ee ) energies. Thus, evaluation of total V _ee for energy component analysis is simple: For total energy (E), total 1-e responses T and V, and nuclear–nuclear repulsion energy (V _NN ), V _ee  = E ? V _NN  ? T ? V is the true 2-e response value. Component energy analysis is illustrated in an assessment of steric repulsion in ethane’s rotational barrier. Earlier SCF-based results (Bader et al. in J Am Chem Soc 112:6530, 1990) are corroborated: The higher-energy eclipsed geometry is favored versus staggered in the two repulsion energies (V _NN and V _ee ), while decisively disfavored in electron–nuclear attraction energy (V). Our best quality calculations (CCSD/cc-pVQZ) attain practical Virial Theorem compliance (i.e., agreement among the kinetic energy, potential energy, and total energy representations) in assigning 2.70 ± 0.06 to the barrier height; ?195.80 kcal/mol is assigned to the drop in “steric” repulsion upon going to the eclipsed geometry. Steric repulsion is not responsible for any fraction of the ~3 kcal/mol barrier.     

Heat capacities and thermal diffusivities of <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-alkane acid ethyl esters—biodiesel fuel components

The heat capacities and thermal diffusivities of ethyl esters of liquid n-alkane acids C _n H_2n–1O₂C₂H₅ with the number of carbon atoms in the parent acid n = 10, 11, 12, 14, and 16 are measured. The heat capacities are measured using a DSC 204 F1 Phoenix heat flux differential scanning calorimeter (Netzsch, Germany) in the temperature range of 305–375 K. Thermal diffusivities are measured by means of laser flash method on an LFA-457 instrument (Netzsch, Germany) at temperatures of 305–400 K. An equation is derived for the dependence of the molar heat capacities of the investigated esters on temperature. It is shown that the dependence of molar heat capacity C _p,m (298.15 K) on n (n = 1–6) is close to linear. The dependence of thermal diffusivity on temperature in the investigated temperature range is described by a first-degree polynomial, but thermal diffusivity a (298.15 K) as a function of n has a minimum at n = 5.     

The inductive effect of a radical center and transferability of the properties of functional groups in <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-alkyl radicals

Electron density distribution in n-alkyl radicals (from ethyl to n-octyl) was studied by the B3LYP/6-311++G(3df,3pd) DFT method. The theory of atoms in molecules was used to show that the inductive effect of a free valence extends to two neighboring CH₂ groups. The electronegativities χ(C^?H₂) > χ(CH₃) > χ(CH₂) of groups and χ(C^?) > χ(H) > χ(C) atoms were qualitatively determined. The group method for calculating the enthalpies of formation of n-alkyl radicals Δ_f H°(n-C _n H_{2n+ 1}, n > 5) was substantiated.     

Molecular and crystal structure of 15-acetylsongorine and songoramine isolated from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aconitum szechenyianum</Emphasis> Gay

Two napelline skeletal diterpenoid alkaloids 15-acetylsongorine, C₂₄H₃₃NO₄ I, and songoramine, C₂₂H₂₉NO₃ II, were first isolated from the roots of Aconitum Szechenyianum Gay. The crystal structures were determined by X-ray single-crystal diffraction analysis. The crystal I is the triclinic system with space group P1 having unit cell parameters of a = 9.360(8) Å, b = 11.593(9) Å, c = 11.830(16) Å, α = 113.223(15)°, β = 105.950(16)°, γ = 101.296(12)°, and Z = 2. Hydrogen bonds O–H···O and O–H···N joint the molecules into dimer. The crystal II belongs to the orthorhombic system with space group P2₁2₁2₁ having unit cell parameters of a = 8.950(2) Å, b = 13.272(3) Å, c = 15.454(4) Å and Z = 4. The O–H···O hydrogen bonding interaction links the molecule into linear chains. The distortion of rings of compound I and II were evaluated by calculation of the Cremer and Pople puckering parameters. The presence of the C–O–C bond in the compound II results in the changes of ring conformations compared with that of the compound I.     

Structural and vibrational investigation of 1, 2-<Emphasis Type="Italic">bis</Emphasis>(3, 4-dimethoxyphenyl) ethane-1, 2-dione (Veratril): experimental and theoretical studies

The molecular and crystal structures of 1,2-bis(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethane-1,2-dione (TMBZ = tetramethoxybenzil) were determined by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction, ¹H NMR, and FT-IR spectroscopy. The compound TMBZ (C₁₈H₁₈O₆, M _r = 330.32) crystallized in the orthorhombic Fdd2 space group wherein: a = 39.145(4), b = 18.167(2), c = 4.3139(5) Å and β = 90°, Z = 8. The packing of the molecules in the crystal lattice is stabilized by intermolecular C–H?O contacts in the herringbone arrangement. The molecular geometry and harmonic frequencies of TMBZ in the ground state were calculated utilizing density functional (B3LYP) method with the 6-311++G(d, p)-basis set. The density functional theory optimized the geometric structure, and vibrational wave numbers of TMBZ in gas phase were compared with the experimental data. A complete assignment of the fundamentals was proposed based on the total energy distribution calculation.     

Synthesis,characterization, antimicrobial activity and ultrastructure of the affected bacteria of new quinoline compounds

The reaction on 8-hydroxy quinoline-7-aldehyde azo compounds (HL _n ) (where n = 1–5) with 4-amino-1,2-dihydro-2,3-dimethyl-1-phenylpyrazol-5-one to obtain HL _n (where n = 6–10) have been characterized by means of TLC, melting point and spectral data, such as IR, ¹H NMR, mass spectra and thermal studies. The X-ray diffraction patterns of two starting materials 8-hydroxy quinoline-7-aldehyde (start 1), 4-amino-1,2-dihydro-2,3-dimethyl-1-phenylpyrazol-5-one (start 2) and the ligands (HL_5,10) are investigated in powder form. All the ligands have been screened for their antimicrobial activity against four local bacterial species, two Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus) and two Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae) as well as against four local fungi; Aspergillus niger, Alternaria alternata, Penicillium italicum and Fusarium oxysporium. The results show that the azo ligands (HL _n ) (where n = 1–5) have no antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi while most azomethine ligands (HL _n ) (where n = 6–10) are good antibacterial agents against E. coli and K. pneumoniae as well as antifungal agents against P. italicum and A. alternata. The results were compared to standard substances (start 1) and (start 2). Among the azomethine ligands, HL₁₀ was the most effective against the most microorganisms tested. The size of clear zone was ordered as p-(OCH₃ < CH₃ < H < Cl < NO₂) as expected from Hammett’s constant (σ ^R ). Also, the ultrastructure study of the affected bacteria confirmed that HL₈ is good antibacterial agent against E. coli and S. aureus.     

Tyrosine alkyl esters as prodrug: the structure and intermolecular interactions of <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-tyrosine methyl ester compared to <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-tyrosine and its ethyl and <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-butyl esters

l-Tyrosine alkyl esters are used as prodrugs for l-tyrosine. Although prodrugs are often designed for their behavior in solution, understanding their solid-state properties is the first step in mastering drug delivery. The crystal structure of l-tyrosine methyl ester has been determined and compared to published structures of l-tyrosine and its ethyl and n-butyl esters. It is almost isostructural with the other esters: it crystallizes in the orthorhombic chiral space group P2₁2₁2₁, a = 5.7634(15) Å, b = 12.111(2) Å, c = 14.3713(19) Å, V = 1003.1(4) Å³ with Z′ = 1. Their main packing motif is a C(9) infinite hydrogen-bond chain, but the conformation of l-tyrosine methyl ester is different from the other two: eclipsed versus U-shaped, respectively. The published structure of the ethyl ester, which was incomplete, has been confirmed by X-ray powder diffraction data. Because l-tyrosine methyl ester is very stable (28 years stored at room temperature), and its hydrolysis rate is relatively low, it should be one of the better prodrugs among the alkyl esters of tyrosine.