Structure of the Aqua Ions and Fluoride Complexes of Uranium(IV) and Thorium(IV) in Aqueous Solution an EXAFS Study

The structures of aqueous M(4+)(aq) and MF(3+)(aq), where M is uranium(IV) or thorium(IV), have been determined by L(III) edge EXAFS using data from solutions of 1.5 M HClO(4) in which the M(IV) concentrations ranged from 0.03 to 0.3 M. A least-squares refinement of the data for the aqua ions indicated 10.8 +/- 0.5 water molecules in the first hydration sphere of both ions and M-O bond distances for U(IV) and Th(IV) of 2.42 +/- 0.01 and 2.45 +/- 0.01 ?, respectively. By considering both previous structure information and the EXAFS data, we selected N = 10 +/- 1 as the most likely coordination number of both M(IV) aqua ions. EXAFS measurements from acidic aqueous uranium(IV) and thorium(IV) solutions containing fluoride show that large changes in the first coordination sphere occur. The experimental data indicates an asymmetrical distribution of the distances, probably as a result of differing M-F and M-O bond lengths. These can be described by a model that contains two different bond distances, one M-F distance at 2.10 ? and one M-O distance at 2.45 ? for U(IV); for Th(IV), the corresponding distances are 2.14 and 2.48 ?. The total coordination number in this model is unchanged from the aqua ions, i.e., 10 +/- 1.     

Electron transfer in uranyl(VI)-uranyl(V) complexes in solution

The rates and mechanisms of the electron self-exchange between U(V) and U(VI) in solution have been studied with quantum chemical methods. Both outer-sphere and inner-sphere mechanisms have been investigated; the former for the aqua ions, the latter for binuclear complexes containing hydroxide, fluoride, and carbonate as bridging ligand. The calculated rate constant for the self-exchange reaction UO(2)(+)(aq) + UO(2)(2+)(aq) <=>UO(2)(2+)(aq) + UO(2)(+)(aq), at 25 degrees C, is k = 26 M(-1) s(-1). The lower limit of the rate of electron transfer in the inner-sphere complexes is estimated to be in the range 2 x 10(4) to 4 x 10(6) M(-1) s(-1), indicating that the rate for the overall exchange reaction may be determined by the rate of formation and dissociation of the binuclear complex. The activation energy for the outer-sphere model calculated from the Marcus model is nearly the same as that obtained by a direct calculation of the precursor- and transition-state energy. A simple model with one water ligand is shown to recover 60% of the reorganization energy. This finding is important because it indicates the possibility to carry out theoretical studies of electron-transfer reactions involving M(3+) and M(4+) actinide species that have eight or nine water ligands in the first coordination sphere.     

Al3+, Ca2+, Mg2+, and Li+ in aqueous solution: calculated first-shell anharmonic OH vibrations at 300 K

The anharmonic OH stretching vibrational frequencies, ν(OH), for the first-shell water molecules around the Li(+), Ca(2+), Mg(2+), and Al(3+) ions in dilute aqueous solutions have been calculated based on classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and quantum-mechanical (QM) calculations. For Li(+)(aq), Ca(2+)(aq), Mg(2+)(aq), and Al(3+)(aq), our calculated IR frequency shifts, Δν(OH), with respect to the gas-phase water frequency, are about -300, -350, -450, and -750?cm(-1), compared to -290, -290, -420, and -830?cm(-1) from experimental infrared (IR) studies. The agreement is thus quite good, except for the order between Li(+) and Ca(2+). Given that the polarizing field from the Ca(2+) ion ought to be larger than that from Li(+)(aq), our calculated result seems reasonable. Also the absolute OH frequencies agree well with experiment. The method we used is a sequential four-step procedure: QM(electronic) to make a force field+MD simulation+QM(electronic) for point-charge-embedded M(n+) (H(2)O)(y) (second?shell) (H(2)O)(z) (third?shell) clusters+QM(vibrational) to yield the OH spectrum. The many-body Ca(2+)-water force-field presented in this paper is new. IR intensity-weighting of the density-of-states frequency distributions was carried out by means of the squared dipole moment derivatives.     

Raman spectroscopic determination of equilibrium constants of uranyl sulphate complexes in aqueous solutions

Raman spectra are used to determine the formation constants of uranyl sulphate complexes in aqueous solutions at 20 degrees and remedy the confusion existing in this area in the available literature. Solutions with a varying total sulphate concentration and an ionic strength lower than 0.4M are analysed. The species UO(2)SO(4) and UO(2)(SO(4))(2-)(2) are characterized by a resolved Raman band at 861 cm(-1) and an unresolved one at 852 cm(-1), corresponding to the uranyl symmetrical stretching vibration. The equilibrium constants, in term of activity (standard state 1M), are found to be about 1400 and 11, respectively, for the consecutive reactions: UO(2+)(2)(aq)+SO(2-)(4)(aq)=UO(2)SO(4)(aq) and UO(2)SO(4)(aq)+SO(2-)(4)(aq)=UO(2)(SO(4))(2-)(2)(aq).     

Molecular-dynamics simulations of alkaline-earth metal cations in water by atom-bond electronegativity equalization method fused into molecular mechanics

Intermolecular potential for alkaline-earth metal (Be(2+), Mg(2+), and Ca(2+)) cations in water has been derived using the atom-bond electronegativity equalization method fused into molecular mechanics (ABEEM/MM), and it is consistent with what was previously applied to the hydration study of the monovalent cations. Parameters for the effective interaction between a cation and a water molecule were determined, reproducing the ab initio results. The static, dynamic, and thermodynamic properties of Be(2+)(aq), Mg(2+)(aq), and Ca(2+)(aq) were studied using these potential parameters. Be(2+) requires a more complicated form of the potential function than Mg(2+) and Ca(2+) in order to obtain better fits. Strong influences of the twofold charged cations on the structures of the hydration shells and some other properties of aqueous ionic solutions are discussed and compared with the results of a previous study of monovalent cations in water. At the same time, comparative study of the hydration properties of each cation is also discussed. This work demonstrates that ABEEM/MM provides a useful tool in the exploration of the hydration of double-charged cations in water.     

Temperature effects on ion association and hydration in MgSO4 by dielectric spectroscopy.

A detailed investigation of aqueous solutions of magnesium sulfate has been made by dielectric relaxation spectroscopy (DRS) over a wide range of frequencies (0.2 MgSO(4) (0)(aq) is in good agreement with literature data at lower temperatures but is overestimated at higher temperatures due to processing difficulties. Despite the limited precision of the spectra, analysis of the individual steps in the ion-association process is possible for the first time. The 2SIPs are formed with little disturbance to their hydration shells, the (partial) destruction of which appears to occur mostly during the formation of SIPs. Effective hydration numbers derived from the DRS spectra indicate that both Mg(2+) and SO(4) (2-) influence solvent water molecules beyond their first hydration spheres but that MgSO(4)(aq) is less strongly hydrated than the previously studied CuSO(4)(aq).     

Density functional theory-based prediction of the formation constants of complexes of ammonia in aqueous solution: indications of the role of relativistic effects in the solution chemistry of gold(I)

A prediction of the formation constants (log K1) for complexes of metal ions with a single NH3 ligand in aqueous solution, using quantum mechanical calculations, is reported. DeltaG values at 298 K in the gas phase for eq 1 (DeltaG(DFT)) were calculated for 34 metal ions using density functional theory (DFT), with the expectation that these would correlate with the free energy of complex formation in aqueous solution (DeltaG(aq)). [M(H2O)6]n+(g) + NH(3)(g) = [M(H2O)5NH3]n+(g) + H2O(g) (eq 1). The DeltaG(aq) values include the effects of complex changes in solvation on complex formation, which are not included in eq 1. It was anticipated that such changes in solvation would be constant or vary systematically with changes in the log K(1) value for different metal ions; therefore, simple correlations between DeltaG(DFT) and DeltaG(aq) were sought. The bulk of the log K1(NH3) values used to calculate DeltaG(aq) were not experimental, but estimated previously (Hancock 1978, 1980) from a variety of empirical correlations. Separate linear correlations between DeltaG(DFT) and DeltaG(aq) for metal ions of different charges (M2+, M3+, and M4+) were found. In plots of DeltaG(DFT) versus DeltaG(aq), the slopes ranged from 2.201 for M2+ ions down to 1.076 for M4+ ions, with intercepts increasing from M2+ to M4+ ions. Two separate correlations occurred for the M3+ ions, which appeared to correspond to small metal ions with a coordination number (CN) of 6 and to large metal ions with a higher CN in the vicinity of 7-9. The good correlation coefficients (R) in the range of 0.97-0.99 for all these separate correlations suggest that the approach used here may be the basis for future predictions of aqueous phase chemistry that would otherwise be experimentally inaccessible. Thus, the log K1(NH3) value for the transuranic Lr3+, which has a half-life of 3.6 h in its most stable isotope, is predicted to be 1.46. These calculations should also lead to a greater insight into the factors governing complex formation in aqueous solution. All of the above DFT calculations involved corrections for scalar relativistic effects (RE). Au has been described (Koltsoyannis 1997) as a "relativistic element". The chief effect of RE for group 11 ions is to favor linear coordination geometry and greatly increase covalence in the M-L bond. The correlation for M+ ions (H+, Cu+, Ag+, Au+) involved the preferred linear coordination of the [M(H2O)2]+ complexes, so that the DFT calculations of DeltaG for the gas-phase reaction in eq 2 were carried out for M = H+, Cu+, Ag+, and Au+. [M(H2O)2]+(g) + NH3(g) = [M(H2O)NH3]+(g) + H2O(g) (eq 2). Additional DFT calculations for eq 2 were carried out omitting corrections for RE. These indicated, in the absence of RE, virtually no change in the log K1(NH3) value for H+, a small decrease for Cu+, and a larger decrease for Ag+. There would, however, be a very large decrease in the log K1(NH3) value for Au(I) from 9.8 (RE included) to 1.6 (RE omitted). These results suggest that much of "soft" acid behavior in aqueous solution in the hard and soft acid-base classification of Pearson may be the result of RE in the elements close to Au in the periodic table.     

Electron transfer in neptunyl(VI)-neptunyl(V) complexes in solution

The rates and mechanisms of the electron self-exchange between Np(V) and Np(VI) in solution have been studied with quantum chemical methods and compared with previous results for the U(V)-U(VI) pair. Both outer-sphere and inner-sphere mechanisms have been investigated, the former for the aqua ions, the latter for binuclear complexes containing hydroxide, fluoride, and carbonate as bridging ligand. Solvent effects were calculated using the Marcus equation for the outer-sphere reactions and using a nonequilibrium PCM method for the inner-sphere reactions. The nonequilibrium PCM appeared to overestimate the solvent effect for the outer-sphere reactions. The calculated rate constant for the self-exchange reaction NpO2(+)(aq) + NpO2(2+)(aq) right harpoon over left harpoon NpO2(2+)(aq) + NpO2(+)(aq), at 25 degrees C is k = 67 M(-1) s(-1), in fair agreement with the observed rates 0.0063-15 M(-1) s(-1). The differences between the Np(V)-Np(VI) and the U(V)-U(VI) pairs are minor.     

Chelate effect and thermodynamics of metal complex formation in solution: a quantum chemical study

The accuracy of quantum chemical predictions of structures and thermodynamic data for metal complexes depends both on the quantum chemical methods and the chemical models used. A thermodynamic analogue of the Eigen-Wilkins mechanism for ligand substitution reactions (Model A) turns out to be sufficiently simple to catch the essential chemistry of complex formation reactions and allows quantum chemical calculations at the ab initio level of thermodynamic quantities both in gas phase and solution; the latter by using the conductor-like polarizable continuum (CPCM) model. Model A describes the complex formation as a two-step reaction: 1. [M(H2O)x](aq) + L(aq) <==>[M(H2O)x], L(aq); 2. [M(H2O)x], L(aq) <==>[M(H2O)(x-1)L],(H2O)(aq). The first step, the formation of an outer-sphere complex is described using the Fuoss equation and the second, the intramolecular exchange between an entering ligand from the second and water in the first coordination shell, using quantum chemical methods. The thermodynamic quantities for this model were compared to those for the reaction: [M(H2O)x](aq) + L(aq) <==>[M(H2O)(x-1)L](aq) + (H2O)(aq) (Model B), as calculated for each reactant and product separately. The models were tested using complex formation between Zn(2+) and ammonia, methylamine, and ethylenediamine, and complex formation and chelate ring closure reactions in binary and ternary UO(2)(2+)-oxalate systems. The results show that the Gibbs energy of reaction for Model A are not strongly dependent on the number of water ligands and the structure of the second coordination sphere; it provides a much more precise estimate of the thermodynamics of complex formation reactions in solution than that obtained from Model B. The agreement between the experimental and calculated data for the formation of Zn(NH(3))(2+)(aq) and Zn(NH(3))(2)(2+)(aq) is better than 8 kJ/mol for the former, as compared to 30 kJ/mol or larger, for the latter. The Gibbs energy of reaction obtained for the UO(2)(2+) oxalate systems using model B differs between 80 and 130 kJ/mol from the experimental results, whereas the agreement with Model A is better. The errors in the quantum chemical estimates of the entropy and enthalpy of reaction are somewhat larger than those for the Gibbs energy, but still in fair agreement with experiments; adding water molecules in the second coordination sphere improves the agreement significantly. Reasons for the different performance of the two models are discussed. The quantum chemical data were used to discuss the microscopic basis of experimental enthalpy and entropy data, to determine the enthalpy and entropy contributions in chelate ring closure reactions and to discuss the origin of the so-called "chelate effect". Contrary to many earlier suggestions, this is not even in the gas phase, a result of changes in translation entropy contributions. There is no simple explanation of the high stability of chelate complexes; it is a result of both enthalpy and entropy contributions that vary from one system to the other.     

Copper(II) complexes of novel N-alkylated derivatives of cis,cis-1,3,5-triaminocyclohexane. 1. Preparation and structure

Novel N,N',N' '-trialkylated derivatives of cis,cis-1,3,5-triaminocyclohexane (tach), designated tach-R(3), were prepared through alkylation of N-protected tach with subsequent acid deprotection, to afford N-methyl, N-ethyl, and N-n-propyl derivatives as their trihydrobromide salts. The tach-neopentyl(3) and tach-furan(3) derivatives were prepared by formation of the imine from tach and pivaldehyde or furan-2-carboxaldehyde, respectively, followed by reduction of the imine. Complexes [Cu(tach-R(3))Cl(2)] (R = Me, Et, n-Pr, CH(2)-2-thienyl, and CH(2)-2-furanyl) were prepared from CuCl(2) in MeOH or MeOH-Et(2)O solvent. Crystallographic characterization of [Cu(tach-Et(3))Br(0.8)Cl(1.2)] (Pnma, a = 8.2265(1) A, b = 12.5313(1) A, c = 15.3587(3) A, Z = 4) reveals a square-based pyramidal CuN(3)X(2) coordination sphere in which one nitrogen donor occupies the apical position at a slightly longer distance (Cu-N = 2.218(5) A) than those of the basal nitrogens (Cu-N = 2.053(2) A). The solution-phase (pH 7.4 buffered and methanol) and solid-phase structures of [Cu(tach-R(3))Cl(2)] have been studied extensively by EPR and visible-near-IR spectroscopies. The square-based pyramidal structure is retained in solution, according to correspondence of solution and solid-state data. In aqueous solution, halide is replaced by water, as indicated by the high-energy UV-vis spectral shifts and bonding parameters of [Cu(tach-Et(3))](2+)(aq) derived from EPR data. The proposed aqueous-phase species, in the pH range 7.4 to 10.1, is [Cu(tach-Et(3))(H(2)O)(2)](2+). The complex [Cu(tach-Me(3))](2+)(aq) does not appear to dimerize or form metal-hydroxo species at pH 7.4, in contrast to other Cu(II)-triamine complexes, e.g., [Cu(1,4,7-triazacyclononane)](2+) (aq) and [Cu(tach-H(3))](2+)(aq) (the complex of unalkylated tach). This difference is attributed to the steric effect of the N-alkyl groups in the tach-R(3) series.     

Quantum chemical studies of the hydration of Sr2+ in vacuum and aqueous solution

The geometric structures of gas-phase Sr(2+) hydrates are calculated quantum chemically by using hybrid (B3LYP) and meta-GGA (TPSS) density functional theory, and a range of thermodynamic data (including sequential bond enthalpies, entropies and free energies for the reactions Sr(2+)(H(2)O)(n-1)+H(2)O→Sr(2+)(H(2)O)(n)) are shown to be in excellent agreement with experiment. When the number of coordinating water molecules exceeds six, such that water begins to occupy the second solvation shell, it is found that detailed analysis based on both geometrical and conformational entropy is required in order to confidently identify the experimentally observed structures. The significant increase in coordination number observed experimentally between the gas- and aqueous-phase species is successfully reproduced, as is the first solvation shell geometry. Inaccurate second shell geometries imply that larger model systems may be required to achieve agreement with experiment. Candidate species for on-going computational studies of the interaction of hydrated Sr(2+) with brucite surfaces have been identified.     

The Standard Chemical-Thermodynamic Properties of Phosphorus and Some of its Key Compounds and Aqueous Species: An Evaluation of Differences between the Previous Recommendations of NBS/NIST and CODATA

The aqueous chemistry of phosphorus is dominated by P(V), which under typical environmental conditions (and depending on pH and concentration) can be present as the orthophosphate species H₃PO ₄ ⁰ (aq),H₂PO ₄ ^? (aq),HPO ₄ ^2? (aq) or PO ₄ ^3? (aq). Many divalent, trivalent and tetravalent metal ions form sparingly soluble orthophosphate phases that, depending on the solution pH and concentrations of phosphate and metal ions, can be solubility limiting phases. Geochemical and chemical engineering modeling of solubilities and speciation require comprehensive thermodynamic databases that include the standard thermodynamic properties for the aqueous species and solid compounds. The most widely used sources for standard thermodynamic properties are the NBS (now NIST) Tables (from 1982 and earlier, with a 1989 erratum) and the final CODATA evaluation (1989). However, a comparison of the reported enthalpies of formation and Gibbs energies of formation for key phosphate compounds and aqueous species, especially H₂PO ₄ ^? (aq) and HPO ₄ ^2? (aq), shows a systematic and nearly constant difference of 6.3 to 6.9 kJ?mol^?1 per phosphorus atom between these two evaluations. The existing literature contains numerous studies (including major data summaries) that are based on one or the other of these evaluations. In this report we examine and identify the origin of this difference and conclude that the CODATA evaluation is more reliable. Values of the standard entropies of the H₂PO ₄ ^? (aq) and HPO ₄ ^2? (aq) ions at 298.15 K and p?° =1 bar were re-examined in the light of more recent information and data not considered in the CODATA review, and a slightly different value of S _m ^o (H₂PO ₄ ^? , aq, 298.15 K) = (90.6±1.5) J?K^?1?mol^?1 was obtained.     

Ultrafast hybridization screening in Fe3+ aqueous solution

We report here on the electron binding energies and ultrafast electronic relaxation of the Fe(3+)(aq) complex in FeCl(3) aqueous solution as measured by soft X-ray photoelectron (PE) spectroscopy from a vacuum liquid microjet. Covalent mixing between the 3d valence orbitals of the iron cation and the molecular orbitals of water in the ground-state solution is directly revealed by spectroscopy of the highest partially occupied molecular orbitals. Valence PE spectra, obtained for photon energies near the iron 2p absorption edge, exhibit large resonant enhancements. These resonant PE features identify 3d-O2p transient hybridization between iron and water-derived orbitals and are an indication of charge transfer within the electronically excited Fe(3+)(aq)* complex. Charge transfer from water to iron is also revealed by the 2p core-level PE spectrum, and the asymmetric peak shape additionally identifies the characteristic multiplet interactions in the 2p core-hole state. The electronic structure of water molecules in the first hydration shell is selectively probed by Auger decay from water molecules, at excitation energies well below the O1s absorption edge of neat water. These experiments lay the groundwork for establishing resonant PE spectroscopy for the study of electronic-structure dynamics in the large family of transition metal (aqueous) solutions.     

Standard characteristics of thermodiffusion of hydrogen chloride in the water-2-propanol system at 298.15 K

The initial and stationary temperature voltage coefficients for symmetric thermogalvanic cells with silver/silver chloride and quinhydrone electrodes in the HCl-H₂O-2-PrOH system are measured at 298.15 K. From the experimental data obtained, the standard entropies of thermodiffusional transfer of the electrolyte, the standard entropies of moving hydrogen and chlorine ions, and the Soret coefficients of HCl in aqueous solutions of 2-propanol are calculated. The influence of the composition of the mixed solvent and the nature of ions on the entropy characteristics is discussed.     

Competitive adsorption of aqueous metal ions on an oxidized nanoporous activated carbon

Competitive adsorption is the usual situation in real applications, and it is of critical importance in determining the overall performance of an adsorbent. In this study, the competitive adsorption characteristics of all the combinations of binary mixtures of aqueous metal ion species Ca2+(aq), Cd2+(aq), Pb2+(aq), and Hg2+(aq) on a functionalized activated carbon were investigated. The porous structure of the functionalized active carbon was characterized using N2 (77 K) and CO2 (273 K) adsorption. The surface group characteristics were examined by temperature-programmed desorption, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, acid/base titrations, and measurement of the point of zero charge (pHpzc). The adsorption of aqueous metal ion species, M2+(aq), on acidic oxygen functional group sites mainly involves an ion exchange mechanism. The ratios of protons displaced to the amount of M2+(aq) metal species adsorbed have a linear relationship for both single-ion and binary mixtures of these species. Hydrolysis of metal species in solution may affect the adsorption, and this is the case for adsorption of Hg2+(aq) and Pb2+(aq). Competitive adsorption decreases the amounts of individual metal ions adsorbed, but the maximum amounts adsorbed still follow the order Hg2+(aq) > Pb2+(aq) > Cd2+(aq) > Ca2+(aq) obtained for single metal ion adsorption. The adsorption isotherms for single metal ion species were used to develop a model for competitive adsorption in binary mixtures, involving exchange of ions in solution with surface proton sites and adsorbed metal ions, with the species having different accessibilities to the porous structure. The model was validated against the experimental data.     

Direct observation of triple ions in aqueous solutions of nickel(II) sulfate: a molecular link between the gas phase and bulk behavior

Electrospray ionization of an aqueous solution of nickel(II) sulfate provides direct experimental evidence for the formation of triple ions of the type [Ni(2)(SO(4))(H(2)O)(n)](2+) and [Ni(SO(4))(2)](2-), whose existence in aqueous solution has previously been proposed based on relaxation spectroscopy [Chen et al. J. Sol. Chem. 2005, 34, 1045]. Formally, these triple ions are formed by aggregation of the solvated ions Ni(2+) and SO(4)(2-), respectively, with the neutral ion pair NiSO(4). In addition, also higher adducts are observed, e.g. the "pentuple ions" [Ni(3)(SO(4))(2)(H(2)O)(n)](2+) (n = 7-9) and [Ni(2)(SO(4))(3)](2-), of which the dicationic is extensively hydrated, whereas the anionic is not. The structures of the dinuclear nickel clusters are derived from ab initio calculations and their infrared spectra are compared with experimental data obtained for the gaseous ions [Ni(2)SO(4)(H(2)O)(5)](2+) and [Ni(2)(SO(4))(3)](2-), respectively. The calculations show that the structures are crucially controlled by the degree of solvation of nickel ion. Explicit consideration of solvating water molecules within the first coordination sphere suggest that the dicationic triple ion [Ni(2)SO(4)](aq)(2+) is bent and thus bears a permanent dipole moment, whereas the [Ni(SO(4))(2)](aq)(2-) dianion tends to be quasi-linear. The experimental and theoretical data for the gaseous ions thus support the elegant, but indirect, deductions previously made based on solution-phase studies.     

Computational studies of Cu(II)/Met and Cu(I)/Met binding motifs relevant for the chemistry of Alzheimer's disease

A systematic study of the binding motifs of Cu(II) and Cu(I) to a methionine model peptide, namely, N-formylmethioninamide 1, has been carried out by quantum chemical computations. Geometries of the coordination modes obtained at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level of theory are discussed in the context of copper coordination by the peptide backbone and the S atom of a methionine residue in peptides with special emphasis on Met35 of the amyloid-beta peptide (Abeta) of Alzheimer's disease. The relative binding free energies in the gas phase, DeltaG(g), are calculated at the B3LYP/6-311+G(2df,2p)//B3LYP/6-31G(d) level of theory, and the solvation affects are included by means of the COSMO model to obtain the relative binding energies in solution, DeltaG(aq). A free energy of binding, DeltaG(aq) = -19.4 kJ mol(-1), relative to aqueous Cu(II) and the free peptide is found for the most stable Cu(II)/Met complex, 12. The most stable Cu(I)/Met complex, 23, is bound by -15.6 kJ mol(-1) relative to the separated species. The reduction potential relative to the standard hydrogen electrode is estimated to be E degrees (12/23) = 0.41 V. On the basis of these results, the participation of Met35 as a low affinity binding site of Cu(II) in Abeta, and its role in the redox chemistry underlying Alzheimer's disease is discussed.     

New SrAl2B2O7:Eu2+, Mn2+ phosphors for white light-emitting diodes

A series of Eu(2+) and Mn(2+) co-doped SrAl(2)B(2)O(7) phosphors were prepared by solid-state reaction method. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and photoluminescence excitation and emission were employed to characterize the phosphors. The results show that energy transfers between Eu(2+)and Mn(2+) ions. As the content of Ca(2+) ions in Ca(x)Sr(0.92-x)Al(2)B(2)O(7):Eu(2+)(0.06), Mn(2+)(0.02) phosphors increased, the CIE coordinates decreased and close to the white color standard mandated by the National Television Standard Committee (NTSC). Meanwhile, a white LED (light-emitting diode) was fabricated by combining the Ca(0.5)Sr(0.42)Al(2)B(2)O(7):Eu(2+)(0.06), Mn(2+)(0.02) phosphors with a 370 nm InGaN chip. The color coordinate of the fabricated white LED was also close to the white color standard, indicating that the Ca(0.5)Sr(0.42)Al(2)B(2)O(7):Eu(2+)(0.06), Mn(2+)(0.02) phosphor is a promising single-host phosphor that can be used in white LEDs.     

Copper(II) complexes of novel N-alkylated derivatives of cis,cis-1,3,5-triaminocyclohexane. 2. Metal-promoted phosphate diester hydrolysis

Aqueous copper(II) N,N',N' '-trimethyl-cis,cis-1,3,5-triaminocyclohexane (Cu(tach-Me(3))(2+)(aq)) promotes the hydrolysis of activated phosphate diesters in aqueous medium at pH 7.2. This complex is selective for cleavage of the phosphate diester sodium bis(p-nitrophenyl) phosphate (BNPP), the rate of hydrolysis of the monoester disodium p-nitrophenyl phosphate being 1000 times slower. The observed rate acceleration of BNPP hydrolysis is slightly greater than that observed for other Cu(II) complexes, such as [Cu([9]aneN(3))Cl(2)] ([9]aneN(3) identical with 1,4,7-triazacyclononane). The rate of hydrolysis is first-order in phosphate ester at low ester concentration and second-order in [Cu(tach-Me(3))](2+)(aq), suggesting the involvement of two metal complexes in the mechanism of substrate hydrolysis. The reaction exhibits saturation kinetics with respect to BNPP concentration according to a modified Michaelis-Menten mechanism: 2CuL + S <==> LCu-S-CuL --> 2CuL + products (K(M) = 12.3 +/- 1.8 mM(2), k(cat) = (4.0 +/- 0.4) x 10(-)(4) s(-1), 50 degrees C) where CuL (triple bond) [Cu(tach-Me(3))](2+), S (triple bond) BNPP, and LCu-S-CuL is a substrate-bridged dinuclear complex. EPR data indicate that the dicopper complex is formed only in the presence of BNPP; the active LCu-S-CuL intermediate species then slowly decays to products, regenerating monomeric CuL.