Preparation of 9-hydroxy grayanotoxin derivatives and their acute toxicity in mice

Novel 9alpha and 9beta-hydroxy grayanotoxin II derivatives were prepared by photo-sensitized oxygenation of iso-grayanotoxin II and oxidation of grayanotoxin II tetraacetate with selenium dioxide respectively. The lethal dosage of 9alpha and 9beta-hydroxy grayanotoxin II were lower than that of grayanotoxin II. In addition, the lethal dosage of 9beta-hydroxy-dihydro grayanotoxin II was higher than that of dihydro grayanotoxin II.     

Polarographic studies of cadmium, zinc and manganese(II) iodide complexes in acetonitrile

Cadmium, zinc and manganese(II) iodide complexes have been studied polarographically in acetonitrile and the electrode reactions for these complexes discussed. The overall stability constants of the iodide complexes of these metal ions were evaluated and corrected for the effect of the ion-pairing electrolyte. The values for log beta(4) of CdI(4)(2-) and ZnI(4)(2-) are 26.2 and 18.4 respectively and the values found for the Mn(II) iodide complex are log beta(1) = 3.5, log beta(2) = 5.6, log beta(3) = 7.8, log beta(4)= 10.0, log beta(5) = 12.2 and log beta(6) = 14.4. Within certain limits, the wave-height for each complex is proportional to the metal concentration.     

Spectrophotometric and electrochemical determination of the formation constants of the complexes Curcumin-Fe(III)-water and Curcumin-Fe(II)-water

The formation of complexes among the Curcumin, Fe(III) and Fe(II) was studied in aqueous media within the 5-11 pH range by means of UV-Vis spectrophotometry and cyclic voltammetry. When the reaction between the Curcumin and the ions present in basic media took place, the resulting spectra of the systems Curcumin-Fe(III) and Curcumin-Fe(II) presented a similar behaviour. The cyclic voltammograms in basic media indicated that a chemical reaction has taken place between the Curcumin and Fe(III) before that of the formation of complexes. Data processing with SQUAD permitted to calculate the formation constants of the complexes Curcumin-Fe(III), corresponding to the species FeCur (lob beta110 = 22.25 +/- 0.03) and FeCur(OH)- (log beta111 = 12.14 +/- 0.03), while for the complexes Curcumin-Fe(II) the corresponding formation constants of the species FeCur- (log beta110 = 9.20 +/- 0.04), FeHCur (log beta111 = 19.76 +/- 0.03), FeH2Cur+ (log beta112 = 28.11 +/- 0.02).     

Nonlinear optical and two-photon absorption properties of octupolar tris(bipyridyl)metal complexes

The linear (absorption and emission) and nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of a series of D(3) [(Fe(II), Ru(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II)] octupolar metal complexes featuring the 4,4'-bis[(dibutylamino)styryl]-2,2'-bipyridine ligand are reported. Zinc(II), nickel(II), and copper(II) complexes exhibit similar absorption spectra in the visible region (lambda(ILCT) = 474-476 nm) which are assigned to intraligand charge-transfer (ILCT) bands. The quadratic and cubic NLO properties are strongly influenced by the nature of the metallic center. Harmonic light scattering studies at lambda = 1.91 microm reveal that these chromophores display large first hyperpolarizabilities beta(1.91) in the range of (211-340) x 10(-30) esu; replacing the Zn(II) metal ion by Ni(II) or Cu(II) results in a decrease of the static beta(0) coefficient by a factor of 1.5-1.6. Z-scan measurements at 765 and 965 nm reveal relatively large two-photon absorption cross-sections [650 < sigma(2) < 2200 GM], showing that both beta and sigma(2) values can be tuned by simple modification of the metal ion.     

Synthesis, linear, and quadratic-nonlinear optical properties of octupolar D3 and D2d bipyridyl metal complexes

A series of D3 (Fe(II), Ru(II), Zn(II), Hg(II)) and D2d (Cu(I), Ag(I), Zn(II)) octupolar metal complexes featuring different functionalized bipyridyl ligands has been synthesized, and their thermal, linear (absorption and emission), and nonlinear optical (NLO) properties were determined. Their quadratic NLO susceptibilities were determined by harmonic light scattering at 1.91 microm, and the molecular hyperpolarizability (beta0) values are in the range of 200-657 x 10(-30) esu for octahedral complexes and 70-157 x 10(-30) esu for tetrahedral complexes. The octahedral zinc(II) complex 1 e, which contains a 4,4'-oligophenylenevinylene-functionalized 2,2'-bipyridine, exhibits the highest quadratic hyperpolarizability ever reported for an octupolar derivative (lambdamax=482 nm, beta1.91(1 e)=870 x 10(-30) esu, beta0(1 e)=657 x 10(-30) esu). Herein, we demonstrate that the optical and nonlinear optical (NLO) properties are strongly influenced by the symmetry of the complexes, the nature of the ligands (donor endgroups and pi linkers), and the nature of the metallic centers. For example, the length of the pi-conjugated backbone, the Lewis acidity of the metal ion, and the increase of ligand-to-metal ratio result in a substantial enhancement of beta. The contribution of the metal-to-ligand (MLCT) transition to the molecular hyperpolarizability is also discussed with respect to octahedral d6 complexes (M=Fe, Ru).     

Alterations of HLA class I and class II antigen expressions in borderline, invasive and metastatic ovarian cancers

In an effort to understand whether HLA class I and II plays any role in the process of tumorigenesis and metastasis, we have immunohistochemically examined expression of HLA class I and II antigen by using the monoclonal antibodies (mAb) L368 (for beta2m of HLA class I), HC-10 (for HLA-B, C heavy chains), and LGII-612.14 (for HLA class II heavy chain) in 5 borderline serous malignancy (BSM), 20 serous adenocarcinomas (SA), 15 borderline mucinous malignancy (BMM), and 10 mucinous adenocarcinomas (MA) of human ovary tumor case tissues. In BSM, the distribution and intensity of HLA expressions failed to reach statistical significance. In SA, HLA class I beta2-microglobulin (beta2m), HLA-B, C heavy chains and HLA class II heavy chain antigen expressions were down-regulated. Although expressions of HLA-B, C heavy chains and class II heavy chain were down-regulated in metastatic SA, there were no differences in HLA expression levels between primary and metastatic lesions. In BMM, class II heavy chain expressions were down-regulated. In MA, beta2m, HLA-B, C heavy chains and class II heavy chain expressions were also down-regulated. Thus, we could distinguish the reduction or absence of HLA molecule expression was related to malignant potential. Loss of HLA class I and II molecules in invasive ovarian cancers raises the possibility that this could be a factor for tumor cells to retain invasiveness.     

Polarographic study of the coordinated system Zn(II)-glycine-glycinate ion

A polarographic method has been applied to the study of the mixed-ligand system Zn(II)-glycine-glycinate, in aqueous medium, at I= 1.0 M (NaClO(4)) and 25 +/- 0.05 degrees C. The study of the quasi-reversible waves characteristic of Zn(II) has been carried out by means of a new method of analysis proposed by the authors, which is faster and more accurate than the traditional methods. The stabilization of the coordinated species [ZnG](2+) (beta(10) = 2.0), [ZnG(2)](2+) (beta(20) = 0.71), (Zn(G(-))](+) (beta(01) = 7.6 x 10(4)). [Zn(G(-))(2)] (beta(02)= 4.0 x 10(9)) and [ZnG(G(-))](+) (beta(11) = 1.7 x 10(5)) has been established.     

Spectrophotometric study of the system Hg(II)-thymol blue-H2O and its evidence through electrochemical means

The detailed analysis of the experimental spectrophotometric data obtained from solutions containing the acid-base indicator thymol blue (TB) and mercury(II) (Hg(II)) coupled with data processing by means of the SQUAD program, a chemical model was determined that includes the formation of complexes indicator-metal ion (HgTB and HgOTB), dimer species (H3TB2 and H4TB2) and monomer species (HTB and TB). The values of the overall formation constants (log beta) were calculated for the chemical equilibria involved: TB+Hg<-->HgTB log beta=16.047 +/- 0.043, TB+Hg+H2O<-->HgOHTB+H log beta=7.659 +/- 0.049, 2TB+4H<-->H4TB2 log beta=31.398 +/- 0.083, 2TB+3H<-->H3TB2 log beta=29.953 +/- 0.084 and H+TB<-->HTB-log beta=8.900. To compliment the present research, the values of the absorptivity coefficients are included for all the species involved, within a wide range of wavelengths (250-700 nm). The latter were used subsequently to carry simulations of the absorption spectra at various pH values, thus corroborating that the chemical model proposed is fully capable to describe the experimental information. Voltammetric study performed evidenced the formation of a complex with a 1:1 stoichiometry Hg(II):TB.     

X-ray structural studies on two forms of β-cyclodextrin barbital complexes

The crystal structures of two forms of -cyclodextrin barbital complexes (Form I and Form II) were investigated by X-ray analysis. In Form I crystal, two -cyclodextrin(-CyD) molecules including two barbital molecules form a dimeric structure by the hydrogen bonds among their secondary hydroxyl groups. The unit cell volume of Form II is about twice as large as that of Form I and there exist two -CyD dimers in Form II. Although the (Host)/(Guest) ratio is 1/1, only one barbital molecule can be found in Form II at the present stage. The sinilarities and differences between the two crystal structures are mainly discussed here.     

Zinc(II) as a versatile template for the design of dipolar and octupolar NLO-phores

Thermally stable dipolar and octupolar (D2d, D3) NLO-phores are readily accessible by combining one, two, or three 4,4'-bis(dialkylaminostyryl)-[2,2']-bipyridyl ligands with zinc(II) salts. The off-resonant beta0 values point out the superiority of octupoles versus dipoles in terms of nonlinearity/transparency tradeoff. The octahedral tris(bipyridyl)zinc(II) complex exhibits a very large beta0 value (241 x 10-30 esu), which is the largest ever reported for octupolar molecules.     

Proton nuclear magnetic resonance and electron paramagnetic resonance investigation of alpha-alpha cross-linked Fe-Co hybrid hemoglobins.

The following asymmetric alpha 1 99 Lys-alpha 2 99 Lys cross-linked Fe(II)-Co(II) hybrid hemoglobins (Hbs) were first prepared from derivatives of hemoglobin C (beta 6 Glu-Lys) and human normal HbA: [alpha(Co)beta(Fe)]A[alpha(Co)beta(Co)]cXL, [alpha(Fe)beta(Co)]A[alpha(Co)beta(Co)]cXL, etc. Their 500 MHz 1H NMR and EPR spectra were measured in order to study the change in their tertiary and quaternary structure under atmosphere of deoxy, oxy and carbon monoxide (with or without IHP). From the change of T and R marks in 1H NMR hydrogen bonding region, it is proved that oxygen molecules are first bonded to alpha(Fe) subunits rather than to beta(Fe). The experimental phenomena provided further evidence that intermediate states of ligation are present in addition to T and R state during process of binding of oxygen to Hb. IHP facilitates transformation of T state to R state. The same conclusion can also be drawn from the results of EPR spectra at 77 K.     

Synthesis,Photophysical Properties and Computational Studies of beta‐Substituted Porphyrin Dyads

Beta‐pyrrole‐substituted porphyrin dyads connected by ethynyl linkage to N‐butylcarbazole or triphenylamine donors are reported. Donor‐π‐acceptor type beta‐substituted porphyrin dyads and their Zn(II) and Pd(II) complexes were characterized by MALDI‐MS, NMR, UV‐vis absorption, fluorescence and cyclic voltammetry techniques. The S₁ emission dynamics were analyzed by time‐resolved spectroscopy (TCSPC); dyads exhibited efficient energy transfer up to 93% from beta‐donors (N‐butylcarbazole or triphenylamine group) to the porphyrin core. The efficiency of energy transfer for the beta‐substituted porphyrin dyads were much higher than those of the corresponding meso‐substituted porphyrin dyads, reflecting enhanced communications between the beta‐donors and the porphyrin core. The Pd(II) dyads, showed characteristic phosphorescence in the near IR region and very efficient singlet oxygen quantum yields (53–60%); these dyads are promising candidates for photocatalytic oxidations of organic compounds. The donor‐acceptor interaction between the porphyrin core and the beta‐donors was supported by the DFT studies in the porphyrin dyads.     

β-Octafluorinated tetrakis(ethoxycarbonyl)porphyrin

Tetrakis(alloxycarbonyl)porphyrin and its β-octafluoro-substituted derivatives were synthesized via Lindsey method and transformed to their zinc complexes.Single crystal X-ray structures of corresponding Zn(Ⅱ) porphyrins revealed that β-octafluorination will give more compactness of porphyrin moieties in the crystal structure owing to the hydrogen bonding interactions involving β-fluorine atoms.An unusual six-coordinated Zn(Ⅱ) was found via intramolecular coordination of oxygen atom of meso-substituents with central Zn(Ⅱ).     

The stabilization of managese(III) by azide ions in aqueous solution

The evidences of spontaneous oxidation of Mn(II) by the dissolved oxygen in azide buffer medium, which is dependent on the N (-)(3)HN (3) concentration, suggested a formation of stable Mn(III) complexes due to marked colour changes. Spectrophotometric studies combined with coulometric generation of Mn(III), in presence of large excess of Mn(II), showed a maximum absorbance peak at 432 nm. The molar absorptivity increases with azide concentration (0.44-3.9 mol 1(-1)) from 3100 to 6300 mol(-1) 1 cm(-1), showing a stepwise complex formation. Potential measurements of the Mn(III) Mn(II) system in several azide aqueous buffers solutions: 1.0 x 10(-2) mol 1(-1) HN(3), (0.50-2.0 mol 1(-1)) N(-)(3) and 5.0 x 10(-2) mol 1(-1) Mn(II) and constant ionic strength 2.0 mol 1(-1), kept with sodium perchlorate, leads to the conditional potential, E(0')x, in several azide concentrations at 25.0 +/- 0.1 degrees C. Considering the overall formation constants of Mn(II) N (-)(3), from former studies, and the potential, E(0')s = 1.063 V versus SCE, for Mn(III) Mn(II) system in non-complexing media, it was possible to calculate the Fronaeus function, F(0)(L), and the following overall formation constants: beta(1) = 1.2 x 10(5) M(-1), beta(2) = 6.0 x 10(8) M(-2), beta(3) = (2.4 +/- 0.7) x 10(11) M(-3), beta(4) = (1.5 +/- 0.5) x 10(11) M(-4) and beta(5) = (9.6 +/- 0.8) x 10(11) M(-5) for the Mn(III) N (-)(3) complexes. These data give important support to understand the importance of Mn(II) and Mn(III) synergistic effect on the analytical method of S(IV) determination based on the Co(II) autoxidation.     

Chemically distinct Ni sites in the A-cluster in subunit beta of the acetyl-CoA decarbonylase/synthase complex from Methanosarcina thermophila: Ni L-edge absorption and X-ray magnetic circular dichroism analyses

The 5-subunit-containing acetyl-CoA decarbonylase/synthase (ACDS) complex plays an important role in methanogenic Archaea that convert acetate to methane, by catalyzing the central reaction of acetate C-C bond cleavage in which acetyl-CoA serves as the acetyl donor substrate reacting at the ACDS beta subunit active site. The properties of Ni in the active site A-cluster in the ACDS beta subunit from Methanosarcina thermophila were investigated. A recombinant, C-terminally truncated form of the beta subunit was employed, which mimics the native subunit previously isolated from the ACDS complex, and contains an A-cluster composed of an [Fe(4)S(4)] center bridged to a binuclear Ni-Ni site. The electronic structures of these two Ni were studied using L-edge absorption and X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) spectroscopy. The L-edge absorption data provided evidence for two distinct Ni species in the as-isolated enzyme, one with low-spin Ni(II) and the other with high-spin Ni(II). XMCD spectroscopy confirmed that the species producing the high-spin signal was paramagnetic. Upon treatment with Ti(3+) citrate, an additional Ni species emerged, which was assigned to Ni(I). By contrast, CO treatment of the reduced enzyme converted nearly all of the Ni in the sample to low-spin Ni(II). The results implicate reaction of a high-spin tetrahedral Ni site with CO to form an enzyme-CO adduct transformed to a low-spin Ni(II) state. These findings are discussed in relation to the mechanism of C-C bond activation, in connection with the model of the beta subunit A-cluster developed from companion Ni and Fe K edge, XANES, and EXAFS studies.     

Synthesis of Chiral beta 3-aminoxy peptides

A series of chiral beta(3)-aminoxy acids or amides with various side chains have been synthesized via two different approaches. One is the Arndt-Eistert homologation approach, using chiral alpha-aminoxy acids as starting materials. The other approach, utilizing the enantioselective reduction of beta-keto esters catalyzed by baker's yeast or chiral Ru(II) complexes, produces chiral beta(3)-aminoxy acids with nonproteinaceous side chains. The oligomers of beta(3)-aminoxy acids can be readily prepared using EDCI/HOAt as the coupling reagent.     

Quantification of the binding constant of copper(II) to the amyloid-beta peptide

The amyloid beta (A beta) peptide of Alzheimer's disease binds copper(II), and the peptide-bound metal may be a source of reactive oxygen species and neurotoxicity. To circumvent peptide aggregation and reduce redox activity, there is growing interest in using metal chelates as drug therapeutics for AD, whose design requires accurate data on the affinity of A beta peptides for copper(II). Reports on Cu2+ binding to A beta range from approximately 10(5) to approximately 10(9); these values' being obtained for different peptide lengths (1-16, 1-28, 1-40, 1-42) at varying pH. Herein, we report that Cu2+'s binding to A beta(1-40) at 37 degrees C occurs in a 1:1 stoichiometry with a pH-dependent binding constant: 1.1 (+/-0.2) x 10 (9) M (-1) and 2.4 (+/-0.2) x 10 (9) M(-1) at pH 7.2 and 7.4, respectively. Under identical conditions, A beta(1-16) reveals a comparable binding constant, confirming that this portion of the peptide is the binding region. Several previously reported values can be reconciled with the current measurement by careful consideration of thermodynamics associated with the presence of competing ligands used to solubilize copper.     

Solvent extraction of lead(II) with N-cyclohexyl-N-nitrosohydroxylamine into methyl isobutyl ketone

The distribution equilibrium of the lead-cnha complex in the water-methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) system has been studied at 25 degrees . From graphical treatment of the equilibrium data, it was deduced that PbL(2) is the complex extracted. By use of the program LETAGROP-DISTR, values for the distribution and the stability constants of PbL(2) have been calculated: log K(DC) = 1.84 +/- 0.11; log beta(1) = 6.68 +/- 0.09 and log beta(2) = 10.28 +/- 0.09. On the basis of these results and those of previous studies, a method for determination of lead(II), copper(II) and cadmium(II) by atomic-absorption spectrometry, after extraction with cnha and 4-methylpyridine into MIBK, is proposed.     

Determination of stability constants of copper(II) complex of glycine in water + alcohol mixed solvents with ion selective electrode technique

The first stability constants (log beta(1)) of the copper(II) complex of glycine in water and in 13 water + alcohol (isopropanol, tert-butanol, 1,2-propylene glycol and glycerol) solvents have been determined at 25 degrees C and an ionic strength of 0.10, from pH and pCu measurements of cells containing copper(II) ion selective electrode. It has been shown that as the proportion of the alcohol increases, the stability constants become increasing positive in all of the mixed solvents examined. An almost linear relation between log beta(1) and the mole fraction of alcohol was found for the complex in aqueous solutions of isopropanol, tert-butanol and glycerol. The response of the copper(II) ion selective electrode in water and in water + alcohol mixed solvents was also investigated. The advantages of using an ion selective electrode to determine the stability constants in mixed solvents are discussed.     

Structural features of the Cu(II) complex with the rat Abeta(1-28) fragment

The interaction between Cu(II) and the rat amyloid beta (1-28) fragment in micellar solutions at pH 7.5 was investigated by CD and NMR spectroscopy; the proton-copper distances were used in restrained molecular dynamics simulations to obtain a structural model of the Cu(II) complex.