Preferential solvation of lysozyme by dimethyl sulfoxide in binary solutions of water and dimethyl sulfoxide

To reveal the denaturation mechanism of lysozyme by dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), thermal stability of lysozyme and its preferential solvation by DMSO in binary solutions of water and DMSO was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and using densities of ternary solutions of water (1), DMSO (2) and lysozyme (3) at 298.15 K. A significant endothermic peak was observed in binary solutions of water and DMSO except for a solution with a mole fraction of DMSO (x ₂) of 0.4. As x ₂ was increased, the thermal denaturation temperature T _m decreased, but significant increases in changes in enthalpy and heat capacity for denaturation, ΔH _cal and ΔC _p, were observed at low x ₂ before decreasing. The obtained amount of preferential solvation of lysozyme by DMSO (∂g ₂/∂g ₃) was about 0.09 g g⁻¹ at low x ₂, indicating that DMSO molecules preferentially solvate lysozyme at low x ₂. In solutions with high x ₂, the amount of preferential solvation (∂g ₂/∂g ₃) decreased to negative values when lysozyme was denatured. These results indicated that DMSO molecules do not interact directly with lysozyme as denaturants such as guanidine hydrochloride and urea do. The DMSO molecules interact indirectly with lysozyme leading to denaturation, probably due to a strong interaction between water and DMSO molecules.     

Energy characteristics of structures in aqueous solutions of sucrose

Structures arising in sucrose solutions of various concentrations are modeled. A computer simulation by the molecular mechanics method proves the existence of three aqueous sucrose structures, which depends on the ratio between water and sucrose molecules. The calculated data are in good agreement with the experimental results obtained by different methods. Translated fromZhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 39, No. 5, pp. 864–871, September–October, 1998.     

Study of intermolecular interactions in aqueous solutions by millimeter spectroscopy

The absorption of millimeter electromagnetic radiation (v=1.4, 1.71, and 5 cm⁻¹) by aqueous solutions of glycine (pH 6.1–6.2) in the concentration range of 0.5–2.5 mol L⁻¹ was measured. It was found that the absorbing ability of the water present in the solutions, is higher than that of pure water. This phenomenon is explained by the presence of a center of negative hydration in the structure of the glycine zwitterion, which results in an increase in the rotational mobility of water molecules immobilized in the hydrate shell of the glycine zwitterion. For Part 5, see Ref. 1. Deceased. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 7, pp. 1305–1307, July, 1997.     

Adenosine,adenosine monophosphate,and adenosine triphosphate adsorption from aqueous solutions on the surface of multiwall carbon nanotubes

Adenosine, adenosine monophosphate, and adenosine triphosphate adsorption from aqueous solutions on the surface of carbon nanotubes is studied. Adsorption isotherms are plotted and adsorption free energies, as well as areas per molecules of the adsorbates, are calculated at their concentrations in solutions of 0–10⁻³ mol/dm³. It is shown that the monomolecular adsorption is characterized by rather loose packing of adsorbate molecules on the nanotube surface, with the packing density increasing in the presence and upon a rise in the concentration of phosphate groups in adsorbate molecules. In the range of the polymolecular adsorption, at high adsorbate concentrations in solutions (C > (5–6) × 10⁻⁴ mol/dm³), the adsorption decreases in a series adenosine > adenosine monophosphate > adenosine triphosphate, i.e., with an increase in the solubility of the examined compounds in water.     

Synthesis of fluorine-containing allantoins,hydantoins, and oxazolones from terminal perfluoroolefin oxides and urea

1,2-Epoxyoctafluorobutane reacted with urea in DMSO and aqueous DMSO, dioxane, and acetonitrile to give 40–42% of 5-hydroxy-5-pentafluoroethylimidazolidine-2,4-dione. 5-Hydroxy-5-tridecafluorohexylimidazolidine-2,4-dione was formed in 54% yield in analogous reaction of 1,2-epoxytridecafluorooctane with urea in aqueous DMSO. The reactions of 1,2-epoxyoctafluorobutane and 1,2-epoxytridecafluorooctane with urea in anhydrous dioxane and acetonitrile unexpectedly afforded heterocyclization products, 2-amino-5-fluoro-5-perfluoroalkyloxazol-4(5H)-ones (yield 11–82%). Fluorine-containing allantoin, 5-tridecafluorohexyl-5-ureidoimidazolidine-2,4-dione (yield 19%), and N-(1-hydroxy-2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,7-tridecafluoroheptyl)-urea (yield 46%) were synthesized for the first time by reaction of 1,2-epoxytridecafluoroctane with urea in DMSO and aqueous DMSO.     

Protein Conformation and Supercharging with DMSO from Aqueous Solution

The efficacy of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as a supercharging reagent for protein ions formed by electrospray ionization from aqueous solution and the mechanism for supercharging were investigated. Addition of small amounts of DMSO to aqueous solutions containing hen egg white lysozyme or equine myoglobin results in a lowering of charge, whereas a significant increase in charge occurs at higher concentrations. Results from both near-UV circular dichroism spectroscopy and solution-phase hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry indicate that DMSO causes a compaction of the native structure of these proteins at low concentration, but significant unfolding occurs at ~63% and ~43% DMSO for lysozyme and myoglobin, respectively. The DMSO concentrations required to denature these two proteins in bulk solution are ~3–5 times higher than the concentrations required for the onset of supercharging, consistent with a significantly increased concentration of this high boiling point supercharging reagent in the ESI droplet as preferential evaporation of water occurs. DMSO is slightly more basic than m-nitrobenzyl alcohol and sulfolane, two other supercharging reagents, based on calculated proton affinity and gas-phase basicity values both at the B3LYP and MP2 levels of theory, and all three of these supercharging reagents are significantly more basic than water. These results provide additional evidence that the origin of supercharging from aqueous solution is the result of chemical and/or thermal denaturation that occurs in the ESI droplet as the concentration of these supercharging reagents increases, and that proton transfer reactivity does not play a significant role in the charge enhancement observed.     

Different Behaviors of Glutathione in Aqueous and DMSO Solutions: Molecular Dynamics Simulation and NMR Experimental Study

An all-atom molecular simulation and NMR experiments have been carried out to investigate the interactions and conformations of glutathione (GSH) in aqueous and DMSO solutions. The simulations started, from different initial conformations, are characterized by intramolecular distance, radius of gyration, root-mean-square deviation, and solvent-accessible surface. Interestingly, different behaviors are found in the two different solutions. GSH is highly flexible in an aqueous solution with transitions to the extended, semifolded, and folded states. However, once GSH reaches the folded state in DMSO, it remains there and becomes difficult to break down. The NMR results show agreement with the MD simulations. The water molecule is small. It is also a good proton donor and a good proton acceptor. Water molecules can easily break down the “folded” conformation. In DMSO solution, the stronger hydrogen bonds and the hydrophobic interactions are more important, which can make the GSH in the folded state stable. Variations in the distribution of conformations and the hydrogen-bonding network may play an important role in its function under physiological conditions.     

Structural transition to electrolyte-water solvent and changes in the molecular dynamics of water and properties of solutions

A model of concentration transition “ions and complexes in a water structure → ionic and ionicaqueous clusters → polymer structures of salt and crystal hydrate melts” is suggested. The appearance of cluster nanostructures outside the first zone of a waterlike structure is regarded as a general characteristic of solutions. The characteristics of solutions, phase equilibria, and salts of complex composition are interpreted based on this model. Investigation of the complex dielectric constant of electrolytic solutions in the SHF and EHF bands (7–119 GHz) at high concentrations showed that there are two dispersion regions in which the relaxation times differ by a factor of 5–10. Relaxation processes are separated, the numbers of molecules in hydration shells are calculated, and relaxation times are determined for bulky tetrahedral water with hydration shells of ions, for clusters, and for ionicaqueous polymer chains. It is shown that the two structure subsystems of water molecules in concentrated solutions may be described using the limited rotator/generalized diffusion molecular model. Translated fromZhumal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 39, No. 5, pp. 851–863, September–October, 1998.     

Long-lived phosphorescence of aqueous solutions of β-cyclodextrin complexes with naphthalene and its derivatives at room temperature

A long-lived phosphorescence at room temperature (lifetime>1 s) of aqueous solutions of β-cyclodextrin complexes with naphthalene and its derivatives was found. The phosphorescence isobserved for aggregated complexes that form in water a light-scattering suspension, and its low intensity is due to predomination of 2∶2 complexes with efficient excimer fluorescence. Complexes containing isolated aromatic molecules are assumed to be the centers of fluorescence. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 10, pp. 2022–2024, October, 1999.     

Changes in the reactivity of the fluorescent reagents carbazole-9-carbonyl chloride and 9-carbazolylacetic acid in the presence of cyclodextrins

Carbazole-9-carbonyl chloride (C9CC) and 9-carbazolylacetic acid (9CAA) were selected as model fluorescent reagents. The effect of different chemically modified cyclodextrins (CDs) added to the aqueous solutions of these reagents was studied in water and in buffered aqueous solutions at pH 4.5 and 8.8. The CDs employed were 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-βCD), 2,3-di-O-methyl-β-cyclodextrin (DM-βCD) and 2,3,6-tri-O-methyl-β-cyclodextrin (TM-βCD). The inclusion of these reagents inside the cavities of the CDs was verified and this process can affect the derivatization reaction because CDs can modify the reactivity of the guest molecules. The basic conditions necessary for the derivatization reaction between C9CC and amines lead to the formation of carbazole anion through hydrolysis followed by decarboxylation. In the presence of CDs, the hydrolysis-decarboxylation of carbazole-9-carbonyl chloride is faster than in buffered aqueous homogeneous solutions. The behaviour observed for these reagents in aqueous solutions of CDs was compared to the one observed in basic ethanolic solutions. These changes are particularly noticeable in the case of 2,3-di-O-methyl-β-CD and 2-hydroxypropyl-β-CD. The characteristics of the fluorescent reagents are compared to carbazole and 9-methylcarbazole as model compounds. This paper was presented at XIIIth International Cyclodextrin Symposium. Torino, Italy, May 14–17, 2006.     

Molecular simulation of water behaviors on crystal faces of hydroxyapatite

The water behavior on (001) and (100) crystal faces of hydroxyapatite (HAP) were studied using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The study showed that the water molecules between the HAP faces were under conditions of strong electrical field and high pressure, and hence formed 2–3 well-organized water layers on the crystal surfaces. These structured water layers had ice-like features. Compared with the crystallographic [100] direction of HAP, the polarity along the [001] direction was stronger, which resulted in more structured water layers on the surface. The interaction of water molecules with the calcium and phosphate sites at the HAP-water interface was also studied. The results indicated the multiple pathways of water adsorption onto the HAP surfaces. This study revealed the formation and the detailed structure of water layers on HAP surfaces and suggested that the interfacial water played an important role in stabilizing the HAP particles in aqueous solutions. Translated from Chinese Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2006, 22(8): 1392–1400 (in Chinese)     

A XANES and EXAFS Study of Hydration and Ion Pairing in Ambient Aqueous MnBr<Subscript>2</Subscript> Solutions

Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) and X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopies were used to probe the first-shell coordination structure of Mn(II) in aqueous MnBr₂ solutions at ambient conditions from very dilute to the near saturation limit. The Mn K-edge EXAFS spectra for 0.05 and 0.2 m solutions showed that there was no Br(−I) in the first shell, and that the Mn(II) was fully hydrated with six water molecules in an octahedral arrangement. In contrast, for 6 m solution, the coordination number of water was reduced to about 5, and an average of about one bromine atom was present in the first shell as a contact ion pair. The 1s → 4p transition at 6545.5 eV confirmed the observation of Mn–Br contact ion pairs at high concentrations and the 1s → 3d transition at 6539.5 eV showed that the first shell coordination symmetry remained octahedral even in the presence of Mn–Br ion pairs.     

Host–Guest Complexation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis>-, <Emphasis Type="Italic">γ</Emphasis>-Cyclodextrin with Alkyl Trimethyl Ammonium Bromides in Aqueous Solution

As a continuation of our previous investigation, interactions between cyclodextrin (β-CD), γ-cyclodextrin (γ-CD) and alkyl trimethylammonium bromides in aqueous solutions have been studied with titration calorimetry and ¹H NMR at 298.15 K. The results are discussed in terms of the amphiphilic interaction of CD with surfactants and the iceberg structure formed by water molecules existing around the hydrophobic tail of surfactant molecules. The stoichiometry of the β-CD–surfactant system is 1:1 whereas that of the γ-CD–surfactant system is 1:2. The corresponding formation enthalpy (negative) of the complexes of the two systems decreases with an increase in the number of carbon atoms (n) in hydrophobic chain of surfactant molecule, C _n H_2n+1, whereas the entropy increases with the enlargement of n.     

Thermo-X-ray-diffraction analysis of dimethylsulfoxide-kaolinite intercalation complexes

DMSO-kaolinite complexes of low- and high-defect Georgia kaolinite (KGa-1 and KGa-2, respectively) were investigated by thermo-XRD-analysis. X-ray patterns showed that DMSO was intercalated in both kaolinites with a d(001)-value of 1.11 nm (type I complex). The samples were gradually heated up to 170°C and diffracted by X-ray at room-temperature. With the rise in temperature, due to the thermal evolution of the guest molecules, the relative intensity of the 1.11 nm peak decreased and that of the 0.72 nm peak (neat kaolinite) increased indicating that the fraction of the non-intercalated tactoids increased. The 1.11 peak disappeared at 130–140°C. During the thermal treatment of both complexes two additional peaks appeared at 110 and 120°C, respectively, with d-values of 0.79–0.94 and 0.61–0.67 nm in DMSO-KGa-1 and 0.81–0.86 and 0.62–0.66 nm in DMSO-KGa-2, indicating the formation of a new phase (type II complex). The new complex was obtained by the dehydration of type I complex and was composed of intercalated DMSO molecules which did not escape. The new peaks disappeared at 150–160°C indicating the complete escape of DMSO.     

Synthesis of polyrotaxanes based on α-cyclodextrin and poly(ethylene oxide)

Inclusion complexes of poly(ethylene oxide) with α-cyclodextrin are the key compounds in the synthesis of polyrotaxanes. These complexes prepared in aqueous solutions contain free cyclodextrin, which cocrystallizes with the major reaction product. These complexes dissociate upon dissolution in DMF and DMSO to form cyclodextrin and pseudopolyrotaxanes with a low cyclodextrin content. Polyrotaxane was synthesized with the use of poly(ethylene oxide)-α,ω-bis-amine as a linear component. The end-groups of the polymer in the inclusion complex were modified by the reaction with 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene. A procedure was developed for purification of a polyrotaxane with high cyclodextrin content. __________ Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 8, pp. 1914–1918, August, 2005.     

X-ray crystal structures of halogen containing nucleobase derivatives in unsolvated and DMSO solvated forms

A series of halogenated nucleobase derivatives 1–4 is reported to yield solvent-free (2) and DMSO solvated crystals (1, 3, 4) on the crystallization from DMSO with one of them (4) containing an additional molecule of water. The molecular and crystal structures are described and comparatively discussed with reference to previous results on related compounds. The molecule of 1 is planar, molecules of 2 and 3 show syn alignment with reference to the heterocyclic ring and common C2′-endo conformation of the ribose residue, while 4 is also syn aligned but C4′-exo in the sugar conformation. The packing structures reveal typical aggregations created via networks of hydrogen bonds. These involve conventional N–H···N, N–H···O and O–H···O interactions between nucleobase and ribose units as well as solvent molecules, additionally supported by weak C–H···O contacts but excluding the participation of halogen···halogen interactions as well as halogen···heteroatom contacts in the supramolecular structure formation.     

Simple, expedient methods for the determination of water and electrolyte contents of cellulose solvent systems

The concentrations of water, W, and electrolytes present in solutions of LiCl in N,N-dimethylacetamide, LiCl/DMAc, and of tetrabutylammonium fluoride. x-hydrate in DMSO, TBAF.xW/DMSO can be accurately and expediently determined by three independent methods, UV–vis, FTIR and EMF measurement. The first relies on the use of solvatochromic probes whose spectra are sensitive to solution composition. It is applicable to W/LiCl/DMAc solutions but not to TBAF.xW/DMSO, because the charge-transfer complex bands of the probes are suppressed by strong interactions with the latter electrolyte. Integration of ν_OH band of water may be employed in order to determine [W], hence [electrolyte] by weight difference. EMF measurement uses ion-selective electrodes in order to determine [electrolyte], hence [W] by weight difference. Results of the latter method were in excellent agreement with those of FTIR. The reason for the failure of Karl Fischer titration is addressed, and the relevance of the results obtained to functionalization of cellulose under homogenous solution conditions is briefly commented on.     

Structural properties of dilute aqueous solutions of dimethylformamide and acetone based on computer simulation

The Monte Carlo simulation of molecular configurations for aqueous solutions ofN,N-dimethylformamide and acetone was carried out. The atom-atom radial distribution functions were determined. The topological properties of the H-bond system were investigated. The concentrations of closed H-bond cycles and the radial distribution functions of their geometric centers were found. It was shown that the local arrangement of molecules and supermolecular assemblies typical of the H-bond network in neat water is retained in the solutions studied. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 4, pp. 592–599, April, 1998.     

On the emitters of sulfuric acid sonoluminescence

A comparative study of the sonoluminescence spectra of water and argon-saturated aqueous H₂SO₄ solutions was carried out. At an H₂SO₄ concentration of 18 mol L⁻¹, the sulfuric acid sonoluminescence is fifty times more intense than water sonoluminescence. The sulfuric acid luminescence spectrum differs from the water sonoluminescence spectrum caused by the emission of excited water molecules and OH radicals from the gas phase of cavitation bubbles. The sulfuric acid sonoluminescence spectrum exhibits maxima at 330, 420, 500, and 630 nm. Emitters of sonoluminescence of sulfuric acid are the singlet (330–340 nm) and triplet (∼420 nm) excited SO₂ molecules formed by sonolysis of H₂SO₄ molecules. Another product of sonolysis of H₂SO₄, atomic oxygen, is assumed to be responsible for the luminescence at λ = 630 nm. __________ Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 8, pp. 1742–1745, August, 2005.     

The role of the medium in electrochemical functionalization and dispersion of carbon nanotubes

An electrochemical method for dispersion of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) is described. The technique is based on grafting of oxygen-containing functional groups to the nanotube surface during electrolysis in aqueous and nonaqueous potassium bromide solutions. A dependence of the degree of functionalization of nanotubes on the solvent was revealed experimentally. Nanotubes treated in DMSO have about 14 carbon atoms per oxygen atom from functional groups (cf. nearly four C atoms per oxygen atom in the nanotubes treated in aqueous solutions). The corresponding maximum specific capacities of the electrodes are nearly 10 and 60 F g⁻¹. The samples treated in solutions of KBr in DMSO have about 300 carbon atoms per bromine atom on the nanotube surface (cf. only 30 carbon atoms in the samples treated in aqueous solution). A mechanism of electrochemical modification of SWNTs is proposed. Its key step is production of atomic oxygen that oxidizes the nanotube surface with the formation of functional groups.