The use of high-speed differential scanning calorimetry (Hyper-DSC™) to study the thermal properties of carbamazepine polymorphs

The thermal properties of two polymorphs of the drug carbamazepine, Forms I and III, were studied using high-speed differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Previously, accurate determination of the heat enthalpy of fusion of Form III has not been possible using DSC at typical heating rates, due to concurrent exothermic recrystallisation to the higher-melting Form I. Here, it is demonstrated that heating rates of 250° C/min altered the kinetics of the melting transition of Form III such that this concurrent exothermic recrystallisation was inhibited. This allowed direct measurement of the enthalpy of the melting endotherm for Form III from a single transition. The enthalpy of this transition was found to be 109.5 J/g. Further investigations were then performed to test the utility of this technique in quantifying relative amounts of Forms I and III in mixtures of the two polymorphs. It was demonstrated that a limit of detection of 1% (w/w) was possible in this system. However, accurate quantification was not possible due to seeding effects initiating recrystallisation to Form I in these mixtures, even at these elevated heating rates. The utility of this novel technique as a fast analytical tool for studying the polymorphic behaviour of metastable polymorphs has been successfully demonstrated.     

A resonance Raman,surface-enhanced resonance Raman,IR, and ab initio vibrational spectroscopic study of nickel(II) tetraazaannulene complexes

The IR and resonance Raman spectra of the nickel(II) complexes of dibenzo[b,i][1,4,8,11]tetraaza[14]annulene (TAA) and 5,7,12,14-tetramethyldibenzo[b,i][1,4,8,11]tetraaza[14]annulene (TMTAA) have been measured and compared with ab initio calculations of the vibrational wavenumbers at the B3-LYP level using the LanL2DZ basis set. An excellent fit is found between the experimental and calculated data, enabling precise vibrational assignments to be made. Surface-enhanced resonance Raman spectra were obtained following adsorption on Ag electrodes, with potentials in the range -0.1 to -1.1 V vs Ag/AgCl. There is evidence for contributions from both the electromagnetic and charge transfer (CT) surface enhancement mechanisms. The data indicate that variations in band intensities with electrode potential can be interpreted in terms of the CT mechanism.     

PROBING PHOTODYNAMIC DAMAGE IN NUCLEIC ACIDS WITH A DAMAGE-SPECIFIC DNA BINDING PROTEIN: A COMPARISON OF THE B and Z DNA CONFORMATIONS

—We have employed a damage-specific DNA binding protein from human cells as a probe for base damage in polymers irradiated with white light in the presence of methylene blue. Protein-recognizable damage is introduced only into guanine-containing polymers and quenching of damage introduction by H₂O and sodium azide suggest the involvement of a singlet oxygen mechanism. Using poly d(G-m⁵C), we have demonstrated that the left-handed double helical Z conformation is much less susceptible to guanine photooxidation than is the usual B conformation. We speculate that this difference in reactivity may reflect steric hindrance at the purine C-4 position and could provide some insight into the initial steps of the reaction between singlet oxygen and guanine in nucleic acid polymers.     

Electrochemistry of niobium(V) in sulfuric and methanesulfonic acids: formation of the Nb3O2(SO4)6(H2O)(3)(5-) cluster and designed electrochemical generation of "Nb3O2" core clusters by double potential pulse electrolysis

The electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical properties of niobium(V) and the Nb(3)O(2)(SO(4))(6)(H(2)O)(3)(5-) cluster in sulfuric acid and methanesulfonic acid were investigated using cyclic voltammetry, constant potential electrolysis, and spectroelectrochemistry. These chemical systems were suitable to probe the formation of "Nb(3)O(2)" core trinuclear clusters. In 9 M H(2)SO(4) the cluster Nb(3)O(2)(SO(4))(6)(H(2)O)(3)(5-) exhibited a reversible 1-electron reduction peak at E(pc) = -1.30 V vs Hg/Hg(2)SO(4) electrode, as well as a 4-electron irreversible oxidation peak at E(pa) = -0.45 V. Controlled potential reduction at E = -1.40 V produced the green Nb(3.33+) cluster anion Nb(3)O(2)(SO(4))(6)(H(2)O)(3)(6-). In 12 M H(2)SO(4) Nb(V) displayed two reduction peaks at E(pc) = -1.15 V and E(pc) = -1.30 V. It was determined that the first process involves a quasi-reversible 2-electron reduction. After reduction of Nb(V) to Nb(III) the following chemical step involves formation of [Nb(III)](2) dimer, which further reacts with Nb(V) to produce the Nb(3)O(2)(SO(4))(6(H(2)O)(3)(5-) cluster (ECC process). The second reduction peak at E(pc) = -1.30 V corresponds to further 2-electron reduction of Nb(III) to Nb(I). The electrogenerated Nb(I) species also chemically reacts with starting material Nb(V) to produce additional [Nb(III)](2). In 5 M H(2)SO(4), the rate of the second chemical step in the ECC process is relatively slower and reduction of Nb(V) at E = -1.45 V/-1.2 V produces a mixture of Nb(3)O(2)(SO(4))(6)(H(2)O)(3)(5-) and [Nb(III)](2) dimer. [Nb(III)](2) can be selectively oxidized by two 2-electron steps at E = -0.65 V to Nb(V). However, if the oxidation is performed at E = -0.86 V, the product is Nb(3)O(2)(SO(4))(6)(H(2)O)(3)(5-). A double potential pulse electrolysis waveform was developed to direct the reduction of Nb(V) toward selective formation of the Nb(3)O(2)(SO(4))(6)(H(2)O)(3)(5-) cluster. Proper application of dc-voltage pulses alternating between E(1) = -1.45 V and E(2) = -0.86 V yields only the target trinuclear cluster. Analogous double potential pulse electrolysis of Nb(V) in methanesulfonic acid generates the "Nb(3)O(2)" core cluster Nb(3)O(2)(CH(3)SO(3))(6)(H(2)O)(3)(+).     

Characterization of Sol-gel bioencapsulates for ester hydrolysis and synthesis

Candida rugosa lipase was entrapped in silica sol-gel particles prepared by hydrolysis of methyltrimethoxysilane and assayed by p-nitrophenyl palmitate hydrolysis, as a function of pH and temperature, giving pH optima of 7.8 (free enzyme) and 5.0–8.0 (immobilized enzyme). The optimum temperature for the immobilized enzyme (50–55°C) was 19°C higher than for the free enzyme. Thermal, operational, and storage stability were determined with n-butanol and bytyric acid, giving at 45°C a half-life 2.7 times greater for the immobilized enzyme; storage time was 21 d at room temperature. For ester synthesis, the optimum temperature was 47°C, and high esterification conversions were obtained under repeated batch cycles (half-life of 138 h).     

Stabilization of excess charge in isolated adenosine 5'-triphosphate and adenosine 5'-diphosphate multiply and singly charged anions

Multiply charged anions (MCAs) represent highly energetic species in the gas phase but can be stabilized through formation of molecular clusters with solvent molecules or counterions. We explore the intramolecular stabilization of excess negative charge in gas-phase MCAs by probing the intrinsic stability of the [adenosine 5'-triphosphate-2H](2-) ([ATP-2H](2-)), [adenosine 5'-diphosphate-2H](2-) ([ADP-2H](2-)), and H(3)P(3)O(10)(2-) dianions and their protonated monoanionic analogues. The relative activation barriers for decay of the dianions via electron detachment or ionic fragmentation are investigated using resonance excitation of ions isolated within a quadrupole trap. All of the dianions decayed via ionic fragmentation demonstrating that the repulsive Coulomb barriers (RCB) for ionic fragmentation lie below the RCBs for electron detachment. Both the electrospray ionization mass spectra (ESI-MS) and total fragmentation energies for [ATP-2H](2-), [ADP-2H](2-), and H(3)P(3)O(10)(2-) indicate that the multiply charged H(3)P(3)O(10)(2-) phosphate moiety is stabilized by the presence of the adenosine group and the stability of the dianions increases in the order H(3)P(3)O(10)(2-) < [ADP-2H](2-) < [ATP-2H](2-). Fully optimized, B3LYP/6-31+G* minimum energy structures illustrate that the excess charges in all of the phosphate anions are stabilized by intramolecular hydrogen bonding either within the phosphate chain or between the phosphate and the adenosine. We develop a model to illustrate that the relative magnitudes of the RCBs and hence the stability of these ions is dominated by the extent of intramolecular hydrogen bonding.     

Verbindungen A3M5 (A = Erdalkalimetall,M = Triel/Tetrel): Eine Fallstudie zur strukturellen und elektronischen Stabilität polarer intermetallischer Phasen

Compounds A₃M₅ (A = alkaline earth, M = triel/tetrel): A Case Study on Structural and Electronic Factors Stabilizing Polar Intermetallics Starting from the non electron precise binary compounds Ca₃Ga₅/Sr₃In₅ (Hf₃Ni₂Si₃ type) and Ba₃Al₅ at one hand and Ba₃Pb₅ (Pu₃Pd₅ type) at the other hand, a series of new ternary intermetallics of the general formula A₃M₅ (A: alkaline earth, M: triel/tetrel) has been synthesized, structurally characterized and studied by band structure calculations. The chemical substitution of M in A₃M₅ allows, via the continous variation of the radius ratio (r_A:r_M) and the valence electron number (VE/M) the detection of the geometrically and electronically determined stability ranges of the three structure types formed by the binary compounds. At values of r_A:r_M between 1.30 and 1.52 in the triel rich region of A₃M′_xM″_5?x the Hf₃Ni₂Si₃ type (orthorhombic, space group Cmcm) is formed: In Ca₃Ga₅ up to 1.8 Ga can be substituted by Al, in Sr₃In₅ similar amount of In can be replaced by either Al or Ga. The mixed trielide Sr₃Al_2.6Ga_2.4 (a = 468.4(1), b = 1132.5(1), c = 1570.0(2) pm, R1 = 0.0261) can be obtained, although both corresponding binary phases are not known. At larger values of the ratio r_A/r_M as in Ba₃Al₃Ga₂ (Ba₃Al₅ type, hexagonal, space group P6₃/mmc, a = 598.9(1), c = 1456.0(3) pm, R1 = 0.0353) layers of condensed M₅ building blocks with Al‐Al partial bonds are formed. Substituting one In position in Sr₃In₅ against Pb results in the isotypic, but electron precise Zintl compound Sr₃In₄Pb (a = 506.1(1), b = 1191.8(3), c = 1650.2(4) pm, R1 = 0.0286), where the Fermi level in shifted into a distinct minimum of the density of states. Conversely, at the tetrele rich end of the series A₃In_xPb_5?x, characterized by compounds of the Pu₃Pd₅ type (orthorhombic, space group Cmcm) with almost isolated nido clusters M₅, a minimum of the DOS can be reached, if Pb is partially substituted by In (A₃In_xPb_5?x with A = Sr/Ba: x = 0.7/0.6; a = 1084.6(2)/1118.6(2), b = 867.1(2)/904.4(1), c = 1104.8(2)/1133.9(2) pm, R1 = 0.0394/0.0434).     

The partial hydrogenation of benzene to cyclohexene by nanoscale ruthenium catalysts in imidazolium ionic liquids

The controlled decomposition of an Ru(0) organometallic precursor dispersed in 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMI.PF(6)), tetrafluoroborate (BMI.BF(4)) or trifluoromethane sulfonate (BMI.CF(3)SO(3)) ionic liquids with H(2) represents a simple and efficient method for the generation of Ru(0) nanoparticles. TEM analysis of these nanoparticles shows the formation of superstructures with diameters of approximately 57 nm that contain dispersed Ru(0) nanoparticles with diameters of 2.6+/-0.4 nm. These nanoparticles dispersed in the ionic liquids are efficient multiphase catalysts for the hydrogenation of alkenes and benzene under mild reaction conditions (4 atm, 75 degrees C). The ternary diagram (benzene/cyclohexene/BMI.PF(6)) indicated a maximum of 1 % cyclohexene concentration in BMI.PF(6), which is attained with 4 % benzene in the ionic phase. This solubility difference in the ionic liquid can be used for the extraction of cyclohexene during benzene hydrogenation by Ru catalysts suspended in BMI.PF(6). Selectivities of up to 39 % in cyclohexene can be attained at very low benzene conversion. Although the maximum yield of 2 % in cyclohexene is too low for technical applications, it represents a rare example of partial hydrogenation of benzene by soluble transition-metal nanoparticles.     

The effect of engineered disulfide bonds on the stability of Drosophila melanogaster acetylcholinesterase

Background  

Acetylcholinesterase is irreversibly inhibited by organophosphate and carbamate insecticides allowing its use in biosensors for detection of these insecticides. Drosophila acetylcholinesterase is the most sensitive enzyme known and has been improved by in vitro mutagenesis. However, its stability has to be improved for extensive utilization.     

Diastereoselective synthesis of cyclopropane amino acids using diazo compounds generated in situ

A simple and high-yielding method for the preparation of cyclopropane amino acids is described. The novel method involves the one-pot cyclopropanation of readily available dehydroamino acids using aryl and unsaturated diazo compounds generated in situ from the corresponding tosylhydrazone salts. It was found that thermal 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition followed by nitrogen extrusion gave the cyclopropane amino acid derivatives with good E selectivity, while reactions in the presence of meso-tetraphenylporphyrin iron chloride gave predominantly the corresponding Z isomers. The synthetic utility of this process was demonstrated in the synthesis of (+/-)-(Z)-2,3-methanophenylalanine [(+/-)-(Z)-1], the anti-Parkinson (+/-)-(E)-2,3-methano-m-tyrosine [(+/-)-(E)-2], and the natural product (+/-)-coronamic acid [(+/-)-3].