Chemical modification of horseradish peroxidase with several methoxypolyethylene glycols

The chemical modification of ε-NH₂ lysine residues of horseradish peroxidase (E.C. 1.11.1.7) with several mPEG was carried out. The modified enzymes were studied through Chromatographic and electrophoretic methods; the extent of mPEG linking was determined using¹H-NMR. Peroxidase, modified with mPEG ranging from 350 to 5000, activated with 4-nitrophenylchloroformate (mPEGpn), showed a better thermal stability than the native, but there was no correlation between the length of the polymer adduct and the improvement. The enzyme was modified with mPEG (5000) activated by cyanuric chloride (mPEGcc). The number of modified lysine increased, but the thermal behavior of mPEGcc peroxidase was similar to those of mPEGpn enzymes. In all cases, the modification did not markedly change the stability in organic solvents.     

A Boron‐Fluorinated Tris(pyrazolyl)borate Ligand (FTp*) and Its Mono‐ and Dinuclear Copper Complexes [Cu(FTp*)2] and [Cu2(FTp*)2]: Synthesis,Structures, and DFT Calculations

Reaction of [Si(3,5‐Me₂pz)₄] ( 1 ) with [Cu(MeCN)₄][BF₄] ( 2 ) gave the mono‐ and dinuclear copper complexes [Cu₂(^FTp*)₂] ( 3 ) and [Cu(^FTp*)₂] ( 4 ). Both complexes contain the so‐far unprecedented boron‐fluorinated ^FTp* ligand ([FB(3,5‐Me₂pz)₃]^? with pz=pyrazolyl) originating from 1 , acting as a pyrazolyl transfer reagent, and the [BF₄]^? counter anion of 2 , serving as the source of the {BF} entity. The solid‐state structures as well as the NMR and EPR spectroscopic characteristics of the complexes were elaborated. Pulsed gradient spin echo (PGSE) experiments revealed that 3 retains (almost entirely) its dimeric structure in benzene, whereas dimer cleavage and formation of acetonitrile adducts, presumably [Cu(^FTp*)(MeCN)], is observed in acetonitrile. The short Cu???Cu distance of 269.16 pm in the solid‐state is predicted by DFT calculations to be dictated by dispersion interactions between all atoms in the complex (the Cu?Cu dispersion contribution itself is only very small). As revealed by cyclic voltammetry studies, 3 shows an irreversible (almost quasi‐reversible at higher scan rates) oxidation process centred at E^pa=?0.23 V (E⁰_1/2=?0.27 V) (vs. Fc/Fc⁺). Oxidation reactions on a preparative scale with one equivalent of the ferrocenium salt [Fc][BF₄] (very slow reaction) or air (fast reaction) furnished blue crystals of the mononuclear copper(II) complex [Cu(^FTp*)₂] ( 4 ). As expected for a Jahn–Teller‐active system, the coordination sphere around copper(II) is strongly distorted towards a stretched octahedron, in accordance with EPR spectroscopic findings.     

An adaptive Lagrangian boundary element approach for three‐dimensional transient free‐surface Stokes flow as applied to extrusion,thermoforming, and rheometry

An adaptive (Lagrangian) boundary element approach is proposed for the general three‐dimensional simulation of confined free‐surface Stokes flow. The method is stable as it includes remeshing capabilities of the deforming free surface and thus can handle large deformations. A simple algorithm is developed for mesh refinement of the deforming free‐surface mesh. Smooth transition between large and small elements is achieved without significant degradation of the aspect ratio of the elements in the mesh. Several flow problems are presented to illustrate the utility of the approach, particularly as encountered in polymer processing and rheology. These problems illustrate the transient nature of the flow during the processes of extrusion and thermoforming, the elongation of a fluid sample in an extensional rheometer, and the coating of a sphere. Surface tension effects are also explored. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A simple and efficient synthesis of new cyclic ureas

A facile access to a wide range of original saturated N-heterocyclic ureas is described using, as a key step, a Michael-type reaction involving isocyanates or amines on a piperidine framework possessing an α,β-unsaturated ester functionality.     

Palladium mediated direct coupling of silylated arylalkynes with propargylic chlorides: an efficient access to functionalized conjugated allenynes

Pd/Cu-catalyzed one-pot reaction of 1-trimethylsilyl-2-arylalkynes with propargylic chlorides in the presence of TBAF is described. The present new procedure is applicable to a wide range of silylated arylalkynes with both electron-withdrawing and electron-donating substituents. Functionalized allenynes can thus be obtained in good yields without prior deprotection of the alkynes.