Solvent and structural effects in tautomeric 3-cyano-4-(substituted phenyl)-6-phenyl-2(1H)-pyridones: experimental and quantum chemical study

The tautomeric equilibria between 2-pyridone and 2-hydroxypyridine forms of methoxy, chloro, and nitro derivatives of 3-cyano-4-(2-, 3-, and 4-substituted phenyl)-6-phenyl-2(1H)-pyridones were evaluated from UV/Vis spectral data. Linear solvation energy relationships of Kamlet–Taft and Catalán-rationalized solvent have influence on tautomeric equilibria. Transmission of substituent effect was analyzed by the Hammett equation. Quantum chemical calculations were performed by density functional theory (B3LYP). The experimental data were interpreted with the aid of time-dependent density functional method. Electron density distribution was analyzed by Bader’s analysis. It was found that substituents of different electronic properties change the extent of conjugation, and affect intramolecular charge transfer character. Theoretical calculations and experimental results gave insight into the influence of the molecular conformation on the transmission of substituent effects, as well as on contribution of different solvent–solute interactions.     

A mechanism-based cross-linker for the identification of kinase-substrate pairs

The reversible phosphorylation of proteins is one of the most important mechanisms for the regulation of signal transduction cascades. Recently, there has been substantial progress made in the identification of new phosphoproteins and phosphorylation sites. Unfortunately, there are very few methods available that allow this information to be used to identify the upstream kinase responsible for the phosphorylation event. Herein, we describe a new method that allows the cross-linking of a substrate of interest to its upstream kinase. This method relies upon a novel, mechanism-based cross-linker and the replacement of the phosphorylated residue with a cysteine residue. The application of this method to a number of kinase-peptide substrate pairs is described.     

In situ XPS investigation of Pt(Sn)/Mg(Al)O catalysts during ethane dehydrogenation experiments

Calcined hydrotalcite with or without added metal (Mg(Al)O, Pt/Mg(Al)O and Pt,Sn/Mg(Al)O) have been investigated with in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) during ethane dehydrogenation experiments. The temperature in the analysis chamber was 450 °C and the gas pressure was in the range 0.3-1 mbar. Depth profiling of calcined hydrotalcite and platinum catalysts under reaction, oxidation and in hydrogen-water mixture was performed by varying the photon energy, covering an analysis depth of 10-21 Å. It was observed that the Mg/Al ratio in the Mg(Al)O crystallites does not vary significantly in the analysis depth range studied. This result indicates that Mg and Al are homogeneously distributed in the Mg(Al)O crystallites. Catalytic tests have shown that the initial activity of a Pt,Sn/Mg(Al)O catalyst increases during an activation period consisting of several cycles of reduction-dehydrogenation-oxidation. The Sn/Mg ratio in a Pt,Sn/Mg(Al)O catalyst was followed during several such cycles, and was found to increase during the activation period, probably due to a process where tin spreads over the carrier material and covers an increasing fraction of the Mg(Al)O surface. The results further indicate that spreading of tin occurs under reduction conditions.A PtSn₂ alloy was studied separately. The surface of the alloy was enriched in Sn during reduction and reaction conditions at 450 °C. Binding energies were determined and indicated that Sn on the particle surface is predominantly in an oxidised state under reaction conditions, while Pt and a fraction of Sn is present as a reduced Pt-Sn alloy.     

New approach in the treatment of data from an acid–base potentiometric titration

Based on precise analysis of the acid-base equilibrium, a new approach in the treatment of experimental data from a potentiometric titration is proposed. A new general formula giving explicitly the relation V=f([H(+)]) is derived, valid for every acid-base titration, which includes mono- and polyfunctional protolytes and their mixtures. The present study is the first practical application of this formula for the simplest case, the analysis of one monofunctional protolyte. The collected mV data during the titration are converted into pH-values by means of an auto pH-calibration procedure, thus avoiding preliminary preparation of the measuring system. The mentioned pH-calibration method is applicable also in water-organic mixtures and allows the quantitative determination of sparingly soluble substances (particularly pharmaceuticals). The treatment of the data is performed by means of ready-to-use software products, which makes the proposed approach accessible for a wide range of applications.     

New certified reference materials and proficiency test for environmental radioactivity measurements

A reliable determination of natural and anthropogenic radionuclides in environmental samples is necessary to comply with the radiation protection and environmental regulations. This paper presents the results of the characterisation of massic activities of natural and anthropogenic radionuclides in soil and water matrices produced as test items to conduct the proficiency test ERAD-PT-2013. The proficiency test ERAD-PT-2013 was designed to investigate analytical performance in analysing both natural and anthropogenic radionuclides, to assist laboratories to identify analytical problems, and to improve the quality of measurement results. The proficiency test items, their spectral interferences and the activity concentration levels of the analytes were designed in a way to enable identification of potential analytical problems. Methodologies, data evaluation approach and evaluation of proficiency test results for each radionuclide are described and discussed.     

ESI‐MS studies of the non‐covalent interactions between biologically important metal ions and N‐sulfonylcytosine derivatives

The aim of this report is to present the electrospray ionization mass spectrometry results of the non‐covalent interaction of two biologically active ligands, N‐1 ‐ (p‐toluenesulfonyl)cytosine, 1‐TsC, 1 and N‐1 ‐ methanesulfonylcytosine, 1‐MsC, 2 and their Cu(II) complexes Cu(1‐TsC‐N3)₂Cl₂, 3 and Cu(1‐MsC‐N3)₂Cl₂ and 4 with biologically important cations: Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Zn²⁺. The formation of various complex metal ions was observed. The alkali metals Na⁺ and K⁺ formed clusters because of electrostatic interactions. Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ salts produced the tris ligand and mixed ligand complexes. The interaction of Zn²⁺ with 1–4 produced monometal and dimetal Zn²⁺ complexes as a result of the affinity of Zn²⁺ ions toward both O and N atoms. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Strong Antibiotic Activity of the Myxocoumarin Scaffold in vitro and in vivo

The increasing emergence of resistances against established antibiotics is a substantial threat to human health. The discovery of new compounds with potent antibiotic activity is thus of utmost importance. Within this work, we identify strong antibiotic activity of the natural product myxocoumarin B from Stigmatella aurantiaca MYX-030 against a range of clinically relevant bacterial pathogens, including clinical isolates of MRSA. A focused library of structural analogs was synthesized to explore initial structure-activity relationships and to identify equipotent myxocoumarin derivatives devoid of the natural nitro substituent to significantly streamline synthetic access. The cytotoxicity of the myxocoumarins as well as their potential to cure bacterial infections in vivo was established using a zebrafish model system. Our results reveal the exceptional antibiotic activity of the myxocoumarin scaffold and hence its potential for the development of novel antibiotics.     

Halochromic cellulose textile obtained via dyeing with biocolorant isolated from Streptomyces sp. strain NP4

Cellulose - Halochromic (pH-responsive) material was obtained by dyeing functionalized viscose fabric with a crude extract from Streptomyces sp. strain NP4. The functionalization of the fabric...