Diode or tunnel-diode characteristics? Resolving the catalytic consequences of proton coupled electron transfer in a multi-centered oxidoreductase

Protein film voltammetry has been employed to define multiple catalytic consequences of proton coupled electron transfer (PCET) in a cytochrome c nitrite reductase. Current-potential profiles reflecting the steady-state rate of nitrite-limited reduction have been defined from pH 4 to 8. Lowering the electrode potential at pH 8 causes the catalytic current to increase and then decrease before it takes a value independent of any further lowering of electrode potential. By comparison, at pH 4, catalysis is initiated at more positive electrode potentials in an approximately sigmoidal fashion with no attenuation of the catalytic rate evident at more negative electrode potentials. The results show that activity is turned on by the coupled transfer of two electrons and one proton to the enzyme. The decreased rate of catalysis at lower electrode potentials under more alkaline conditions shows that this rate attenuation occurs only when reduction is not coupled to compensating protonation(s) of the enzyme. Sites within the enzyme whose reduction and/or protonation may contribute to the definition of these activities are discussed.     

A convenient synthesis of the thieno[3,2-c]pyridine nucleus

The unsubstituted thieno[3,2-c]pyridine ring system was prepared from thiophene-3-carboxaldehyde in 4 steps. The sequence is suitable for scale-up.     

Insecticidal Activity and Free Radical Scavenging Properties of Isolated Phytoconstituents from the Saudi Plant Nuxia oppositifolia (Hochst.)

Chromatographic purification of the alcoholic extract from the aerial parts of the Saudi plant Nuxia oppositifolia (Hochst.), Benth., resulted in five isolated phenolic compounds. Two flavones, hispidulin (1) and jaceosidin (2), and the phenylethanoid glycosides, verbascoside (3), isoverbascoside (4), and conandroside (5), were identified and their chemical structures were determined by spectroscopic analyses. The insecticidal activity of compounds 1 and 2, in addition to 11 compounds isolated in a previous research (6–16), was evaluated against the Yellow Fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti. Four compounds displayed adulticidal activity with LD₅₀ values of 2–2.3 μg/mosquito. Free radical scavenging properties of the plant extracts and compounds (1–5) were evaluated by measuring the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate radical cation (ABTS^•+) scavenging activity. All compounds exhibited notable activity, compared with the positive control, l-Ascorbic acid. This study suggests that N. oppositifolia could be a promising source of secondary metabolites, some with lethal adulticidal effect against Ae. aegypti.     

Stereoselective synthesis of unnatural α-amino acid derivatives through photoredox catalysis

A protocol for stereoselective C-radical addition to a chiral glyoxylate-derived N-sulfinyl imine was developed through visible light-promoted photoredox catalysis, providing a convenient method for the synthesis of unnatural α-amino acids. The developed protocol allows the use of ubiquitous carboxylic acids as radical precursors without prior derivatization. The protocol utilizes near-stoichiometric amounts of the imine and the acid radical precursor in combination with a catalytic amount of an organic acridinium-based photocatalyst. Alternative mechanisms for the developed transformation are discussed and corroborated by experimental and computational studies.

A protocol for stereoselective C-radical addition to a chiral glyoxylate-derived N-sulfinyl imine was developed through visible light-promoted photoredox catalysis, providing a convenient method for the synthesis of unnatural α-amino acids.     

Bioelectronics and biometallocatalysis for production of fuels and chemicals by photosynthetic water splitting

Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology - By inserting metallocatalysts (such as platinum, osmium, or ruthenium) at the reducing site of photosystem I (PSI), electrons that emerge from PSI can be...     

The stereoselective synthesis of aziridine analogues of diaminopimelic acid (DAP) and their interaction with dap epimerase

Aziridine analogues of diaminopimelic acid (DAP) have been prepared stereoselectively for the first time and evaluated as inhibitors of DAP epimerase. (2R,3S,3'S)-3-(3'-Aminopropane)aziridine-2,3'-dicarboxylate was synthesised and shown to be a reversible inhibitor of DAP epimerase with an IC(50) value of 2.88 mM. (2S,4S)- and (2S,4R)-2-(4-Amino-4-carboxybutyl)aziridine-2-carboxylic acid (ll-azi-DAP and dl-azi-DAP ) were made as pure diastereomers, and both were shown to be irreversible inhibitors of DAP epimerase. ll-Azi-DAP selectively binds to Cys-73 of the enzyme active site whereas dl-azi-DAP binds to Cys-217 via attack of sulfhydryl on the methylene of the inhibitor aziridine ring. These observations are consistent with the two base mechanism proposed for the epimerization of ll-DAP and meso-DAP by DAP epimerase.     

Ground and valence-excited states of SF: a multireference configuration interaction with single and double excitations+Q study

Ab initio calculations on the ground and valence-excited states of the sulfur monofluoride radical have been performed using entirely uncontracted all-electron augmented correlation consistent polarized valence quintuple zeta basis sets and the internally contracted multireference configuration interaction with single and double excitations method and Davidson correction (+Q). Potential-energy curves of all valence electronic states and the spectroscopic constants of several bound states are fitted. It is the first time that the entire 27-omega states generated from the 12 valence lambda-S states which come from the S(3P(g)) and F(2P(u)) atomic states of SF radical have been studied theoretically. The effects of spin-orbit coupling and the avoided crossing rule between omega states of the same symmetry are analyzed. The calculated results reproduce well the available experimental values and predict the properties of several bound excited states that have never been observed in experiment. The transition properties of the dipole-allowed transitions from bound excited states to the ground state are predicted for the first time, including the transition dipole moments, the Franck-Condon factors, and the radiative lifetimes.     

Stereocontrolled total synthesis of (-)-vincamajinine and (-)-11-methoxy-17-epivincamajine

The first total syntheses of (-)-vincamajinine (5) (from Na-methyl-d-tryptophan methyl ester) and (-)-11-methoxy-17-epivincamajine (6) (from Na-methyl-6-methoxy-d-tryptophan ethyl ester) are described. The syntheses have been completed in a highly stereocontrolled manner (>98% ee). Key steps included the asymmetric Pictet-Spengler reaction, enolate-mediated palladium cross-coupling reaction, and acid-catalyzed formation of the C(7)-C(17) bond. In addition, the triethylsilane/TFA-mediated incorporation of the 2alpha-H (11 to 12) and the borohydride generation of the C(17) hydroxyl function (R) were also stereospecific. The unique highly conjested carbon skeletons of the two alkaloids were completed in a concise manner and in regiospecific fashion.     

Ion-Bearing Propellers: Alkali Metal Complexes of Tris(2-alkoxyphenyl)amine Ionophores

NMR spectroscopic studies reveal that binding of Na(+) by tris(2-methoxyphenyl)amine (3) brings two of these tripod ethers together about the metal ion; the related double-tripod-ether ionophore 1,2-bis[2-(bis(2-methoxyphenyl)amino)phenoxy]ethane (4), in which two triarylamines are covalently attached, binds LiI, LiBPh(4), NaI, NaBPh(4), and KB(4-ClPh)(4). Dynamic NMR puts lower limits on binding free energies of 4 for Na(+) (71.8 kJ mol(-)(1)) and K(+) (66.8 kJ mol(-)(1)) ions. X-ray studies of 3(2).NaBPh(4), 4.NaBPh(4), 4.NaB(4-ClPh)(4), and 4.KB(4-ClPh)(4).CH(3)NO(2) show eight-coordinate M(+) ions bound between crystallographically independent, homochiral triarylamine tripod ethers in structures reminiscent of alkali metal [2.2.2] cryptates. Complexes crystallize as follows: 3(2).NaBPh(4), monoclinic, P2(1)/c, Z = 4, a = 10.701(3) ?, b = 37.593(3) ?, c = 13.774(2) ?, and beta = 98.24(2) degrees; 4.NaBPh(4), triclinic, P&onemacr;, Z = 2, a = 12.157(1) ?, b = 14.811(1) ?, c = 15.860(2) ?, alpha = 105.400(8) degrees, beta = 91.594(9) degrees, and gamma = 95.354(8) degrees; 4.NaB(4-ClPh)(4), monoclinic, P2(1)/n, Z = 4, a = 13.652(5) ?, b = 18.75(1) ?, c = 22.805(5) ?, and beta = 92.21(5) degrees; 4.KB(4-ClPh)(4).CH(3)NO(2), monoclinic, Pn, Z = 2, a = 13.663(4) ?, b = 12.228(3) ?, c = 18.712(8) ?, and beta = 91.45(3) degrees. They show variable N-M-N angles; 3(2).NaBPh(4) is surprisingly bent ( angleN-Na-N = 154.5 degrees ), while the 4.M(+) complexes are normal: nearly linear for Na(+) ( angleN-Na-N = 178.6, 178.1 degrees ) and again bent with the larger K(+) ( angleN-K-N = 164.5 degrees ). Finally, free 4 is structurally similar to 3; it crystallizes in the triclinic space group P&onemacr;, with Z = 2, a = 8.068(1) ?, b = 14.599(2) ?, c = 16.475(3) ?, alpha = 115.43(1) degrees, beta = 92.51(1) degrees, and gamma = 90.40(1) degrees.     

Jahn—Teller effects in the mindo approximation: structures of the molecular cations of methane and the chloromethanes

The MINDO/3 technique gives geometries for (CH₄)⁺, (CCl₄)⁺ and the intermediate ions (CH_nCl_{4 ? n})⁺ (n = 1, 2, 3) which have symmetries in precise accord with the predictions of the Jahn—Teller effect. The ground state of (CH₄)⁺ has D_2d symmetry, with a C_3v structure ca. 45.6 kJ mol^?1 higher. (CCl₄)⁺ has a C_2v ground state, with a D_2d structure ca. 144 kJ mol^?1 higher: no bound state of C_3v symmetry could be found. (CH₃Cl)⁺ and (CHCl₃)⁺ both have C_s symmetry, and (CH₂Cl₂)⁺ has C_2v symmetry. The analogous fluoro ions are discussed briefly.