The preparation of copper(II) and copper(I) salts in acetonitrile using group VA and VB pentafluorides

Copper(II) fluorine reacts with the pentafluorides, TaF₅, PF₅, and AsF₅, in acetonitrile to give solvated Cu^II, hexafluoroanion salts. These react with copper metal to give the corresponding Cu^I compounds. Similar reactions occur between AsF₅ and silver(I) or thallium(I) fluorides, but silver(II) fluoride reacts with MeCN, and Ag^I hexafluoroarsenate is formed. PF₅ oxidises Cu slowly in MeCN to give Cu^I hexafluorophosphate, but AsF₅ has no oxidising ability towards metals in MeCN. Spectroscopic data for Cu(MF₆)₂·5MeCN and Cu(MF₆)·4MeCN (M = Ta or P) are discussed.     

Nanosecond and picosecond laser flash photolysis studies of 2,2′-dinitrodiphenylmethanes

The transient absorption spectra of the 2,2′-dinitrodiphenylmethanes 1a–1c in solution were examined in the picosecond and nanosecond time ranges. The absorption bands, observed at 420–450 nm on 355 nm (18 ps) excitation of these compounds, were attributed to the nitronic acids 2a–2c, formed through the singlet-state- mediated intramolecular hydrogen abstraction and the triplet states of 1a–1c. Biradical intermediates, formed through the intramolecular abstraction of the benzylic hydrogen by the triplet excited state, were detected for 1a and 1b. Transient species produced following 355 nm (approximately 6 ns) pulse excitation of 1a–1c result in the formation of the corresponding nitronic acids 2a–2c, with absorption maxima around 415–430 nm. These nitronic acids are the precursors of the various products formed in the steady state irradiation of 1a–1c     

New approach to molecular docking and its application to virtual screening of chemical databases

This paper describes the validation of a molecular docking method and its application to virtual database screening. The code flexibly docks ligand molecules into rigid receptor structures using a tabu search methodology driven by an empirically derived function for estimating the binding affinity of a protein-ligand complex. The docking method has been tested on 70 ligand-receptor complexes for which the experimental binding affinity and binding geometry are known. The lowest energy geometry produced by the docking protocol is within 2.0 A root mean square of the experimental binding mode for 79% of the complexes. The method has been applied to the problem of virtual database screening to identify known ligands for thrombin, factor Xa, and the estrogen receptor. A database of 10,000 randomly chosen "druglike" molecules has been docked into the three receptor structures. In each case known receptor ligands were included in the study. The results showed good separation between the predicted binding affinities of the known ligand set and the database subset.     

Trans --> cis isomerization of trans-[(dppm)2Ru(H)(L)][BF4] (L = P(OR)3) complexes: preparation of cis-[(dppm)2Ru(eta2-H2)(L)][BF4]2

A series of new dicationic dihydrogen complexes of ruthenium of the type cis-[(dppm)(2)Ru(eta(2)-H(2))(L)][BF(4)](2) (dppm = Ph(2)PCH(2)PPh(2); L = P(OMe)(3), P(OEt)(3), PF(O(i)Pr)(2)) have been prepared by protonating the precursor hydride complexes cis-[(dppm)(2)Ru(H)(L)][BF(4)] (L = P(OMe)(3), P(OEt)(3), P(O(i)Pr)(3)) using HBF(4).Et(2)O. The cis-[(dppm)(2)Ru(H)(L)][BF(4)] complexes were obtained from the trans hydrides via an isomerization reaction that is acid-accelerated. This isomerization reaction gives mixtures of cis and trans hydride complexes, the ratios of which depend on the cone angles of the phosphite ligands: the greater the cone angle, the greater is the amount of the cis isomer. The eta(2)-H(2) ligand in the dihydrogen complexes is labile, and the loss of H(2) was found to be reversible. The protonation reactions of the starting hydrides with trans PMe(3) or PMe(2)Ph yield mixtures of the cis and the trans hydride complexes; further addition of the acid, however, give trans-[(dppm)(2)Ru(BF(4))Cl]. The roles of the bite angles of the dppm ligand as well as the steric and the electronic properties of the monodentate phosphorus ligands in this series of complexes are discussed. X-ray crystal structures of trans-[(dppm)(2)Ru(H)(P(OMe)(3))][BF(4)], cis-[(dppm)(2)Ru(H)(P(OMe)(3))][BF(4)], and cis-[(dppm)(2)Ru(H)(P(O(i)Pr)(3))][BF(4)] complexes have been determined.     

Simplified method for the Re-Os dating of molybdenite using acid digestion and isotope dilution ICP-MS

An analytical method was developed for Os-Re dating of molybdenite. The method is based on determination of Os and Re concentrations in molybdenite by isotope dilution inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ID-ICP-MS). Sample digestion and sample/spike equilibration were achieved by a two-stage autoclave-based procedure using a mixture of nitric and sulphuric acids. Os was separated from the sample digest by modified single-stage distillation of osmium tetraoxide (OsO₄) using elevated temperature and on-line addition of hydrogen peroxide. OsO₄(g) was trapped in a mixture of 0.05% thiourea in 0.05 M sodium hydroxide. An anion-exchange column was used to separate Re from excess Mo in the solution remaining after distillation. Os and Re isotope ratio measurements were performed by single-collector, double focusing inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) with on-line mass-bias correction. Typical instrumental precision was in the range 0.02-0.2% relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) depending on the analyte concentrations. Notorious Os memory effects in the ICP-MS introduction system were eliminated using 5% ammonia solution, both as matrix for final dilution of the trap mixture as well as for washing between the samples. The reproducibility of the entire analytical procedure was accessed by replicate dating of two molybdenite standards and three molybdenite separates, and was found to be in the range 0.87-1.52% R.S.D. Though accuracy of the method is limited by difficulties in evaluating exact concentration of Os in spike solution, ages obtained in the course of these work agrees well with previously published data.     

Simple methods for the direct assembly, functionalization, and patterning of acid-terminated monolayers on Si111

This article describes mild methods to directly assemble, functionalize, and pattern monolayers of undecylenic acid on hydrogen-terminated Si(111). These monolayers were assembled under very mild conditions from a neat solution of undecylenic acid containing 0.1 mol % 4-(decanoate)-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinooxy at room temperature without the need for UV light. Because of these mild conditions, monolayers exposing carboxylic acids could be assembled in one step without the need to protect the acid prior to its assembly. The monolayers were extensively characterized by horizontal attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and contact angle goniometry. The monolayers bonded to the silicon surface preferentially through the olefin with no detectable bonds between the carboxylic acids and silicon. The crystallinity of the monolayer was studied by infrared spectroscopy through the antisymmetric--v(a)(CH(2))--and symmetric--v(s)(CH(2))--stretches for methylene. Because it is important for future applications to assemble functional surfaces, methods to react the acid-terminated monolayers with trifluoroacetic anhydride and triethylamine to yield a symmetric anhydride on the monolayer were studied. These anhydrides were reacted with a variety of milligram-quantity amines to yield amide-terminated surfaces. This method was general, and a variety of amines could be bonded to the monolayer. The stabilities of these monolayers upon exposure to ambient conditions and under a variety of solvents were described. Because patterned monolayers have found wide applications, we have developed methods to pattern 1-octadecylamine and poly(ethylenimine) on the micrometer scale using soft lithography. In addition, polymer brushes of polynorbornene with thicknesses from 32 to 150 nm were grown from monolayers patterned with the Grubbs' catalyst. The patterned surfaces were imaged by scanning electron microscopy, scanning probe microscopy, and ellipsometry to determine the thicknesses of the patterns and the fidelity of the method.     

The determination of134Cs,137Cs,210Pb,226Ra and228Ra concentrations in nearshore marine sediments and seawater

Multi-radionuclide analyses of coastal marine sediments and seawater can be of considerable value in defining rates and mechanisms of nearshore processes. A preliminary study of¹³⁴Cs,¹³⁷Cs,²¹⁰Pb,²²⁶Ra and²²⁸Ra in the Clyde Sea Area has been performed. A summary of the marine geochemistries of these species and a detailed account of methods involved in their routine analysis are described.     

Redox polymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA). I. Influence of surfactants on polymerization kinetics

Oxidation of ferrous orthophenanthroline (FeP) by peroxydiphosphate (PP) in aqueous medium at pH 1 was followed spectrophotometrically. Kinetic analysis has shown that oxidation occurs via the formation of an intermediate complex between FeP and PP. Equi-librium and rate constants were calculated. Influence of surfactants on the oxidation of FeP by PP was also Investigated. The equilibrium constant for complex formation was found to be higher in the presence of surfactants. The enhanced complex formation has been attributed to the ionic interactions between the charged surfactant and the ionic species in the reaction medium. Polymerization of HEMA initiated by the redox system,FeP/PP, was carried out in aqueous medium, under the conditions of excess reductant over oxidant and excess oxidant over reductant. The polymerization followed different mech-anisms under these conditions; with excess oxidant, the growing polymer radicals underwent oxidative termination, while with excess reductant, primary radical termination was pre-ferred. The effect of surfactants on the aqueous polymerization of HEMA using the redox system FeP/PP was also investigated. In addition to the decrease in rate, the polymerization followed a different mechanism in the presence of surfactants, the growing radicals ter-minated by mutual interaction. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

DNA ligand Hoechst-33342 enhances UV induced cytotoxicity in human glioma cell lines

The effects of minor groove binding ligand bisbenzimidazole derivative Hoechst-33342 on the cellular response to UV damage have been studied in two human glioma cell lines BMG-1 and U-87 grown as monolayer cultures. Treatment induced cell death (macro-colony assay) and growth inhibition, potential lethal damage recovery, cytogenetic damage (micronuclei formation) and proliferation kinetics were studied as parameters for cellular response. Pre and post-irradiation treatment with Hoechst-33342 (1-20 microM) enhanced the UV-induced growth inhibition and cell death in a concentration dependent manner in both cell lines. At higher Hoechst-33342 concentrations (>5 microM), the cytotoxic effects of the combination (Hoechst-33342+UV) were highly synergistic and mainly mediated through apoptosis implying the possible interactions of lesions caused by both the agents. The enhanced cell death due to Hoechst-33342 was accompanied by a significant increase (2-3 folds at 5 microM) in UV-induced micronuclei formation in BMG-1 cells. Under these conditions, Hoechst-33342 also enhanced the UV-induced cell cycle delay, mainly due to S and G(2) blocks. The increase in UV-induced micronuclei formation observed after treatment with Hoechst-33342 indicates that the DNA bound Hoechst-33342 may interfere with the rejoining of DNA strand breaks. Since the treatment of cells with the replication inhibitor aphidicolin reduced the enhancement of UV induced cytotoxicity by Hoechst-33342, ongoing DNA replication appears to stimulate Hoechst-33342 and UV-induced cytotoxicity.     

The thermodynamics of mixing C6 and C7 compounds with a bicyclic compound at infinite dilution

The activity coefficients at infinite dilution have been measured at 25°C for cyclohexane, cyclohexene, 1,3-cyclohexadiene, 1,4-cyclohexadiene, benzene, n-hexane, 1-hexene, 1-hexyne, n-heptane, 1-heptene and 1-heptyne in decahydronaphthalene, bicyclohexyl, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene and cyclohexylbenzene. These results, together with previously determined H _m ^E and V _m ^E have been used to calculate the partial molar excess thermodynamic properties of mixing at infinite dilution.