Selective Ruthenium Labeling of the Tryptophan Residue in the Bee Venom Peptide Melittin

Melittin is a membrane‐active peptide from bee venom with promising antimicrobial and anticancer activity. Herein we report on a simple and selective method for labeling of the tryptophan residue in melittin by the organometallic fragment [(C₅H₅)Ru]⁺ in aqueous solution and in air. Ruthenium coordination does not disturb the secondary structure of the peptide (as verified by 2D NMR spectroscopy), but changes the pattern of its intermolecular interactions resulting in an 11‐fold decrease of hemolytic activity. The high stability of the organometallic conjugate allowed the establishment of the biodistribution of the labeled melittin in mice by inductively coupled plasma MS analysis of ruthenium.     

Electrochemical method for the preparation nanocomposites based on carbon nanotubes and chromium oxides for oxygen electrodes

An electrochemical method for the preparation of nanostructured composites based on multiwalled carbon nanotubes and chromium oxide is proposed. The method involves electrodeposition of chromium oxides from a solution of hexavalent chromium oxide in sulfuric acid on carbon nanotubes. By varying the electrolysis conditions one can obtain deposited—catalyst particles of different size and vary the amount of catalyst. Oxygen electrodes have been made from the materials obtained for fuel cells with alkaline electrolyte, which showed good electrocatalytic properties.     

Validation of reducing-difference procedure for the interpretation of non-polarized infrared spectra of n-component solid mixtures

Validation of reducing-difference procedure based on subtracting of non-polarized infrared (IR) spectra of n-component solid mixtures is presented. The accuracy and precision are established. The limits of detection are 3.0, 2.5, 1.5 and 1.0 wt.% for 5-, 4-, 3-and 2-component mixtures, respectively. Smoothing procedures for IR spectral analysis, based on Savitzky-Golay or Fourier methods are applied as well. The mean values and relative standard deviations for peak position (ν_i) and integral absorbance (A_i) obtained by this data processing approach have been examined using Student's t-test.     

Stereoselective electrocatalytic transformation of arylidenemalononitriles and malononitrile into (1R,5S,6R)-6-aryl-2-amino-4,4-dialkoxy-1,5-dicyano-3-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hex-2-enes

Electrolysis of arylidenemalononitriles and malononitrile in alcohols in an undivided cell in the presence of sodium bromide as mediator results in the stereoselective formation of (1R,2S,6R)^*-6-aryl-2-amino-4,4-dialkoxy-1,5-dicyano-3-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hex-2-enes in 60-80% yields.     

Stereoselective electrocatalytic transformation of malonate and alkylidenecyanoacetates into (E)-3-substituted 2-cyanocyclopropane-1,1,2-tricarboxylates

Electrolysis of malonate and alkylidenecyanoacetates in alcohols in an undivided cell in the presence of NaBr results in stereoselective formation of (E)-3-substituted 2-cyanocyclopropane-1,1,2-tricarboxylates in 75-90% yields.     

Spectral analysis and crystal structure of a new mononuclear copper(II) complex of 3-aminopyridine

A new Cu(II)-complex of 3-aminopyridine, [CuCl(3-AP)₄][Cu(3-AP)₄(H₂O)]Cl₃ · 2H₂O (1), containing two contrasting complex cations has been synthesized and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction and solid-state linear-dichroic infrared (IR-LD) spectral analysis. In both cations four 3-AP molecules coordinate the Cu(II) atom in a monodentate fashion through their endocyclic (N_py) nitrogens, thereby generating a square-planar coordination geometry for the CuN₄ chromophor. Perpendicular to the N₄ plane, the metal ion is coordinated by a chloride anion in the first cation and a water ligand in the second cation. One of three additional water molecules of crystallization occupies the vacant octahedral site of the second cation and participates in a weak Cu···OH₂ interaction. An IR-LD spectral analysis of the samples, oriented as a suspension in a nematic liquid crystal confirmed the crystallographic data and the retention of the pyridine ring aromatic character after coordination. The presented results are additionally supported by UV, ¹H-NMR, EPR and MS analysis and by thermogravimetric and calorimetric data.     

Classification of polyhedral matroids

This paper establishes polyhedral properties of matroidal structures. Classical problems such as enumeration and classification of polyhedra matroids, the characterization of face complexes, the metric properties of graphs of polymatroids are considered. Supported by DAAD and Belarussian Fundamental Science Fund