Polynomial path for the calculation of liquid state free energies from computer simulations tested on liquid water

The polynomial path is introduced for the calculation of liquid state free energies. The well-characterized SPC, TIP4P, and MCY water models were used to demonstrate its efficiency, as well as its range of applicability in conjunction with Monte Carlo computer simulations using thermodynamic integration based on Gaussian quadratures. The technique employed is compared with the slow-growth method (another variant of thermodynamic integration), the perturbation method, and the use of the grand-canonical ensemble.     

Utilisation d'ylides du phosphore en chimie des sucres. XVIII Synthèse de furannoses à insaturation conjuguée. Communication préliminaire

Several sugars with conjugated unsaturation (dienes or α, β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds) have been synthesised by use of Wittig reactions. Keto-sugars bearing a carbonyl group α to a furanose ring are prone to undergo an elimination leading to conjugated unsaturated systems. This constitutes a novel kind of side-reaction in the application of Wittig reactions to carbonyl sugars. The synthesis of a new kind of acetylenic sugar is also described.     

Analytical selenoamino acid studies by chromatography with interfaced atomic mass spectrometry and atomic emission spectral detection

Consumption of selenium enriched plants or yeast-based nutritional supplements has been reported to provide anticarcinogenic benefits which are selenium compound dependent. Separation and identification of these selenium compounds is critical to understand the activity. Plants and yeast convert inorganic selenium in the soil or growth media into organoselenium compounds, probably following a route similar to the sulfur assimilatory pathway. Non-volatile selenium compounds produced include selenoamino acids, some of which have shown anticarcinogenic activity. Volatile compounds produced by chemical reaction of involatile precursors have also been found. An ion pair chromatographic method with ICP-MS detection for the separation of selenoamino acid standards potentially present in real samples is given. The method allows separation of selenoamino acids including such analytes as the cis-trans isomers of Se-1-propenyl-dl-selenocysteine. The method also provides the capability of determining the presence of selenoxides and possibly selenones, and tracking of other functionalities and reactions by selective derivatization. Alternatively, selenoamino acids are treated with ethylchloroformate to produce stable volatile derivatives which are amenable to GC separation with element specific atomic emission detection (GC-AED). Results of total selenium determination and speciation of selenium enriched yeast-based nutritional supplements, selenium enriched allium vegetables and bioremediation samples are presented. Received: 16 February 1998 / Revised: 4 June 1998 / Accepted: 9 June 1998     

Dérivés C-glycosyliques XXIII. Radicaux libres stables dérivés de sucre Communication préliminaire

Treated with 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-bis-(hydroxylamino)-butane, aldehydo-dialdofuranoses ( 1 ) gave a mixture of two compounds: a 1,3-dihydroxyimidazolidine ( 2 ) and a 1-hydroxyimidazoline ( 3 ). Oxidation (PbO₂) of compounds 3 gave stable free radicals having the structure of 2-C-Glycosyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazolines 1-oxyl ( 4 ), whereas 2-C-Glycosyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazolines 3-oxide 1-oxyl ( 5 ) were formed by oxidation of 2 . The ESR. spectra of compounds 4 and 5 establish the structure of the imidazoline part of these radicals and provide informations on the sugar moiety.     

Excess free energy of different water models computed by Monte Carlo methods

The excess free energy and entropy of three water models (ST2, MCY and SPC) are determined using Monte Carlo thermodynamic integration, with soft spheres as a reference system. The method used is compared with two other methods, the umbrella sampling and the overlap ratio methods. A simple self check for the umbrella sampling method is proposed.     

High-resolution far-infrared spectroscopy at NSLS beamline U12IR

A Bruker model IFS 125HR Fourier transform interferometer has been installed and its performance tested using high-brightness, far-infrared synchrotron radiation. Results of absorption measurements for the rotational modes of water vapor demonstrate a nearly 10-fold improvement in signal-to-noise when compared with the instrument’s internal high-pressure Hg arc lamp source.     

Femtosecond studies of charge-transfer mediated proton transfer in 2-butylamino-6-methyl-4-nitropyridine N-oxide

We have unraveled the effects of an amino substituent in the ortho position on the excited-state dynamics of 4-nitropyridine N-oxide by studying the picosecond fluorescence kinetics and femtosecond transient absorption of a newly synthesized compound, 2-butylamino-6-methyl-4-nitropyridine N-oxide, and by quantum chemical calculations. Similar to the parent compound, the S(1) state of the target molecule has significant charge-transfer character and shows a large (approximately 8000 cm(-1)) static Stokes shift in acetonitrile. Analysis of the experimental and the theoretical results leads, however, to a new scenario in which this intramolecular charge transfer triggers in polar, aprotic solvents an ultrafast (around 100 fs) intramolecular proton transfer between the amino and the N-O group. The electronically excited N-OH tautomer is subsequently subject to solvent relaxation and decays with a lifetime of approximately 150 ps to the ground state.