The search for a new model structure of β-Factor XIIa

We present the search for a new model of -factor XIIa, a blood coagulation enzyme, with an unknown experimental 3D-structure. We decided to build not one but three different models using different homologous proteins as well as different techniques and different modellers. Additional studies, including extensive molecular dynamics simulations on the solvated state, allowed us to draw several conclusions concerning homology modelling, in general, and -factor XIIa, in particular.     

Use of thermomagnetometry in the study of iron-containing pyrotechnic systems

Thermal analysis is routinely used to characterize pyrotechnic fuels, oxidants and fuel/oxidant mixtures [1]. Thermomagnetometry (TM) can provide additional information if the magnetic properties of the materials change during reaction. TG, TM and DTA results for the iron/potassium permanganate, iron/barium peroxide, and iron/strontium peroxide systems as loose powders or pressed pellets indicate predominantly solid-gas mechanisms for reactions in these systems.     

Ξ Resonances in Ξ− Be interactions II. Properties of Ξ(1820) and Ξ(1960) in the\Lambda \bar K^0 and\Sigma ^0 \bar K^0 channels

In an experiment at the CERN-SPS charged hyperon beam, we have investigated the inclusive \(\Lambda \bar K^0 \) and \(\Sigma ^0 \bar K^0 \) final states formed in Ξ^? Be interactions. In the \(\Lambda \bar K^0 \) channel, we observe a signal at 1826 MeV/c² which can be identified with the known Ξ(1820) resonance. We determine its mass and width to be:M=1826±4 MeV/c², Г=12±14 MeV/c². A moment analysis is consistent with a spin of 3/2 and indicates a negative parity for this spin assignment. Also in the \(\Lambda \bar K^0 \) channel, we observe a 3.6σ signal with the following parameters:M=1963±5 MeV/c², Г=25±15 MeV/c². This state, which we call Ξ(1960), is not observed in the \(\Sigma ^0 \bar K^0 \) channel, leading to an upper limit on the ratio of partial widths \(\Sigma \bar K/\Lambda \bar K\) of 2.3 (90% confidence level). A moment analysis of the \(\Lambda \bar K^0 \) final state indicates a spin of 5/2 or greater in the natural spin-parity series 5/2⁺, 7/2^?, etc.     

Kinetics and mechanism of rhenium-catalyzed O atom transfer from epoxides

O atom transfer from epoxides cis-stilbene oxide and styrene oxide to triphenylphosphine catalyzed by Tp'ReO(3) (Tp' = hydridotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate) is shown to proceed via an unexpectedly complex combination of mechanisms. Reduction of Tp'ReO(3) with PPh(3) in THF is rapid above room temperature to form a highly reactive species suggested to be Tp'ReO(2). Spectroscopic examination and attempts to isolate this by chromatography lead only to Tp'Re(O)(OH)(2) (1); exposure of the crude reduction mixture to ethanol results in formation of Tp'Re(O)(OEt)(OH) (3). Both 1 and 3 are as efficient catalysts for O atom transfer as the unpurified mixture resulting from reaction of PPh(3) with Tp'ReO(3); all three rhenium reactants give the same turnover frequency to within 10% at identical [Re](total) and [epoxide]. The kinetic behavior of the catalytic system (epoxide:Re = 20) is complex; an initial "burst" of alkene production is seen, which quickly tapers off and falls into a pseudo-zero-order reaction. The majority of rhenium is observed to exist as the syn-Tp'Re(O)(diolate) complex, formed by ring expansion of the epoxide. However, cycloreversion of this diolate is incapable of accounting for the observed catalytic turnover frequency. An additional intermediate, a coordinated epoxide, is proposed to form and partition between ring expansion and direct fragmentation to alkene; eventually a steady-state concentration of diolate forms. Competition between direct atom transfer and ring expansion followed by diolate cycloreversion is demonstrated by reaction of 3 with excess cis-stilbene oxide and styrene oxide in the absence of reductant to give a 4:1 mixture of alkene and syn-diolate from cis-stilbene oxide or a 5.5:1 mixture of alkene and syn-diolate from styrene oxide under conditions where diolate cycloreversion is a negligible contributor.     

Molecular addition compounds. 16. New, highly reactive borane adducts with N,N-dialkyl-tert-alkylamines for hydroboration

Several N,N-diethyl-tert-alkylamines, such as N,N-diethyl-2-methyl-2-butylamine (1, t-PentNEt2), N,N-diethyl-2,3-dimethyl-2-butylamine (2, t-HexNEt2), N,N-diethyl-2,3,3-trimethyl-2-butylamine (3, t-HeptNEt2), and N,N-diethyl-1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutylamine (4, t-OctNEt2) with varying steric bulk around nitrogen (by changing the tert-alkyl group) have been prepared and examined as borane carriers. The complexing ability of these N,N-diethyl-tert-alkylamines with borane decreases in the order: t-BuNEt2 > t-PentNEt2 > t-HeptNEt2 > t-HexNEt2 > or = t-OctNEt2. From these preliminary studies, the more promising tert-octyldialkylamines were selected for detailed studies. The optimum steric bulk around the nitrogen atom was established by comparing various tert-octyldialkylamines containing variable steric requirements for both the alkyl groups. The complexing ability of these amines with borane decreases in the order shown: t-OctNMe2 (5) > t-OctNEtMe (6) > t-OctN-(CH2CH2)2O (7) > t-OctNEt2 (4) > t-OctNBuiMe (8) > t-OctNPr(n)2 (9). The reactivity of the corresponding borane adducts toward 1-octene increases in the reverse order. Among the various tert-octyldialkylamine-boranes prepared and examined, only t-OctNEt2 (4) forms a highly reactive liquid borane adduct, which hydroborates 1-octene in tetrahydrofuran rapidly at room temperature. Accordingly, detailed hydroboration studies with this new, highly reactive amine-borane adduct, t-OctEt2N:BH3 (10) and representative mono-, di-, tri-, and tetra-substituted olefins were carried out at room temperature (22 +/- 3 degrees C) in selected solvents, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, tert-butyl methyl ether, n-pentane and dichloromethane. Simple unhindered olefins were hydroborated to the trialkylborane stage, whereas hindered olefins were partially hydroborated to the mono or dialkylborane stage. The hydroborations can be carried out conveniently in a variety of solvents. The amine-borane adduct showed enhanced reactivity in dioxane but low reactivity in dichloromethane. The alkylboranes obtained after hydroboration were oxidized with hydrogen peroxide/sodium hydroxide and the product alcohols were obtained in quantitative yields, as established by GC analysis. The carrier amine was recovered by simple acid-base manipulations in good yield and can be readily recycled back to the borane adduct.