Synthesis and characterization of Mo(6) chalcobromides and cyano-substituted compounds built from a novel [(Mo(6)Br(i)(6)Y(i)(2))L(a)(6)](n)()(-) discrete cluster unit (Y(i) = S or Se and L(a) = Br or CN)

The syntheses, crystal structures determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and characterizations of new Mo(6) cluster chalcobromides and cyano-substituted compounds with 24 valence electrons per Mo(6) cluster (VEC = 24), are presented in this work. The structures of Cs(4)Mo(6)Br(12)S(2) and Cs(4)Mo(6)Br(12)Se(2) prepared by solid state routes are based on the novel [(Mo(6)Br(i)(6)Y(i)(2))Br(a)(6)](4)(-) (Y = S, Se) discrete units in which two chalcogen and six bromine ligands randomly occupy the inner positions, while the six apical ones are fully occupied by bromine atoms. The interaction of these two compounds with aqueous KCN solution results in apical ligand exchange giving the two first Mo(6) cyano-chalcohalides: Cs(0.4)K(0.6)(Et(4)N)(11)[(Mo(6)Br(6)S(2))(CN)(6)](3).16H(2)O and Cs(0.4)K(0.6)(Et(4)N)(11)[(Mo(6)Br(6)Se(2))(CN)(6)](3).16H(2)O. Their crystal structures, built from the original [(Mo(6)Br(i)(6)Y(i)(2))(CN)(a)(6)](4)(-) discrete units, will be compared to those of the two solid state precursors and other previously reported Mo(6) cluster compounds. Their redox properties and (77)Se NMR characterizations will be presented. Crystal data: Cs(4)Mo(6)Br(12)S(2), orthorhombic, Pbca (No. 61), a = 11.511(5) A, b = 18.772(5) A, c = 28.381 A (5), Z = 8; Cs(4)Mo(6)Br(12)Se(2), Pbca (No. 61), a = 11.6237(1) A, b = 18.9447(1) A, c = 28.4874(1) A, Z = 8; Cs(0.4)K(0.6)(Et(4)N)(11)[(Mo(6)Br(6)S(2))(CN)(6)](3).16H(2)O, Pm-3m (No. 221), a = 17.1969(4) A, Z = 1; Cs(0.4)K(0.6)(Et(4)N)(11)[(Mo(6)Br(6)Se(2))(CN)(6)](3).16H(2)O, Pm-3m (No. 221), a = 17.235(5) A, Z = 1.     

Triplex and quadruplex DNA structures studied by electrospray mass spectrometry

DNA triplex and quadruplex structures have been successfully detected by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Circular dichroism and UV-melting experiments show that these structures are stable in 150 mM ammonium acetate at pH 7 for the quadruplexes and pH 5.5 for the triplexes. The studied quadruplexes were the tetramer [d(TGGGGT)](4), the dimer [d(GGGGTTTTGGGG)](2), and the intramolecular folded strand dGGG(TTAGGG)(3), which is an analog of the human telomeric sequence. The absence of sodium contamination allowed demonstration of the specific inclusion of n - 1 ammonium cations in the quadruplex structures, where n is the number of consecutive G-tetrads. We also detected the complexes between the quadruplexes and the quadruplex-specific drug mesoporphyrin IX. MS/MS spectra of [d(TGGGGT)](4) and the complex with the drug are also reported. As the drug does not displace the ammonium cations, one can conclude that the drug binds at the exterior of the tetrads, and not between them. For the triplex structure the ESI-MS spectra show the detection of the specific triplex, at m/z values typically higher than those typically observed for duplex species. Upon MS/MS the antigene strand, which is bound into the major groove of the duplex, separates from the triplex. This is the same dissociation pathway as in solution. To our knowledge this is the first report of a triplex DNA structure by electrospray mass spectrometry.     

Studies on structure characterization of tryptophan melanin: Comparison between filament and curie-point pyrolysis gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

Structural studies of a synthetic melanin, obtained by means of performic acid oxidation of tryptophan, were carried out by pyrolysis gas chromatography/mass Spectrometry (Py-GC/MS). To identify the best pyrolysis conditions, both Curie-point pyrolysis and filament pyrolysis were employed and the effects of pyrolysis temperatures and times were studied. Using the first approach, various compounds were identified: toluene, ethylbenzene, styrene, indole, methylindole, ethylindole, phenol, cresol and ethylphenol. Using filament pyrolysis some interesting differences could be observed. Whereas toluene, ethylbenzene, phenol, cresol and methylindole were found, neither indole nor ethylindole was detected. Instead, new pyrolysis products were evident, such as methylpyrrole and indolin-2-one. Hence filament pyrolysis seems to activate different thermal decomposition pathways of the melanin under study. It is suggested that tryptophan melanin is a polymer containing indole and hydroxyindole derivatives as subunits.     

Complex forming and extraction properties of oligo benzo-fused crown ethers

The complex forming properties with alkali metal and ammonium ions of a series of oligo benzo-condensed 18-crown-6 ethers1–8 having a different gradation of lipophilicity and of molecular rigidity are investigated by voltammetry at the interface of two immiscible electrolyte solutions (ITIES) and by a liquid-liquid extraction technique. The experimental results obtained in the two phase system H₂O/nitrobenzene are discussed in relation to the structure of the crown and the cation type. The stability constants for the 1 : 1 complexes of Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, Cs⁺ and NH ₄ ⁺ in nitrobenzene have been determined and compared with the extraction constants for the 1: 1 complexes of Na⁺ and K⁺ and for the 1 : 1 and 1 : 2 complexes of Cs⁺, showing the effect of oligo benzo condensation for the 18-crown-6 system.     

First anhydrous gold perchlorato complex: ClO(2)Au(ClO(4))(4). Synthesis and molecular and crystal structure analysis

Chlorine trioxide, Cl(2)O(6), reacts with Au metal, AuCl(3), or HAuCl(4).nH(2)O to yield the well-defined chloryl salt, ClO(2)Au(ClO(4))(4). The crystal and molecular structure of ClO(2)Au(ClO(4))(4) was solved by a Rietveld analysis of powder X-ray diffraction data. The salt crystallizes in a monoclinic cell, space group C2/c, with cell parameters a = 15.074(5), b = 5.2944(2), and c = 22.2020(2) A and beta = 128.325(2) degrees. The structure displays discrete ClO(2)(+) ions lying in channels formed by Au(ClO(4))(4)(-) stacks. Au is located in a distorted square planar environment: Au-O = 1.87 and 2.06 A. [ClO(4)] groups are monodentate with ClO(b) = 1.53 and ClO(t) = 1.39 A (mean distances; O(b), oxygen bonded to Au; O(t), free terminal oxygen). A full vibrational study of the Au(ClO(4))(4)(-) anion is supported by DFT calculations.     

Structure of the liquid-vapor interface of water-methanol mixtures as seen from Monte Carlo simulations

Monte Carlo simulation of the vapor-liquid interface of water-methanol mixtures of different compositions, ranging from pure water to pure methanol, have been performed on the canonical (N, V, T) ensemble at 298 K. The analysis of the systems simulated has revealed that the interface is characterized by a double layer structure: methanol is strongly adsorbed at the vapor side of the interface, whereas this adsorption layer is followed at its liquid side by a depletion layer of methanol of lower concentration than in the bulk liquid phase of the system. The dominant feature of the interface has been found to be the adsorption layer in systems of methanol mole fractions below 0.2, and the depletion layer in systems of methanol mole fractions between 0.25 and 0.5. The orientation of the molecules located at the depletion layer is found to be already uncorrelated with the interface, whereas the methanol molecules of the adsorption layer prefer to align perpendicular to the interface, pointing straight toward the vapor phase by their methyl group. Although both the preference of the molecular plane for a perpendicular alignment with the interface and the preference of the methyl group for pointing straight to the vapor phase are found to be rather weak, the preference of the methyl group for pointing as straight toward the vapor phase as possible within the constraint imposed by the orientation of the molecular plane is found to be fairly strong. One of the two preferred orientations of the interfacial water molecules present in the neat system is found to disappear in the presence of methanol, because methanol molecules aligned in their preferred orientation can replace these water molecules in the hydrogen-bonding pattern of the interface.     

Underpotential deposition of hydrogen on benzene-modified Pt(111) in aqueous H2SO4

The Pt(111) electrode is modified by an overlayer of C6H6 (ads) upon its cycling in the 0.05-0.80 V range in aq H2SO4 + 1 mM C6H6. The C6H6 (ads) overlayer significantly changes the underpotential-deposited H (H(UPD)) and anion adsorption, and cyclic-voltammetry (CV) profiles show a sharp cathodic peak and an asymmetric anodic one in the 0.05-0.80 V potential range. The C6H6 (ads) layer blocks the (bi)sulfate adsorption but facilitates the adsorption of one monolayer of H(UPD). Cycling of the benzene-modified Pt(111) in benzene-free aq 0.05 H2SO4 from 0.05 to 0.80 V results in a partial desorption of C6H6 (ads) and in a partial recovery of the CV profile characteristic of an unmodified Pt(111). The peak potential of the cathodic and anodic feature is independent of the scan rate, s (10 < or = s < or = 100 mV s(-1)), and the peak current density increases linearly with an increase of the scan rate. Temperature variation modifies the peak potential and current density but does not affect the charge density of the cathodic or anodic feature. Temperature-dependent studies allow us to determine the thermodynamic state function for the H(UPD) adsorption and desorption. Delta G degrees(ads)(H(UPD))assumes values from -4 to -12 kJ mol(-1), while has values from 9 to 14 kJ mol(-1). The values of delta Delta G degrees (delta Delta G degrees = delat Delta G degrees(ads) + delta Delta D degrees(des)) decrease almost linearly from 6 kJ mol(-1) at theta(H(UPD) --> 0 to 0 kJ mol(-1) at theta(H(UPD) --> 1. The nonzero values of delta Delta G degrees testify that the adsorbing and desorbing H(UPD) adatoms interact with an energetically different substrate. The lateral interactions changed from repulsive (omega = 29 kJ mol(-1) at theta(H(UPD) --> 0) to attractive (omega = -28 kJ mol(-1) at theta(H(UPD) --> 1) as the H(UPD) coverage increases. The values of delta S degrees(ads)(H(UPD)) increase from 19 to 56 J K(-1) mol(-1), while those of delta S degrees(des)(H(UPD)) decrease from 45 to -30 J K(-1) mol(-1) with an increase of H(UPD) coverage. The values of delta H degrees(des)(H(UPD)) and delta H degrees(des)(H(UPD)) vary from 0 to 27 kJ mol(-1). The Pt(111)-H(UPD) surface bond energy at the benzene-modified Pt(111) electrode falls in the 191-218 kJ mol(-1) range and is weaker than in the case of the unmodified Pt(111) electrode in the same electrolyte.     

Bioaccumulation study of acrylates in algae (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlorella kessleri</Emphasis>) by Py-GC and Py-GC/MS

Acrylate monomers methylmethacrylate (MMA) and cyclohexylmethacrylate (CHMA) bioaccumulation has been determined in aquatic organism, algae (Chlorella kessleri). Algae were collected in amount of 0.4 mg and directly injected to the pyrolytical cell. In algae bodies accumulated monomers were analysed by pyrolysis gas chromatography (Py-GC) and pyrolysis gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS). Traces of the accumulated monomers in algae body can be determined after 1-, 2-, 3-weeks of incubation. Maximum content of MMA was determined after 3-week of experiment, contrariwise in the case of CHMA after 2-week exposition. Relationship with pyrolysis temperature has also been studied.     

Structural-chemical disorder of manganese dioxides 1. Influence on surface properties at the solid-electrolyte interface

Relationships between lattice parameters of manganese dioxides and their surface properties at the solid-aqueous solution interface were investigated. The studied series ranged from ramsdellite to pyrolusite and encompassed disordered MD samples. The structural model used takes into account structural defects: Pr (rate of pyrolusite intergrowth) and Tw (rate of microtwinning). Water adsorption isotherms showed that the cross sectional area of water molecules adsorbed in the first monolayer is positively correlated to Pr. Titration of the surface charge of the MD series evidenced a positive linear relationship between the PZC and Pr (Pr=0, Tw=0, PZC=1 for ramsdellite; Pr=1, Tw=0, PZC=7.3 for pyrolusite; gamma-MD with intermediate values of Pr (0.2 to 0.45) have increasing PZC values). The rate of microtwinning appeared as a secondary factor for the increase of the PZC. The above correlations are explained by the chemical defects at the origin of the structural disorder, respectively Mn(3+)/Mn4+ substitution for Pr and Mn vacancies for Tw, which result in proton affinity and thus in increased PZC. The experimental results are compared with data collected in the literature for manganese dioxides as well as for dioxides of transition elements with tetragonal structure.     

Synthesis of new derivatives of 4-amino-2,4-dihydro-1,2,4-triazol-3-one as potential antibacterial agents

Thirty new 2-substituted-4-amino-5-alkyl or aryl-2,4-dihydro-1,2,4-triazol-3-ones and ten 2-substituted-5-alkyl or aryl-4-(5-nitro-2-furfurylidene)amino-2,4-dihydro-1,2,4-triazol-3-ones were synthesized and characterised by their sharp melting points, elemental analysis, ir and ¹H nmr spectra. These new derivatives of 5-nitro-2-furaldehyde were screened for their antibacterial activities. Most of the compounds showed good activity against one test organism, Staphylococcus aureus. For a few compounds, C.M.I. ranged from 4 to 8 μg/ml (higher results than nitrofurantoin).