Learning Markov chains in fractal compression of image data

In a recent paper [17] we proposed a stochastic algorithm which generates optimal probabilities for the decompression of an image represented by the fixed point of an IFS system (SAOP). We show here that such an algorithm is in fact a non trivial example of Generalized Random System with Complete Connections. We also exhibit a generalization which could represent the solution to the inverse problem for an image with grey levels, if a fixed set of contraction maps is available. Received: 1 July 2002     

Assignment of the EPR spectrum of 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) superoxide spin adduct

[structure: see text] Spin trapping consists of using a nitrone or a nitroso compound to "trap" an unstable free radical as a long-lived nitroxide that can be characterized by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The formation of DMPO-OOH, the spin adduct resulting from trapping superoxide (O(2)(*)(-)) with 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO), has been exploited to detect the generation of superoxide in a wide variety of biological and chemical systems. The 12-line EPR spectrum of DMPO-OOH has been either reported or mentioned in more than a thousand papers. It has been interpreted as resulting from the following couplings: A(N) approximately 1.42 mT, A(H)beta approximately 1.134 mT, and A(H)gamma(1H) approximately 0.125 mT. However, the DMPO-OOH EPR spectrum has an asymmetry that cannot be reproduced when the spectrum is calculated considering a single species. Recently, it was proposed that the 0.125 mT splitting was misassigned and actually results from the superimposition of two individual EPR spectra associated with different conformers of DMPO-OOH. We have prepared 5,5-dimethyl-[3,3-(2)H(2)]-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO-d(2)), and we showed that the EPR spectrum of the corresponding superoxide spin adduct is composed of only six lines, in agreement with the assignment of the 0.125 mT splitting to a gamma-splitting from a hydrogen atom bonded to carbon 3 of DMPO. This result was supported by DFT calculations including water solvation, and the asymmetry of the DMPO-OOH EPR spectrum was nicely reproduced assuming a chemical exchange between two conformers.     

Novel "Potentially antiaromatic", acidichromic quinonediimines with tunable delocalization of their 6 pi-electron subunits

We present a novel family of "potentially antiaromatic" alkyl-substituted p-benzoquinonediimine pH-dependent chromophores. It appears from the structural data that these overall 12 pi-electron molecules should be better considered as constituted by two chemically connected but electronically not conjugated 6 pi-electron subunits. Molecule 5 appears to be the first example of two separated, conjugated, and localized 6 pi-electron systems that can be tuned by reversible protonation to become delocalized. The mono- and diprotonated derivatives have been characterized by spectroscopic methods and X-ray diffraction. These systems develop supramolecular interactions in the solid state that clearly reflect the degree of protonation and depend on the nature of the counterion. These compounds constitute new chromophores for which the color can be tuned depending on the degree of protonation, going in solution from yellow for 5 to red for 5.HCl and blue for 5.2HCl. Theoretical calculations have provided a deeper insight into the electronic structure of these molecules and allowed an assignment of the experimental UV-vis spectra. The visible and near-UV spectrum of the neutral and protonated benzoquinonediimines can be classically assigned from the coupling of two 6 pi-electron polymethine units. TD-DFT calculations confirm the observed red shift of the two lowest pi --> pi* transitions of the benzoquinonediimines upon protonation and relate it to the moderate energy lowering of the HOMO --> LUMO transition induced by the delocalization of the polymethine pi system.     

Tunable N-substitution in zwitterionic benzoquinonemonoimine derivatives: metal coordination, tandemlike synthesis of zwitterionic metal complexes, and supramolecular structures

Full details on a very efficient transamination reaction for the synthesis of zwitterionic N,N-dialkyl-2-amino-5-alcoholate-1,4-benzoquinonemonoiminium derivatives [C6H2(=NHR)2(=O)2] 5-16 are reported. The molecular structures of zwitterions 5 (R=CH3) in 5.H2O, 13 (R=CH2CH2OMe), 15 (R=CH2CH2NMe2), and of the parent, unsubstituted system [C6H2(=NH2)2(=O)2] 4 in 4.H2O have been established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. This one-pot preparation can be carried out in water, MeOH, or EtOH and allows access to new zwitterions with N-substituents bearing functionalities such as -OMe (13), -OH (9-12), NR1R2 with R1 = or not equal R2 (14-16) or an alkene (8), leading to a rich coordination chemistry and allowing fine-tuning of the supramolecular arrangements in the solid state. As previously described for 15, which reacted with Zn(acac)2 to afford the octahedral Zn(II) complex [Zn[C6H2(NCH2CH2NMe2)O(O)(NHCH2CH2NMe2)]2] (20), ligands 13 and 16 with coordinating "arms" afforded with Zn(acac)2 the 2:1 adducts [Zn[C6H2(NCH2CH2X)O(=O)(NHCH2CH2NX)]2] 19 (X=OMe) and 21 (X=NHEt), with N2O4 and N4O2 donor sets around the octahedral Zn(II) center, respectively. Furthermore, zwitterions 15 and 16 reacted with ZnCl2 to give the stable, crystallographically characterized Zn(II) zwitterionic complexes [ZnCl2[C6H2(NCH2CH2NR1R2)O(=O)(NHCH2CH2NHR1R2)]] 22 (R1=R2=Me) and 23 (R1=Et, R2=H) by means of an unprecedented, tandemlike synthesis in which 1) the two pendant amino groups of the organic benzoquinonemonoimine zwitterionic precursor favor metal coordination and proton transfer and 2) the saturated linker prevents pi-conjugation between the charges. The nature of the structural arrangements in the solid state for both inorganic (20, 22, 23) and organic (5, 9, 13, and 15) molecules is determined by subtle variations in the nature of the N-substituent on the zwitterion precursor.     

Acid-base sensors based on novel quinone-type dyes

We present a detailed study on the acid-base behaviour of a family of "potentially antiaromatic" p-benzoquinonediimine ligands. These 12pi electron molecules can be considered as constituted of two chemically connected but electronically not conjugated 6pi-electron subunits. Upon successive protonation, "mono" and "double" cyanine-type chromophores are generated in solution and allow a precise and sensitive spectrophotometric detection. These molecules represent a new class of tunable quinones whose electronic and structural properties can be triggered by proton input, as established by a complete physico-chemical study involving a combination of potentiometric and spectrophotometric methods (absorption and emission).     

A Cucurbit[8]uril 2:2 Complex with a Negative pKa Shift

A viologen derivative carrying a benzimidazole group ( V-P-I ²⁺; viologen–phenylene–imidazole V-P-I ) can be dimerized in water using cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]) in the form of a 2:2 complex resulting in a negative shift of the guest pK_a, by more than 1 pH unit, contrasting with the positive pK_a shift usually observed for CB-based complexes. Whereas 2:2 complex protonation is unclear by NMR, silver cations have been used for probing the accessibility of the imidazole groups of the 2:2 complexes. The protonation capacity of the buried imidazole groups is reduced, suggesting that CB[8] could trigger proton release upon 2:2 complex formation. The addition of CB[8] to a solution containing V-P- I ³⁺ indeed released protons as monitored by pH-metry and visualized by a coloured indicator. This property was used to induce a host/guest swapping, accompanied by a proton transfer, between V-P-I ³⁺ ⋅ CB[7] and a CB[8] complex of 1-methyl-4-(4-pyridyl)pyridinium. The origin of this negative pK_a shift is proposed to stand in an ideal charge state, and in the position of the two pH-responsive fragments inside the two CB[8] which, alike residues engulfed in proteins, favour the deprotonated form of the guest molecules. Such proton release triggered by a recognition event is reminiscent of several biological processes and may open new avenues toward bioinspired enzyme mimics catalyzing proton transfer or chemical reactions.     

Polyesters by a Radical Pathway: Rationalization of the Cyclic Ketene Acetal Efficiency

Radical ring-opening polymerization (rROP) of cyclic ketene acetals (CKAs) combines the advantages of both ring-opening polymerization and radical polymerization thereby allowing the robust production of polyesters coupled with the mild polymerization conditions of a radical process. rROP was recently rejuvenated by the possibility to copolymerize CKAs with classic vinyl monomers leading to the insertion of cleavable functionality into a vinyl-based copolymer backbone and thus imparting (bio)degradability. Such materials are suitable for a large scope of applications, particularly within the biomedical field. The competition between the ring-opening and ring-retaining propagation routes is a major complication in the development of efficient CKA monomers, ultimately leading to the use of only four monomers that are known to completely ring-open under all experimental conditions. In this article we investigate the radical ring-opening polymerization of model CKA monomers and demonstrate by the combination of DFT calculations and kinetic modeling using PREDICI software that we are now able to predict in silico the ring-opening ability of CKA monomers.