Modeling the Signatures of Hydrides in Metalloenzymes: ENDOR Analysis of a Di-iron Fe(μ-NH)(μ-H)Fe Core

The application of 35 GHz pulsed EPR and ENDOR spectroscopies has established that the biomimetic model complex L(3)Fe(μ-NH)(μ-H)FeL(3) (L(3) = [PhB(CH(2)PPh(2))(3)](-)) complex, 3, is a novel S = (1)/(2) type-III mixed-valence di-iron II/III species, in which the unpaired electron is shared equally between the two iron centers. (1,2)H and (14,15)N ENDOR measurements of the bridging imide are consistent with an allyl radical molecular orbital model for the two bridging ligands. Both the (μ-H) and the proton of the (μ-NH) of the crystallographically characterized 3 show the proposed signature of a 'bridging' hydride that is essentially equidistant between two 'anchor' metal ions: a rhombic dipolar interaction tensor, T ≈ [T, -T, 0]. The point-dipole model for describing the anisotropic interaction of a bridging H as the sum of the point-dipole couplings to the 'anchor' metal ions reproduces this signature with high accuracy, as well as the axial tensor of a terminal hydride, T ≈ [-T, -T, 2T], thus validating both the model and the signatures. This validation in turn lends strong support to the assignment, based on such a point-dipole analysis, that the molybdenum-iron cofactor of nitrogenase contains two [Fe-H(-)-Fe] bridging-hydride fragments in the catalytic intermediate that has accumulated four reducing equivalents (E(4)). Analysis further reveals a complementary similarity between the isotropic hyperfine couplings for the bridging hydrides in 3 and E(4). This study provides a foundation for spectroscopic study of hydrides in a variety of reducing metalloenzymes in addition to nitrogenase.     

Effect of carbon nanotube functionalization in micro-solid-phase extraction (μ-SPE) integrated into the needle of a syringe

In this paper, we report the implementation of polar and nonpolar functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as sorbent in μ-SPE integrated into the needle of a syringe. Excellent preconcentration of diverse pharmaceutical analytes was possible without the need for specific pH adjustments using just 300 μg of functionalized nanotubes. Enrichment factors were as high as 6.4, extraction efficiencies were as high as 25.6%, and detection limits as low as 0.08 ng/ml were obtained. The sorption on nanotubes followed Freundlich isotherms, and it was seen that polar analytes adsorbed more strongly on carboxylated MWCNTs, while amphoteric, relatively less polar and basic analytes had greater affinity for MWCNT and those with octadecylamine functionalization.     

Single-molecule fluorescence detection in microfluidic channels—the Holy Grail in μTAS?

Both single-molecule detection (SMD) methods and miniaturization technologies have developed very rapidly over the last ten years. By merging these two techniques, it may be possible to achieve the optimal requirements for the analysis and manipulation of samples on a single molecule scale. While miniaturized structures and channels provide the interface required to handle small particles and molecules, SMD permits the discovery, localization, counting and identification of compounds. Widespread applications, across various bioscience/analytical science fields, such as DNA-analysis, cytometry and drug screening, are envisaged. In this review, the unique benefits of single fluorescent molecule detection in microfluidic channels are presented. Recent and possible future applications are discussed.Dedicated to the memory of Wilhelm Fresenius     

Development of a micro-total analysis system (μ-TAS) for the determination of catecholamines

In this study, the first micro-total analysis system (μ-TAS) for catecholamines (dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine) analysis in which preconcentration, separation, and determination steps were integrated on a microchip was developed. Electrophoresis microchips in a variety of channel lengths and designs were produced in borofloat glass for the μ-TAS studies. Chambers for the preparation of monolithic disks were formed in the microchips at the intersection of the injection and separation channels. Vinyl phenylboronic acid–ethylene glycol dimethacrylate polymers were prepared as monolithic disks in these chambers with a depth of 0.05 mm and a diameter of 2.1 mm. The microchips could be used more than 50 times if mechanical problems such as plugging or fracturing did not occur. Adsorption and elution of catecholamines were realized electrokinetically, with catecholamines determined via laser-induced native fluorescence detection following elution and electrophoretic separation. The most promising results were obtained with 100 mM phosphate buffer (pH 2) for elution with 25% propanol added to the separation buffer (100 mM phosphate, pH 3).     

Control of the phase formation process in solutions of anionic polyelectrolyte—cationic surfactant complexes in a microfluidic channel

Russian Chemical Bulletin - The process of phase formation in solutions of polyacrylic acid and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide was studied in microfluidic channels with a characteristic size of...     

Characterization of the bis(β-diimino-tetracyano-pyrrolizinido)-metal(II) complexes incorporated in polymeric matrices

The bis(-diimino-tetracyano-pyrrolizinido)-Cu(II) complex (CuL₂) has been incorporated in polystyrene (0.28% w/w), by evaporating tetrahydrofuran solutions either at room temperature (a) or at 100°C (b). From IR and UV-vis measurements and optical microscopy on the resulting films (a orb, thickness 50 m) it is concluded that CuL₂ is present as a concentrated (C10^–1 M) THF solution ina and as small solid particles (diameter <1 m) inb. The difference in colour of the films (dark bluea, light blueb), due to the different physical state of CuL₂ in the matrix, is expected, and has been preliminarily shown using similar films based on NiL₂, to be useful for sensing organic vapours in the atmosphere.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Ti-ZSM-5 in a Non-alkaline Medium in the Presence of Fluoride Ions

Ti-ZSM-5 was synthesized by hydro thermal crystallization in the presence of fluoride via using a non-alkaline medium. pH values were 5~7. SEM showed perfect Ti-ZSM-5 crystals and a large single crystal growing from the favourable medium. Substitution of titanium for silicon in the ZSM-5 framework led to a decrease of crystal size and of the length/width ratio. Electron microprobe analysis indicated a homogeneous distribution of titanium in the ZSM-5 framework. The unit cell parameters of the Ti-ZSM-5 determined by XRD increased with an increase in titanium content in the framework. TiO4tetrahedron vibrations were found in the IR spectrum. Si(1Ti) peakwas seen in the 29Si MAS NMR spectrum at -1O1ppm(from TMS) and 13CMAS NMR analysis verified the effect of (C3H7)4N F- occluded in thechannels. XPS study on the precursors, calcined and H2O2 adsorbed Ti-ZSM-5 was performed and some interesting results were observed.     

Characterization of C-H...π interactions in the structure of the CHClF(2)-HCCH weakly bound complex

The microwave spectra of four isotopologues of the CHClF(2)-HCCH dimer have been measured and used to determine the structure of the complex. An initial scan over the 7-18 GHz region using the chirped-pulse microwave spectrometer at the University of Virginia provided initial assignments of the (35)Cl and (37)Cl isotopologues, with two additional H(13)C(13)CH species assigned using the resonant cavity Balle-Flygare microwave spectrometer at Eastern Illinois University. For the most abundant isotopologue, the rotational constants and quadrupole coupling constants are: A = 3301.21(4) MHz, B = 1353.4268(19) MHz, C = 1153.7351(18) MHz, χ(aa) = 34.681(12) MHz, χ(bb) = -69.70(3) MHz, χ(cc) = 35.02(2) MHz and χ(ab) = -8.8(3) MHz, in good agreement with ab initio calculations at the MP2/6-311++G(2d,2p) level. The alignment of CHClF(2) with respect to acetylene reveals a C-Hπ interaction, with a secondary C-ClH-C interaction also present between the two monomers. The fitted distance between the CHClF(2) hydrogen atom and the center of the triple bond is 2.730(6) ?, the distance between the chlorine atom and the acetylenic hydrogen is 3.061(38) ?, and the C-Hπ angle is 148.2(6)°. In addition, the centrifugal distortion constants give an estimate of the binding energy for the weak interaction of about 4.9(5) kJ mol(-1), in reasonable agreement with several similar complexes.     

Characterization and in vitro Permeation Study of Poly(ϵ‐caprolactone) Nanocapsules Containing Hinokitiol

Nanocapsules containing hinokitiol (HKL) were prepared by an emulsion‐diffusion method. Poly(?‐caprolactone) (PCL), synthesized according to a ring‐ opening method, was used as a wall material, and HKL dissolved in octylsalicylate (OS), was used as a core material. Under a microscope, submicron‐sized microcapsules were observed. The apparent shape was either spherical or amorphous. According to the image analyzer analysis, the size ranges from tenths of a nanometer to one micron, and more than 50% in number were less than 300 nm. In a calorimetric study, HKL exhibited an endothermic peak around 52°C, but no peak for the melting of HKL was observed when it was encapsulated in microcapsules. This suggests HKL remained dissolved in the nanocapsule cores but did not exist as a solid crystalline. In an in vitro permeation study, the flux of HKL encapsulated in the nanocapsules was somewhat higher than that of HKL dissolved in either propylene glycol or ethanol. This is probably because that PCL is hydrophobic, so the nanocapsules would readily interact with skin lipid.     

Study of the Structure and Reactions of Bis(μ-Oxalato)tetramminediplatinum(II) in Aqueous Chloride Solutions

A comparison study of the bis(-oxalato)tetramminediplatinum(II) dimer [Pt₂(NH₃)₄(-C₂O₄)₂] and the oxalatodiammineplatinum(II) chelate [Pt(NH₃)₂C₂O₄] is performed. The kinetics and mechanism of substitution of C₂O^2– ₄ for Cl^– in aqueous chloride solutions are studied by photoelectronic spectroscopy, gravimetry, and chemical phase analysis within the 1.0–6.7 pH range at 75°C. The rate constants of substitution and the equilibrium constants for a two-step protonation for the dimeric and chelate complexes are calculated. Their solubility in 1 M KCl at 75°C; is determined. The unit cell parameters for [Pt₂(NH₃)₄(-C₂O₄)₂] are determined: a = 3.858 Å, b = 10.704 Å, c = 6.795 Å, = 94.35°. The IR spectra of [Pt(NH₃)₂C₂O₄], [Pt₂(NH₃)₄(-C₂O₄)₂], and their deuterated analogs are studied.     

Hydrido-Carbonyl Rhenium Clusters with a Square Geometry of the Metal Core. Synthesis and X-Ray Characterization of the Novel [Re4(μ-H)3(CO)16]− Anion

Three and tetranuclear ring clusters have been obtained by treatment of [Re₂(CO)₈(THF)₂] with carbonyl-rhenates containing two terminal hydrides. The reaction with [ReH₂(CO)₄]^- provided a selective route to the previously known [Re₃(-H)₂(CO)₁₂]^- triangular cluster anion 1. The reaction with [Re₂H₂(-H)(CO)₈]^- gave the novel [Re₄(-H)₃(CO)₁₆]^- anion 2, containing a rare example of a puckered-square metal cluster. Protonation of 1 is known to afford the neutral [Re₃(-H)₃(CO)₁₂] species 3. Analogously the reaction of 2 with a strong acid afforded the previously known square metal clusters [Re₄(-H)₄(CO)₁₆] 4. The reaction could not be reversed by treatment with bases. Photolysis of 4 gave the unsaturated complex [Re₂(-H)₂(CO)₈] 5: this is the reverse of the dimerization reaction, that in THF at room temperature produces 4 from 5. Thermal treatment (reflux in cyclohexane for 24 h) left 4 almost unchanged. A single crystal X-ray analysis of [NEt₄]2 showed a s/e/s/s (e=eclipsed, s=staggered) conformation of the Re(CO)₄ units, leading to a puckered geometry of the ring, at variance with the square-planar geometry of 4 (all eclipsed). Two of the three hydrides of 2 have been located as bridging the Re–Re edges from inside the metal ring, as previously observed in 4. Density functional computations indicated a puckered conformation as the most stable for both 2 and 4, with very low activation energies for ring inversion (6.6 and 2.2 kcal·mol^-1, respectively), but ruled out solid state fluxionality for 4, whose observed planar geometry must be attributed to packing stabilization.     

Hierarchies in the structural organization of spider silk—a quantitative model

The unsurpassed mechanical properties of major ampullate spider silk are quantitatively explained by a hierarchical model of its structural organization. Based on combined time-resolved mechanical and Fourier-transform infrared measurements, we show that the core of native silk fibers is strongly prestressed. The prestress is released during wetting, allowing the fibers to shrink, changing permanently the mechanical properties. Prestress is, therefore, the controlling parameter of silk properties.     

Mixed Bis(μ-silylene) and (μ-Silylene)/(μ-Germylene) Complexes Involving the Rh/Ir Metal Combination: Nature of the Si···Si Interactions in the Bis(μ-silylene) Species

A series of mixed bis(μ-silylene) complexes of rhodium and iridium [RhIr(CO)(2)(μ-SiHR)(μ-SiR(1)R(2))(dppm)(2)] (R = R(1) = R(2) = Ph (4); R = R(1) = Ph, R(2) = Cl (5); R = R(1) = Ph, R(2) = Me (6); R = 3,5-C(6)H(3)F(2), R(1) = Ph, R(2) = Me (7); R = 3,5-C(6)H(3)F(2), R(1) = 2,4,6-C(6)H(2)Me(3), R(2) = H (8)) have been synthesized by the reaction of the silylene-bridged dihydride complexes, [RhIr(H)(2)(CO)(2)(μ-SiHR)(dppm)(2)] (1, R = Ph; 2, R = C(6)H(3)F(2)), with a number of secondary or primary silanes (Ph(2)SiH(2), PhClSiH(2), PhMeSiH(2), C(6)H(2)Me(3)SiH(3)). The influence of substituents and π-stacking interactions on the Si···Si distance (determined by X-ray crystallography) in this series and the implications regarding the nature of the Si···Si interactions are discussed. A series of novel (μ-silylene)/(μ-germylene) complexes, [RhIr(CO)(2)(μ-SiHPh)(μ-GePh(2))(dppm)(2)] (9) and [RhIr(CO)(2)(μ-SiR(1)R(2))(μ-GeHPh)(dppm)(2)] (R(1) = Ph, R(2) = H (11); R(1) = R(2) = Ph (12); R(1) = Ph, R(2) = Me (13)), have also been synthesized by reaction of the silylene-bridged dihydride complex, [RhIr(H)(2)(CO)(2)(μ-SiHPh)(dppm)(2)] (1), with 1 equiv of diphenylgermane and by reaction of the germylene-bridged dihydride complex, [RhIr(H)(2)(CO)(2)(μ-GeHPh)(dppm)(2)] (3), with 1 equiv of the respective silanes. These complexes have been characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography.     

Formation of the unusual cluster Cu4(μ4-OH)(μ-(CF3)2pz)4(μ-OOCPh)2(μ-OH)2(OH2)(Et3NH)[O(CH2Ph)2]2 in the thermolysis of a copper μ-aqua complex with bridging pyrazolate and acetate ligands in dibenzyl ether in the presence of atmospheric oxygen

A room-temperature reaction of cupric acetate dihydrate with 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)pyrazole ((CF₃)₂pzH) in chloroform in the presence of triethylamine gave a complex of the formula [Cu₂(??-(CF₃)₂pz)₂(??-OH₂)(OC(Me)OHNEt₃)(OH₂)(HCCl₃)(OOCMe)(??-OOCMe)]₂ (2). Heating of this complex at 180°C in dibenzyl ether (DBE) in air yielded the tetranuclear pyrazolate-benzoate cluster Cu₄(??₄-OH)(??-(CF₃)₂pz)₄(??-OOCPh)₂(??-OH)₂(OH₂)(Et₃NH)[O(CH₂Ph)₂]₂. It was suggested that such complexes can be intermediates in the liquid-phase oxidation of DBE with atmospheric oxygen in the presence of copper complexes containing pyrazolate bridges.     

μ-Waves avoid large excesses of diisobutylaluminium-hydride (DIBAL-H) in the debenzylation of perbenzylated α-cyclodextrin

Regioselective double deprotection of cyclodextrins using diisobutylaluminium-hydride (DIBAL-H) has become an important tool in functional cyclodextrin synthesis. When conventionally heated a very large excess of reagent is necessary for the reaction to happen, when μ-waves irradiation is employed the quantity of DIBAL-H can be lowered down to 5 equiv. Reaction with a smaller quantity of DIBAL-H never achieved complete double debenzylation. These results also sustain the mechanistic hypothesis according to which a minimum of two aluminium atoms are necessary for each debenzylation to occur.     

Solid-state (55)Mn NMR spectroscopy of bis(μ-oxo)dimanganese(IV) [Mn(2)O(2)(salpn)(2)], a model for the oxygen evolving complex in photosystem II

We have examined the antiferromagneticly coupled bis(μ-oxo)dimanganese(IV) complex [Mn(2)O(2)(salpn)(2)] (1) with (55)Mn solid-state NMR at cryogenic temperatures and first-principle theory. The extracted values of the (55)Mn quadrupole coupling constant, C(Q), and its asymmetry parameter, η(Q), for 1 are 24.7 MHz and 0.43, respectively. Further, there was a large anisotropic contribution to the shielding of each Mn(4+), i.e. a Δσ of 3375 ppm. Utilizing broken symmetry density functional theory, the predicted values of the electric field gradient (EFG) or equivalently the C(Q) and η(Q) at ZORA, PBE QZ4P all electron level of theory are 23.4 MHz and 0.68, respectively, in good agreement with experimental observations.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(isoprene-b-butyl methacrylate) Block Copolymer in the Presence of Rare Earth Catalyst

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Conformational Heterogeneity of a Tripeptide in the Solid State and in Solution: Characterization of a γ-Turn Containing Incipient Hairpin in Solution

A terminally blocked tripeptide Boc--Ala-Aib--Ala-OMe 1 with noncoded amino acids forms a novel type of hairpin structure containing a -turn instead of a conventional -turn in the central loop region in solution. This new type structural motif was characterized by NMR and restraint molecular dynamics simulation study. In the solid state peptide 1 adopts an extended backbone conformation and self-assembles to form supramolecular -sheet.