A SHORT-LIVED INTERMEDIATE IN THE PHOTO-ENZYMATIC REDUCTION OF PROTOCHLOROPHYLL(IDE) INTO CHLOROPHYLL(IDE) AT A PHYSIOLOGICAL TEMPERATURE

The reduction of protochlorophyll(ide) into chlorophyll(ide) has been studied by flash absorption spectroscopy at 21°C, with a time resolution of 0.5 µs. The absorption changes have been recorded in the range 670–720 nm after the first and subsequent flashes given to an extract of etiolated bean leaves. At 695 nm the flash-induced absorption increase has its maximum value immediately after the flash and then partly decays with a half-time of about 7–10 µs. A complementary behaviour is observed at 675 nm where the absorption change is very small at time zero and then increases to a stationary value with a half-time of about 6–9 µs. From measurements at several wavelengths it is concluded that a species with an absorption peak around 695 nm is formed immediately after the flash and is then transformed into a stable species with an absorption peak around 675 nm. Measurements at lower temperatures, down to—50°C, show that the transformation is much slowed down at decreased temperatures. The species absorbing at 695 nm (P₆₉₅) is attributed to an intermediate in the photoreduction of protochlorophyll(ide) P_639,650 into chlorophyll(ide) P₆₇₆. When the protochlorophyll(ide) is photoreduced before the flash illumination, the newly formed chlorophyll(ide) gets to a triplet state, which decays with a half-time of 15 µs at 21°C. This result shows that carotenoid molecules do not exert their protective role at this stage of chlorophyll (Chi) formation.     

ANALYSIS OF THE COMPLEX BAND SPECTRUM OF P700 BASED ON PHOTOSELECTION STUDIES WITH PHOTOSYSTEM I PARTICLES

Abstract— The linear dichroism of the flash induced absorption changes of immobilized photosystem I reaction center particles from spinach chloroplasts has been investigated by means of the photoselection technique. Under flash excitation of predominantly β-carotenes at 500 nm, the photoinduced linear dichroism of the absorption changes has been measured in the spectral region from 620–720 nm. The most prominent feature in the spectrum of the dichroic ratio is the symmetrical pole at 687 nm. In parallel to all photoselection experiments, we recorded the light induced absorption changes of P700 under saturating flash excitation. A Gaussian deconvolution of this well-known difference spectrum of P700 has been attempted taking the additional features of the linear dichroism spectrum into account. From 670-720 nm, the best fit for both spectra was obtained by the following components:

• (1) 

  a disappearing wide band at 695.5 nm (σ= 200.0 cm⁻¹) attributed to the reduced special pair of chlorophyll a (Ch1- a );
• (2) 

  an appearing narrower band at 690 nm (σ= 120.0 cm⁻¹) with half the oscillatory strength of the former tentatively attributed to the non-oxidized moiety in the special pair; and
• (3) 

  a bathochromic bandshift centered at 688.4 nm attributed to the local electrochromic response of certain antennae Ch1- a molecules close to the primary electron donor.

The linear dichroism gives no evidence for any substructure within the absorption band of the reduced special pair.     

Kinetics of the 1,5-dipolar cyclization of 2-Vinylpyridinium ylides to Indolizines. Determination of rate parameters by laser flash photolysis

Nanosecond laser flash photolysis (λ = 355 nm) of an aqueous solution of 3-chloro-3-p-chlorophenyldiazirine in isooctane produces a transient absorption at 310 nm due to the formation of the carbene. In the presence of 2-vinylpyridine, a second transient with a broad absorption band peaking at 520 nm grows in. This absorption is attributed to 2-vinylpyridinium ylide. The ylide decays with a lifetime equal to 33 µs at 25°C independent of the concentration of 2-vinylpyridine. As the ylide decays, there is a concomitant growth of an absorption at 330 nm, attributed to the formation of inodolizine. The activation parameters for the 1,5-dipolar cyclization of the ylide to indolizine were determined; E_a = 12.1 kcal mol^?1 and log A = 13.4. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

INDUCTION OF SEED GERMINATION IN Lactuca sativa L. BY NANOSECOND DYE LASER FLASHES*,†

Abstract— A 15 ns, tunable dye laser was used to induce germination of the photoblastic seeds of Lactuca sativa. One red laser flash in the range from 620 to 690 nm was sufficient to increase germination significantly above the dark level. Repeated flashes, however, were necessary to saturate the physiological response. The wavelength dependence for induction of germination differed for single and repetitive flashes. After saturating far-red irradiation, the effect of single-flash induction was a function primarily of the absorption spectrum of P_r. In addition, the establishment within the lifetime of a flash of a photochromic system between the red absorbing form of phytochrome (P_r) and the sum of photoreversible intermediate forms (ΣI₇₀₀) contributes to this wavelength dependence at high fluence rates. This photochromic system is assumed to be shifted significantly toward P_r by wavelengths 660 nm. Similarly, a strong double-flash effect, which is seen as an increase in effectiveness when a given total fluence is provided by two consecutive flashes rather than by one flash only, is restricted to those wavelengths that considerably shift the photochromic system P_r?ΣI₇₀₀ toward P_r. Finally, the saturation level produced by a series of laser flashes depends, additionally, on absorption by P_fr.     

CHLOROPHYLL ONE-ELECTRON PHOTOCHEMISTRY: FLASH PHOTOLYSIS STUDIES OF THE CHLOROPHYLL-QUINONE REACTION IN ALCOHOL SOLVENTS*

Abstract— Flash photolysis of chlorophyll a alone in CBE (cyclohexanol-t-butanol-ethanol) yields a difference spectrum similar to those obtained upon steady illumination of chlorophyll a-quinone mixtures in this solvent. Decay kinetics in CBE and dimethylsulfoxide are faster at the Soret band than at 460–580 nm and red band regions. This difference is not obtained in other solvents (CHCI₃, CCI₄, t-butanol, ethanol), implying that two or more species are obtained in CBE and DMSO. β-Carotene in CBE increases the rate of decay of the flash-induced chlorophyll transients at 430 and 660 nm but only decreases the magnitude of the signal at 470 nm. This implies that the 470 nm absorbance is due to a product formed from the triplet state. This effect is not observed in ethanol. Adding quinone to chlorophyll solutions results in slowly decaying species being generated by flash excitation in CBE. Three components can be distinguished: the first (t_1/2? 0.2 msec) corresponds to the triplet state; the second (t_1/2= 5–10 msec) is quinone concentration and species independent; the third (t_1/2= several seconds) is dependent upon quinone concentration and species (rate is faster for higher concentrations and lower potential quinones). The ESR signal decay rate is approximately equal to the third component flash decay rate when the chlorophyll and quinone concentrations are equal. With excess quinone, the flash decay rate becomes faster, and the ESR decay rate decreases slightly. These slowly-decaying species are not produced when quinone is added to chlorophyll a in ethanol or t-butanol, or to pheophytin in CBE. One observes merely a decrease in signal height with no accompanying increase in decay rate. Mechanisms to account for all of these phenomena are presented which involve an initial chlorophyll triplet-solvent reaction with the subsequent formation of several species of chloro-phyll-quinone radical complexes.     

LIGHT-INDUCED ABSORBANCE CHANGES IN CHLOROPLASTS AT -196°C*

Abstract— Absorbance changes induced by irradiating chloroplasts at — 196°C were measured in the region of 525–575 nm with a single-beam spectrophotometer. Irradiation at low temperature caused a bleaching at 556 nm due to oxidation of cytochrome b₅₅₉ but little or no change of cytochrome f. There occurred in addition a loss of absorbance at 547 nm and an increase at 543 nm. The bleaching at 547 nrn (and possibly the increase at 543 nm) could be induced chemically with dithionite or borohydride but not ascorbate. Subchloroplast particles with only Photosystem I activity showed no light-induced absorbance changes, while particles containing combined Photosystem I and Photosystem II activities showed the same changes as whole chloroplasts. Scenedesmus mutant No. 11 cells showed no absorbance changes while mutant No. 8 and wild-type cells showed the normal changes. It is concluded that the photooxidation of cytochrome b₅₅₉ and the photoreduction causing the bleaching at 547 nm are both mediated by Photosystem II.     

A STANDARD SYSTEM TO DETERMINE THE QUANTUM YIELD OF SINGLET OXYGEN FORMATION IN AQUEOUS SOLUTION

Abstract —The kinetic behavior of the ESR Signal II in spinach chloroplasts has been studied under steady-state illumination and under flash conditions. In controls Signal II exhibits biphasic decay following cessation of illumination—a moderately fast phase (t_1/2 10-60s) and a slow phase (t_1/2? 2–3 h). Addition of 3-(3, 4-dichlorophenyl)-1, 1-dimethylurea (DCMU), o-phenanthroline, NH₄Cl or gramicidin had no effect on the decay of Signal II; however, agents such as antimycin A, carbonyl cyanide-m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP), NH₂OH or tris washing greatly accelerated the decay of Signal II. Flash photolysis-electron spin resonance experiments on Jensen-Bassham type chloroplasts reveal the presence of a previously unnoticed decay component in the g ? 2 region. This species is formed in less than 1 ms and exhibits a decay half life of ?6-10s. The spectral profile corresponds to the steady-state Signal II spectrum. This new transient is formed in approximately equimolar amounts to Signal I. The results are discussed in terms of two prevalent hypotheses—one which would place the Signal II component on the reducing side of PSII and another which would place the Signal II component on the oxidizing side.     

Chlorophyll-Based Organic Heterojunction on Ti3C2Tx MXene Nanosheets for Efficient Hydrogen Production

The Z-scheme process is a photoinduced electron-transfer pathway in natural oxygenic photosynthesis involving electron transport from photosystem II (PSII) to photosystem I (PSI). Inspired by the interesting Z-scheme process, herein a photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) employing chlorophyll (Chl) derivatives, Chl-1 and Chl-2, on the surface of Ti₃C₂T_x MXene with two-dimensional accordion-like morphology, forming Chl-1@Chl-2@Ti₃C₂T_x composite, is demonstrated. Due to the frontier molecular orbital energy alignments of Chl-1 and Chl-2, sublayer Chl-1 is a simulation of PSI, whereas upper layer Chl-2 is equivalent to PSII, and the resultant electron transport can take place from Chl-2 to Chl-1. Under the illumination of visible light (>420 nm), the HER performance of Chl-1@Chl-2@Ti₃C₂T_x photocatalyst was found to be as high as 143 μmol h⁻¹ g_cat⁻¹, which was substantially higher than that of photocatalysts of either Chl-1@Ti₃C₂T_x (20 μmol h⁻¹ g⁻¹) or Chl-2@Ti₃C₂T_x (15 μmol h⁻¹ g⁻¹).     

Investigation of fulvic acid photochemistry in aqueous solutions by stationary and laser flash photolysis techniques

Photochemistry of fulvic acid (FA, Henan ChangSneng Corporation) in aqueous solutions was studied using stationary and nanosecond laser (355 nm) flash photolysis. UV-excitation leads to formation of FA triplet state which is characterized by wide unstructured absorption band with maximum at 620 nm. The yield of FA triplet state depends on pH: intermediate absorption signal is maximal at neutral pH (6–7) and decreases in basic and acidic media. Kinetics of triplet state decay does not depend on solution pH and exhibits multiexponential character with characteristic times t ₁ = 4.3 ± 2.2, t ₂ = 54 ± 28, t ₃ = 830 ± 240 μs.     

Absolute rate constants for the reactions between amino and alkyl radicals at 298 K

The absolute rate constants for the reactions of NH₂ radicals with ethyl, isopropyl, and t-butyl radicals have been measured at 298 K, using a flash photolysis–laser resonance absorption method. Radicals were generated by flashing ammonia in the presence of an olefin. A new measurement of the NH₂ extinction coefficient and oscillator strength at 597.73 nm was performed. The decay curves were simulated by adjusting the rate constants of both the reaction of NH₂ with the alkyl radical and the mutual interactions of alkyl radicals. The results are k(NH₂ + alkyl) = 2.5 (±0.5), 2.0 (±0.4), and 2.5 (±0.5) × 10¹⁰ M^?1·s^?1 for ethyl, isopropyl, and t-butyl radicals, respectively. The best simulations were obtained when taking k(alkyl + alkyl) = 1.2, 0.6, and 0.65 × 10¹⁰M^?1·s^?1 for ethyl, isopropyl, and t-butyl radicals, respectively, in good agreement with literature values.     

A PREVIOUSLY UNREPORTED INTENSE ABSORPTION BAND AND THE pK, OF PROTONATED TRIPLET METHYLENE BLUE

Abstract— Excitation by a Q-switched giant ruby laser (1.2 J output at 694 nm ?50 ns flash) of 2–10 µM solutions of methylene blue in water, 30% ethanol in water or 50 v/v% water-CH₃CN at pH values in the range 2.0–9.3 converted the dye essentially completely to its T₁ state. The absorption spectrum of T₁ dye was measured in different media at pH 2.0 and 8.2 by kinetic spectrophotometry. Previously reported T-T absorption in the violet in acidic and alkaline solutions and in the near infrared in alkaline solution was confirmed. Values found for these absorptions in the present work with 30% ethanol in water as solvent are λ_max - 370nm, ε_max, - 13,200 M^-1 cm^-1 at pH 2 and λ_max,?420nm, ε_max 9000 M^-1 cm^-1, λ_max, - 840 nm, ε_max - 20,000 m ^-1 cm^-1 at pH 8.2. Long-wavelength T-T absorption in acidic solution is reported here for the first time: λ_max, ? 680 nm, e_max? 19,000 M cm^-1 in 30% ethanol in water at pH 2. Observation of a pH-independent isobestic point ? 720 nm confirms that the long-wavelength absorptions are due to different protonated states of the same species, MB⁺(T₁) and MBH²⁺(T₁). The pK_a of MBH²⁺(T₁) in water was determined from the dependence on pH of absorption at 700 and 825 nm to be 7.1₄± 0.1 and from the kinetics of decay of triplet absorption to be 7.2. The specific rate of protonation of MB⁺(T₁) by H₂PO₄ in water at pH 4.4 was found to be 4.5 ± 0.4 times 10⁸M^-1s^-1.     

2-D metalloporphyrin coordination network of cobalt-meso-tetra(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin

A new metalloporphyrin coordination framework [Co(H₃TCPP)] (H₆TCPP = meso-tetra(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin) has been synthesized hydrothermally. Single-crystal X-ray analysis revealed it exhibits a 2-D layered coordination network structure. Hydrogen bonds are observed between carboxyl groups within the 2-D layer as well as from adjacent layers. The UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectrum indicates the presence of the expected B (410 nm) and Q (540 and 690 nm) absorption bands. The fluorescence spectrum shows four emission bands centered at 648 nm.     

Spinodal decomposition and phase separation kinetics in nanoclay–biopolymer solutions

Intensity of light, I(q,t), scattered from homogeneous aqueous solutions, of nanoclay (Laponite) and protein (gelatin‐A), was studied to monitor the temporal and spatial evolution of the solution into a phase‐separated nanoclay–protein‐rich dense phase, when the sample temperature was quenched below spinodal temperature, T_s (=311 ± 3 K). The zeta potential data revealed that the dense phase comprised charge‐neutralized intermolecular complexes of nanoclay and protein chains of low surface charge. The early stage, t < 500 s, of phase separation could be described adequately through Cahn‐Hilliard theory of spinodal decomposition where the intensity grows exponentially, I(q, t) = I₀ exp.(2R(q)t). The wave vector, q dependence of the growth parameter, R(q) exhibited a maxima independent of time. Corresponding correlation length, 1/q_c = ξ_c was found to be ≈75 ± 5 nm independent of quench depth. In the intermediate regime, anomalous growth described by I(q, t) ～ t^α with α = 0.1 ± 0.02 independent of q was observed. Rheological studies established that there was a propensity of network structures inside the dense phase. Isochronal temperature sweep studies of the dense phase determined the melting temperature, T_m = 312 ± 4 K, which was comparable with the spinodal temperature. The stress‐diffusion coupling prevailing in the dense phase when analyzed in the Doi‐Onuki model yielded a viscoelastic correlation length, ξ_v determined from low‐frequency storage modulus, G ′₀ ≈ k_B T/ξ, which was ξ_v ≈ 35 ± 3 nm indicating 2ξ_v ≈ ξ_c. It is concluded that the early stage of phase separation in this system was sufficiently described by linear Cahn‐Hilliard theory, but the same was not true in the intermediate stage. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 555–565, 2010     

Optimization and Validation of an LC Method for the Determination of Cefdinir in Dosage Form and Human Urine

A simple and reliable liquid chromatographic method has been developed and validated for the determination of cefdinir in human urine and capsule samples. A chromatographic separation was achieved on a C₁₈ column using a mobile phase consisting of potassium dihydrogen phosphate (10 mM, pH 4.5)–acetonitrile (90:10, v/v). Quantitation was achieved with UV detection at 285 nm, based on peak area with linear calibration curve at a concentration range of 0.7–39 µg mL⁻¹. This method was successfully applied for the establishment of an urinary excretion pattern after oral dose.

     

Transitory forms of carotenoids: triplet state and radical cation

Abstract— Reactions between toluidine blue (a thiazine dye) and carotenoids (β-carotene and zeaxanthine) were studied by flash photolysis, in ethanolic solutions. Two types of reactions were evidenced:

• 1 a triplet-triplet energy transfer from the triplet state of monoprotonated toluidine blue to the carotenoid whose triplet state decays rapidly (t_1/2= 5μsec).
• 2 an electron transfer from the carotenoid to the mono- and bi-protonated triplet states of toluidine blue. This produces a radical-cation of the carotenoid (Car⁺) which decays slowly (t_1/2? 200 μsec) and has a strong absorption band around 900 nm.

     

Synthesis,characterization and oxygen‐sensing properties of a novel luminescent Cu(I) complex

A novel luminescent copper(I) complex with formula [Cu(PPh₃)₂(PIP)]BF₄ (PPh₃ = triphenyl phosphine, PIP = 2‐phenyl‐1H‐imidazo[4,5‐f][1,10]phenanthroline) has been synthesized and characterized by ¹H NMR, IR, elemental analysis and X‐ray crystal structure analysis. In solid state, it displays broad band emission upon excitation at λ = 420 nm with the emission maximum locates at 551 nm. Its excited‐state lifetime is in the microsecond time scale (3.02 µs); as a result, its emission intensity is sensitive to oxygen concentration and shows oxygen‐sensing properties after being encapsulated into mesoporous silica MCM‐41. For the system with 60 mg/g loading level, a sensitivity (I₀/I) of 4.35, a fluorescence quenching time (t_Q) of 5 s and a recovery time (t_R) of 36 s were achieved. Even after aging for 5 months, the sensitivities of the three loading level systems can be retained, ignoring the measurement error, which indicates that they possess long‐term stability. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and Properties of a New Two—Photon—absorbed Material DMAEAS

IntroductionSubstitutedstilbeneshavesignificantpotentialapplica tionssuchasfluorescencemicroscopy ,two photonphotody namictherapy ,opticalpowerlimiting ,three dimensionalstorage,andthree dimensionalmicrofabrication .1 4 Thesedyeshavestrongtendencyofintra molecularchargetransferundertheexcitedstate.Asaresult,theyusuallyexhibitlargetwo photonabsorption (TPA) ,inthemeanwhileemitstrongup convertedfluorescence .Ontheotherhand ,theirsolutionsgenerallydisplaylineartransmissionof >90 %atwavelengthof…     

QUANTUM YIELD RATIO OF THE FORWARD and BACK LIGHT REACTIONS OF BACTERIORHODOPSIN T LOW TEMPERATURE and PHOTOSTEADY-STATE CONCENTRATION OF THE BATHOPRODUCT K*

The maximum photosteady state fraction of K, x_K^max, and the ratio of the quantum yields of the forward and back light reactions, trans-bacteriorhodopsin (bR) hArr; K, φ_bR/φ_K, were obtained by measuring the absorption changes produced by illumination of frozen water-glycerol (1:2) suspensions of light-adapted purple membrane at different wavelengths at -165°C. An independent method based on the second derivative of the absorption spectrum in the region of the β-bands was also used. It was found that The quantum yield ratio (0.66 ± 0.06) was found to be independent of excitation wavelength within experimental error in the range510–610 nm. The calculated absorption spectrum of K has its maximum at603–606 nm and an extinction 0.85 ± 0.03 that of bR. At shorter wavelengths there are P-bands at 410, 354 and 336 rim. Using the data of Hurley et al. (Nature 270,540–542, 1977) on relative rates of rhodopsin bleaching and K formation, the quantum yield of K formation was determined to be 0.66 ± 0.04 at low temperature. The quantum efficiency of the back reaction was estimated to be 0.93 ± 0.07. These values of quantum efficiencies of the forward and back light reactions of bR at - 165°C coincide with those recently obtained at room temperature. This indicates that the quantum efficiencies of both forward and back light reactions of bacteriorhodopsin are temperature independent down to -165°C.     

CNDO Calculation and Homo Repulsive Bond Order of Aromatics

The author et al. has recently developed a s-p separation model CNDO-MO method. Naphthalene, anthracene and their derivatives including CI and CH₃ substituted functional groups have been selected for the MO calculation. The computational results of both the ionization potentials and the dipole moments are compatible with current experimental values. We here introduce a concept of the HOMO repulsive bond order (P^p(HOMO)_µv). Then it is calculated in addition to repulsive bond order (P^p_µv) developed previously in this work. The result shows that both HOMO eigenvalues and the P^p(HOMO)_µv are the useful and powerful quantities for the predictions of reactivity and positional selectivity of the Diets Alder reaction.     

BASF 13.338 INDUCED CHANGES IN STRUCTURE and FUNCTION OF THE PHOTOSYNTHETIC APPARATUS OF WHEAT SEEDLINGS

Abstract— Growing wheat seedlings in the presence of BASF 13.338 [4-chloro-5-dimethylamino-2-phenyl-3(2H)pyridazinone], a PS II inhibitor of the pyridazinone group, brought about notable changes in the structure and functioning of photosynthetic apparatus. In BASF 13.338 treated plants, there was a decrease in the ratio of Chi a/Chl b, an increase in xanthophyll/carotene ratio and an increase in the content of Cyt b 559 (HP + LP). Chl/p700 ratio increased when measured with the isolated chloroplasts but not with the isolated PS I particles of the treated plants. The SDS-PAGE pattern of chloroplast preparations showed an increase in the CPII/CP I ratio. The F685/F740 ratio in the emission spectrum of chloroplasts at -196°C increased. The difference absorption spectrum of chloroplasts between the control and the treated plants showed a relative increase of a chlorophyll component with a peak absorption at 676 nm and a relative decrease of a chlorophyll component with a peak absorption at 692 nm for the treated plants. The excitation spectra of these chloroplast preparations were similar. Chloroplasts from the treated plants exhibited a greater degree of grana stacking as measured by the chlorophyll content in the 10 K pellet. The rate of electron transfer through photosystem II at saturating light intensity in chloroplast thylakoids isolated from the treated plants increased (by 50%) optimally at treatment of 125 μM BASF 13.338 as compared to the control. This increase was accompanied by an increase in (a) I₅₀ value of DCMU inhibition of photosystem II electron transfer; (b) the relative quantum yield of photosystem II electron transfer; (c) the magnitude of C550 absorbance change; and (d) the rate of carotenoid photobleaching. These observations were interpreted in terms of preferential synthesis of photosystem II in the treated plants. The rate of electron transfer through photosystems I and through the whole chain (H₂O → methyl viologen) also increased, due to an additional effect of BASF 13.338, namely, an increase in the rate of electron transfer through the rate limiting step (between plastoquinol and cytochrome f). This was linked to an enhanced level of functional cytochrome f. The increase in the overall rate of electron transfer occurred in spite of a decrease in the content of photosystem I relative to photosystem II. Treatment with higher concentrations (> 125 μM) of BASF 13.338 caused a further increase in the level of cytochrome f, but the rate of electron transfer was no greater than in the control. This was due to an inhibition of electron transfer at several sites in the chain.