Selective complexation of alkali metal ions and nanotubular cyclopeptides: a DFT study

A density functional theory based on interaction of alkali metal cations (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺ and Cs⁺) with cyclic peptides constructed from 3 or 4 alanine molecule (CyAla3 and CyAla4), has been investigated using mixed basis set (C, H, O, Li⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺ using 6-31+G(d), and the heavier cations: Rb⁺ and Cs⁺ using LANL2DZ). The minimum energy structures, binding energies, and various thermodynamic parameters of free ligands and their metal cations complexes have been determined with B3LYP and CAM-B3LYP functionals. The order of interaction energies were found to be Li⁺ > K⁺ > Na⁺ > Rb⁺ > Cs⁺ and Li⁺ > Na⁺ > K⁺ ? Rb⁺ > Cs⁺, calculated at CAM-B3LYP level for the M/CyAla3 and M/CyAla4 complexes, respectively. Their selectivity trend shows that the highest cation selectivity for Li⁺ over other alkali metal ions has been achieved on the basis of thermodynamic analysis. The main types of driving force host–guest interactions are investigated, the electron-donating O offers lone pair electrons to the contacting LP* of alkali metal cations.     

Novel Methods of Synthesis of Dibenzo[3n]crown-n and Their Cation Binding Studied by Fluorescence Spectroscopy. Part V

The dibenzo[3n]crown-n were synthesised starting from bis[2-(o-hydroxyphenoxy)ethyl]ether obtained from bis[2-(o-formylphenoxy)ethyl]ether via Baeyer-Villiger oxidation in H₂O₂/CH₃COOH in a good yield. The cyclic condensation ofbis[2-(o-hydroxyphenoxy)ethyl]etherwith tri- and tetraethylene glycol bisdichlorides andthe bisditosylate of pentaethylene glycol in DMF/Me₂CO₃ afforded the large cyclic ethers of dibenzo[21]crown-7, dibenzo[24]crown-8 and dibenzo[27]crown-9. The structures were analysed with IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and low-resolution mass spectroscopy methods. The Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺ and Cs⁺ cations' recognition of the molecules were conducted withsteady-state fluorescence spectroscopy. The 1:1 association constants, K_a, in acetonitrile were estimated. Dibenzo[21]crown-7 was the best both for K⁺ and Rb⁺ binding but showed too small an effect on Cs⁺. Dibenzo[24]crown-8 exhibited the binding power in the order of Rb⁺ > K⁺ > Na⁺ > Cs⁺. However, dibenzo[27]crown-9 displayed marked binding with only K⁺ but not with Rb⁺ or with Cs⁺ cations probably due to the heavy atom effect of fluorescence quenching.     

Reactivity of alkaline protease to keratin and collagen containing substances

The reactivity of partially purified alkaline protease fromBacillus subtilis, to keratin and collagen containing substances has been investigated. The experimentally obtained apparent values of the Michaelis-Menten constant (K_m), the maximum reaction rate (Kmax, and the energy of activation (Ea), lead to the conclusion that:

Stabilities in Water of Alkali Metal Ion Complexes with Dibenzo-24-crown-8 and Dibenzo-18-crown-6 and Their Transfer Activity Coefficients from Water to Nonaqueous Solvents

Stability constants K _ML for the 1:1 complexes of Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, and Cs⁺ with dibenzo-24-crown-8 (DB24C8) and dibenzo-18-crown-6 (DB18C6) in water have been determined by a capillary electrophoretic technique at 25°C. The K _ML sequence is Na⁺ < K⁺ < Rb⁺ < Cs⁺ for DB24C8 and Na⁺ < K⁺ > Rb⁺ > Cs⁺ for DB18C6. Compared with DB18C6, DB24C8 exhibits higher selectivity for K⁺ over Na⁺, but lower selectivity for K⁺, Rb⁺, and Cs⁺. To evaluate the solvation of the complexes in water, their transfer activity coefficients sH₂O between polar nonaqueous solvents and water have been calculated. The sH₂O values provide the following information: interactions with water of the metal ions and of the crown-ether oxygens are greatly reduced upon complexation and the complexes undergo hydrophobic hydration in water; the character of each alkali metal ion in solvation is more effectively masked by DB24C8 than by DB18C6, because of the larger and more flexible ring structure of DB24C8. Solvent effects on the complex stabilities are discussed on the basis of the sH₂O values.