A thermodynamic analysis of the hydrogen ion titration of micelles

A thermodynamic analysis of hydrogen ion titration is presented for association colloids with particular emphasis on surfactant micelles. When a particular type of the micellar Gibbs-Duhem relation (MGD), alpha(M)dmu(I)+(1-alpha(M))dmu(N)=0 [alpha(M): the degree of ionization of micelles; mu(I),mu(N): chemical potentials of ionized and nonionized species], holds, the free energy change accompanying the ionization of the micelle G(ex) can be evaluated from the titration data in the same manner as for covalently bonded colloids such as linear polyions. In the case where the regular solution approximation is valid for mixed micelles, the titration curve should be a straight line with a slope yielding the interaction parameter, and G(ex) is given as a function of alpha(M)(2). For dodecyldimethylamine oxide micelles for which the MGD relation has been shown to hold, values of the calculated electrostatic free energy G(el) were close to but significantly greater than experimental G(ex) values when the former were calculated on the basis of the Poisson-Boltzmann equation for either a sphere or a plate with smeared charges in a salt solution of infinite volume. When the critical micelle concentration (cmc) data are combined with the hydrogen ion titration data, we obtain a criterion to judge whether the above MGD relation holds or not. When the MGD relation holds, the monomer concentration C(1) can be evaluated from the hydrogen ion titration. For most cases examined, the C(1)/C(1)(alpha(M)=0) from the titration agrees well with cmc/cmc(alpha(M)=0), suggesting cmc=C(1) above the cmc. For tetradecyldimethylamine oxide, the MGD relation does not hold in the range of low ionic strength and even at 0.1 M NaCl it has been found that C(1)/C(1)(alpha(M)=0)相似文献   

光散射法研究氧化胺胶束与聚苯乙烯磺酸钠的相互作用

采用光散射法研究了十二烷基二甲基氧化胺(DDAO)胶束与聚苯乙烯磺酸钠(NaPSS)的相互作用,浊度滴定和激光光散射结果表明,DDAO胶束与NaPSS的相互作用受介质离子强度影响,但与胶束浓度无关,浊度滴定曲线出现一个转折点(β_c),而平均流体力学半径R_h对胶束离解度β的关系曲线出现2个转折点,在第一个转折点(β₁)时,胶束与NaPSS开始缔合,在第二个转折点(β₂)时,胶束与NaPSS的缔合达到饱和,β₂相当于浊度滴定曲线的转折β_c,β₂,和β₁不随离子强度而变化,采用β₁和β_c分别计算胶束与NaPSS发生缔合时的临界表面电荷密度,两者差距约为15％,电泳光散射也证实了β₁的存在.     

Structural organization of cetyltrimethylammonium sulfate in aqueous solution: The effect of Na2SO4

We used dynamic light scattering (DLS), steady-state fluorescence, time resolved fluorescence quenching (TRFQ), tensiometry, conductimetry, and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) to investigate the self-assembly of the cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium sulfate (CTAS) in aqueous solution, which has SO(2-)4 as divalent counterion. We obtained the critical micelle concentration (cmc), aggregation number (N(agg)), area per monomer (a0), hydrodynamic radius (R(H)), and degree of counterion dissociation (alpha) of CTAS micelles in the absence and presence of up to 1 M Na2SO4 and at temperatures of 25 and 40 degrees C. Between 0.01 and 0.3 M salt the hydrodynamic radius of CTAS micelle R(H) approximately 16 A is roughly independent on Na2SO4 concentration; below and above this concentration range R(H) increases steeply with the salt concentration, indicating micelle structure transition, from spherical to rod-like structures. R(H) increases only slightly as temperature increases from 25 to 40 degrees C, and the cmc decreases initially very steeply with Na2SO4 concentration up to about 10 mM, and thereafter it is constant. The area per surfactant at the water/air interface, a0, initially increases steeply with Na2SO4 concentration, and then decreases above ca. 10 mM. Conductimetry gives alpha = 0.18 for the degree of counterion dissociation, and N(agg) obtained by fluorescence methods increases with surfactant concentration but it is roughly independent of up to 80 mM salt. The ITC data yield cmc of 0.22 mM in water, and the calculated enthalpy change of micelle formation, Delta H(mic) = 3.8 kJ mol(-1), Gibbs free energy of micellization of surfactant molecules, Delta G(mic) = -38.0 kJ mol(-1) and entropy TDelta S(mic) = 41.7 kJ mol(-1) indicate that the formation of CTAS micelles is entropy-driven.     

胶束溶液中某些氨基酸和二肽的解离常数

用ｐＨ电位法测定了在ＳＤＳ（十二烷基磺酸钠）胶束溶液中甘氨酰丙氨酸和六种氨基酸（甘氨酸、丙氨酸、缬氨酸、亮氨酸、异亮氨酸、苯丙氨酸）的两级酸解离常数ｐＫａ１和ｐＫａ２,发现与水溶液相比,ｐＫａ值均显著增加,即ＳＤＳ胶束形成强烈抑制质子解离,结合＾１ＨＮＭＲ测定结果,讨论了ｐＫａ１和ｐＫａ２随ＳＤＳ浓度的变化规律以及与各配体自身结构的关系。     

UV/vis, 1H, and 13C NMR spectroscopic studies to determine mangiferin pKa values

The acid constants of mangiferin (a natural xanthonoid) in aqueous solution were determined through an UV/vis spectroscopic study employing the SQUAD program as a computational tool. A NMR study complements the pK(a) values assignment and evidences a H-bridge presence on 1-C. The chemical model used was consistent with the experimental data obtained. The pK(a) values determined with this procedure were as follows: H(4)(MGF)=H(3)(MGF)(-)+H(+), pKa1 (6-H)=6.52+/-0.06; H(3)(MGF)(-)=H(2)(MGF)(2-)+H(+), pKa2 (3-H)=7.97+/-0.06; H(2)(MGF)(2-)=H(MGF)(3-)+H(+), pKa3 (7-H)=9.44+/-0.04; H(MGF)(3-)=(MGF)(4-)+H(+), pKa4 (1-H)=12.10+/-0.01; where it has been considered mangiferin C(19)H(18)O(11) as H(4)(MGF). Mangiferin UV/vis spectral behavior, stability study in aqueous solution as well as NMR spectroscopy studies: one-dimensional (1)H,(13)C, 2D correlated (1)H/(13)C performed by (g)-HSQC and (g)-HMBC methods; are also presented. pK(a) values determination of H(4)(MGF) in aqueous solution is a necessary contribution to subsequent pharmacokinetic study, and a step towards the understanding of its biological effects.     

Mechanisms of acid decomposition of dithiocarbamates. 5. Piperidyl dithiocarbamate and analogues

In this work, the acid cleavage at 25 degrees C in 20% v/v aqueous ethanol of a series of analogues of piperidine dithiocarbamate X(C2H4)2NCS2(-) (X = CH2, CHCH3, NH, NCH3, S, O) was studied. The pH-rate profiles were obtained in the range of H(o)-5 and pH 5. They all presented a dumbell shaped curve with a plateau from which the pH-independent first-order rate constant k(o) (or the specific acid catalysis k(H)) was calculated, in addition to the acid dissociation constant of the free (pKa) and conjugate acid (pK(+)) species of the DTC. LFERs of the kinetically determined pKa and pK(+) versus pKN (pKa of parent amine) were used to characterize the reactive species and the structure of the transition state of the rate-determining step. For X = CH2, CH3CH the values of k(H) agree with those of alkDTCs in the strong base region of the Br?nsted plot of log k(H) versus pKN where the transition state is close to a zwitterion formed by intramolecular water-catalyzed S-to-N proton transfer of the dithiocarbamic acid. However, when X = NH, CH 3N, O, S, the reactive species is the DTC anion, which is as reactive as an arylDTC, and similarly, the pK(+) values correspond to a parent amine that is about 3-4 pK units more basic. The solvent isotope effect indicated that the acid decomposition of these dithiocarbamate anions is specifically catalyzed by a Hydron anchimerically assisted by the heteroatom through a boat conformation.     

Complex formation in alkyldimethylamine oxide/sodium palmitate/water mixtures

The complex formation between nonionic alkyldimethylamine oxide (CnDMAO, n=14, 16, and 18) and sodium palmitate (NaPa) in the solid phase of CnDMAO/NaPa mixtures and the dependence of the interaction parameter beta of the regular solution theory (RST) on the mixed micelle composition of C16DMAO/NaPa mixtures were investigated. The dissolution temperature showed a maximum at a NaPa mole fraction X(Pa)(*) of 0.3-0.4 for C16DMAO/NaPa and 0.2 for C18DMAO/NaPa. The compositions of the complexes suggested by X(Pa)(*) are C16DMAO: NaPa=3:2 or 2:1 and C18DMAO:NaPa=4:1. The composition X(Pa)(*) depended on the chain length of the amine oxides. The maximum was not observed in the case of the C14DMAO/NaPa/water system. In the range 0.7< or =X(Pa)< or =1.0, dissolution temperature depression was observed with decreasing X(Pa). The dissolution temperature depression was analyzed by taking into account the nonideal behavior in the mixed micelles and the counterion binding on the mixed micelle surface. The negative beta values were obtained for all three mixed systems. It was shown that the counterion activity remained practically constant in the range of 0.7< or =X(Pa)< or =1.0. The cmc values of C16DMAO/NaPa mixtures were determined by pyrene fluorescence measurement. For C16DMAO/NaPa mixtures, the dependence of the RST interaction parameter beta on the mixed micelle composition X(Pa) was determined for a wide range (0.2< or =X(Pa) < or =0.9). In the range 0.2< or =X(Pa)< or =0.5, the beta values were obtained from an analysis of cmc based on the RST. In the range 0.7< or=X(Pa)< or=0.9, the beta values were obtained from an analysis of the dissolution temperature depression. From the analysis of the micelle composition dependence of the beta values, a short-range attractive interaction between the headgroup of C16DMAO and palmitate anion is suggested.     

Equilibrium and kinetic studies of the aquation of the dinuclear platinum complex [[trans-PtCl(NH3)2]2(mu-NH2(CH2)6NH2)]2+: pKa determinations of aqua ligands via [1H,15N] NMR spectroscopy

By the use of [1H,15N] heteronuclear single quantum coherence (HSQC) 2D NMR spectroscopy and electrochemical methods we have determined the hydrolysis profile of the bifunctional dinuclear platinum complex [[trans-PtCl(15NH3)2]2(mu-15NH2(CH2)(6)15NH2)]2+ (1,1/t,t (n = 6), 15N-1), the prototype of a novel class of potential antitumor complexes. Reported are estimates for the rate and equilibrium constants for the first and second aquation steps, together with the acid dissociation constant (pKa1 approximately pKa2 approximately pKa3). The equilibrium constants determined by NMR at 25 and 37 degrees C (I = 0.1 M) were similar, pK1 approximately pK2 = 3.9 +/- 0.2, and from a chloride release experiment at 37 degrees C the values were found to be pK1 = 4.11 +/- 0.05 and pK2 = 4.2 +/- 0.5. The forward and reverse rate constants for aquation determined from this chloride release experiment were k1 = (8.5 +/- 0.3) x 10(-5) s-1 and k-1 = 0.91 +/- 0.06 M-1 s-1, where the model assumed that all the liberated chloride came from 1. When the second aquation step was also taken into account, the rate constants were k1 = (7.9 +/- 0.2) x 10(-5) s-1, k-1 = 1.18 +/- 0.06 M-1 s-1, k2 = (10.6 +/- 3.0) x 10(-4) s-1, k-2 = 1.5 +/- 0.6 M-1 s-1. The rate constants compare favorably with other complexes with the [PtCl(am(m)ine)3]+ moiety and indicate that the equilibrium of all these species favors the chloro form. A pKa value of 5.62 was determined for the diaquated species [[trans-Pt(15NH3)2(H2O)]2(mu-15NH2(CH2)(6)15NH2)]4+ (3) using [1H,15N] HSQC NMR spectroscopy. The speciation profile of 1 and its hydrolysis products under physiological conditions is explored.     

Properties of Surface and Micelle in a pH‐Mediated Ternary Surfactant Mixture in Salt Solution

We have investigated the mixing behavoir of a pH‐mediated ternary surfactant mixture at constant ratio of dodecyldimethylamine oxide (DDAO) and Triton X‐100 (9:1). From the equilibrium surface tension measurements at different pHs, the critical micelle concentration (cmc) data were obtained as functions of the pH. Values of the cmc and composition of the micelles were predicted using the regular solution approximation. To some extent, the experimental cmc values agree with the predicted cmc. The average degree of ionization of dodecyldimethylamine oxide in the mixed surfactant systems was estimated using potentiometric titrations. The surface electric potential of the micelles (Ψ_o) was determined using two methods, one by hydrogen ion titration and the other by the dissociation constants of an acid‐base indicator. In a high degree of ionization of DDAO in the micelles phase (a_m), Ψ_o estimated from acid‐base indicator is much higher than that from hydrogen ion titration. In the protonated dodecyldimethylamine oxide/TX‐100 binary surfactant system, Ψ_o estimated from hydrogen ion titration was as high as 89 mV. The micellar aggregation numbers evaluated by the steady‐state fluorescence probe method increase with pH except at pH=5.03. At pH=5.03, the maximum micelle aggregation number was observed.     

Synthesis and self-assembly behavior of four-arm poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) star block copolymer in salt solutions

A well-defined block copolymer consisting of four-arm poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (four-arm PEO56-b-PDEAEMA74) was synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization. The pH-responsive self-assembly behavior was examined by potentiometric titration, surface tensiometry, laser light scattering, and transmission electron microscopy over the course of dissociation by the addition of a base or acid. The apparent hydrodynamic radius (Rh) of the micelle increased from 21 to 56 nm when the degree of protonation of the amine groups was increased from 0 to 0.5 in 0.01 M NaCl solution. In higher concentration NaCl solution, the micelle shrank due to the electrostatic charge screening of the protonated DEAEMA groups. At low pH, the micelles dissociated into unimers.     

Effects of micellar charge density on the coefficient of the Corrin-Harkins relation

Effects of the micelle composition (ionic species fraction alpha(M)) on the coefficient of the Corrin-Harkins relation (k(CH)) of ionic/nonionic mixed micelles were examined in the case of dodecyldimethylamine oxide. Long alkyl chain amine oxides exist either in the nonionic or the cationic (protonated form) species depending on the pH of solutions and hence the control of the micelle composition near the critical micelle concentration (cmc) is possible by adjusting the pH of the solutions. On the basis of the cmc data from the surface tension measurements and the hydrogen ion titration curves, we evaluated the k(CH) values as a function of the micelle composition alpha(M) for the first time. The obtained k(CH) values were compared with the degree of the counterion binding, theta, in the solutions without added salt. The k(CH) values increased with alpha(M), and were approximately identical with theta for alpha(M)>0.4. In the range alpha(M)<0.4, it is likely that theta is greater than k(CH). An empirical relation proposed by D. G. Hall et al. ("Mixed Surfactant Systems," Am. Chem. Soc., Washington, D.C. 1992) on the relation between theta and the micelle composition was also compared with these experimental results. Experimental values, k(CH) and theta, followed the empirical relation for alpha(M)>0.4; however, both k(CH) and theta increased steeply in the range alpha(M) 0.25-0.3.     

Helical hairpin structure of influenza hemagglutinin fusion peptide stabilized by charge-dipole interactions between the N-terminal amino group and the second helix

The fusion domain of the influenza coat protein hemagglutinin HA2, bound to dodecyl phosphocholine micelles, was recently shown to adopt a structure consisting of two antiparallel α-helices, packed in an exceptionally tight hairpin configuration. Four interhelical H(α) to C═O aliphatic H-bonds were identified as factors stabilizing this fold. Here, we report evidence for an additional stabilizing force: a strong charge-dipole interaction between the N-terminal Gly(1) amino group and the dipole moment of helix 2. pH titration of the amino-terminal (15)N resonance, using a methylene-TROSY-based 3D NMR experiment, and observation of Gly(1 13)C' show a strongly elevated pK = 8.8, considerably higher than expected for an N-terminal amino group in a lipophilic environment. Chemical shifts of three C-terminal carbonyl carbons of helix 2 titrate with the protonation state of Gly(1)-N, indicative of a close proximity between the N-terminal amino group and the axis of helix 2, providing an optimal charge-dipole stabilization of the antiparallel hairpin fold. pK values of the side-chain carboxylate groups of Glu(11) and Asp(19) are higher by about 1 and 0.5 unit, respectively, than commonly seen for solvent-exposed side chains in water-soluble proteins, indicative of dielectric constants of ε = ～30 (Glu(11)) and ～60 (Asp(19)), placing these groups in the headgroup region of the phospholipid micelle.     

Reversible micelle-vesicle conversion of oleyldimethylamine oxide by pH changes

A preliminary study on the reversible micelle-vesicle conversion of oleyldimethylamine oxide [Kawasaki, H. et al. J. Phys. Chem. B. 2002, 106, 1524 ] is extended in the present study. In the presence of 0.01 M NaCl at a surfactant concentration of 0.05 M, a micelle-to-vesicle conversion with increasing degree of ionization alpha takes place in the following sequence: growth of fibrous micelle (alpha < 0.2), a fused network (alpha approximately 0.3), fibrous micelles + (perforated) vesicles (alpha = 0.4), and vesicles + lamellae (alpha = 0.5). Viscoelasticity correspondingly varies from the Maxwell-type behavior of the entangled network of fibrous micelles to the gel-like behavior of vesicle suspensions, via a fluid solution-like behavior of the fused network. This phase sequence is in contrast with the case of no added salt where no branching of micelles is observed, and long micelles and bilayers (vesicles + lamellae) coexist at alpha = 0.5. In water, a state of the lowest viscoelasticity occurs around alpha = 0.2 for both surfactant concentrations 0.05 and 0.15 M. Synergism between protonated and nonprotonated amine oxide headgroups is observed despite low ionic strengths. From the time course of the reversible micelle-vesicle conversion, vesicles seem to be formed from threadlike micelles within 25 h according to the shear moduli, while a longer conversion time is suggested by a flow property (viscosity). Shear thickening behavior is observed at alpha = 0.2 and 0.4 in 0.01 M NaCl but not in water.     

First anionic micelle with unusually long lifetime: self-assembly of fluorocarbon-hydrocarbon hybrid surfactant

The exchange of a fluorocarbon-hydrocarbon hybrid surfactant between monomer and micelle states in deuterium oxide has been investigated through 19F NMR and 1H NMR experiments. The CF3 group in the surfactant gives two kinds of 19F NMR signals corresponding to the monomer and micelle states, indicating slow surfactant exchange on NMR time scale. The lifetime (taumic) of micelle, estimated by line shape analysis of the signals, is 2.0 ms at cmc, 102 to 103 times longer than that of general surfactant micelles. Pulsed-gradient spin-echo (PGSE) experiments show that the hybrid surfactant forms considerably small micelles with a hydrodynamic radius of 0.6 nm. In contrast, at a higher concentration where no slow surfactant exchange is observed, the micelle radius increases to 1.1 nm. The interdigitation between the surfactant molecules in the micelle will contribute to the unusually long lifetime, in other words, slow surfactant exchange on the NMR time scale.     

Ca2+- and ba2+-ligand coordinated unilamellar, multilamellar, and oligovesicular vesicles

Ca(2+)- and Ba(2+)-coordinated vesicle phases were prepared in mixed aqueous solutions of tetradecyldimethylamine oxide (C(14)DMAO) and calcium oleate (Ca(OA)(2)) or barium oleate (Ba(OA)(2)). At the right mixing ratios, metal-ligand coordination between Ca(OA)(2) or Ba(OA)(2) and C(14)DMAO results in the formation of molecular bilayers due to the reduction in area per head group. Ca(2+) and Ba(2+) tightly associate to the head groups of surfactants and in this system the bilayer membranes are not shielded by excess salts. The structures of the birefringent samples of the Ca(OA)(2)/C(14)DMAO/H(2)O and Ba(OA)(2)/C(14)DMAO/H(2)O systems were determined by freeze-fracture transmission electron microscopy (FF-TEM), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and rheological measurements to consist of unilamellar, multilamellar, and oligovesicular vesicles. The coordination between C(14)DMAO and Ba(OA)(2) or Ca(OA)(2) plays an important role in the formation of the vesicles, which was easily confirmed by studying the phase behavior of the KOA/C(14)DMAO/H(2)O system in which only the L(1) phase forms, due to the absence of coordination between KOA and C(14)DMAO. A mechanism is proposed that accounts for the formation of these new metal-ligand coordinated vesicles.     

Morphology of hybrid polystyrene-block-poly(ethylene oxide) micelles: analytical ultracentrifugation and SANS studies

Morphology and structure of aqueous block copolymer solutions based on polystyrene-block-poly(ethylene oxide) (PS-b-PEO) of two different compositions, a cationic surfactant, cetyl pyridinium chloride (CPC), and either platinic acid (H2PtCl6.6H2O) or Pt nanoparticles were studied using a combination of analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and small angle neutron scattering (SANS). These studies combining methods contributing supplemental and analogous structural information allowed us to comprehensively characterize the complex hybrid systems and to discover an isotope effect when H2O was replaced with D2O. In particular, TEM shows formation of both micelles and larger aggregates after incorporation of platinic acid, yet the amount of aggregates depends on the H2PtCl6.6H2O concentration. AUC reveals the presence of micelles and micellar clusters in the PS-b-PEO block copolymers solution and even larger (supermicellar) aggregates in hybrids (with CPC). Conversely, SANS applied to D2O solutions of the similar species indicates that micelles are spherical and no other micellar species are found in block copolymer solutions. To reconcile the SANS and AUC data, we carried out AUC examination of the corresponding D2O block copolymer solutions. These measurements demonstrate a pronounced isotope effect on micelle aggregation and micelle size, i.e., no micelle aggregation in D2O solutions, revealing good agreement of AUC and SANS data.     

Aggregation behavior of hexadecyltrimethylammonium surfactants with various counterions in aqueous solution

Both thermodynamic and microenvironmental properties of the micelles for a series of cationic surfactants hexadecyltrimethylammonium (C16TAX) with different counterions, F-, Cl-, Br-, NO3-, and (1/2)SO4(2-), have been studied. Critical micelle concentration (CMC), degree of micelle ionization (alpha), and enthalpy of micellization (DeltaH(mic)) have been obtained by conductivity measurements and isothermal titration microcalorimetry. Both the CMC and the alpha increase in the order SO4(2-) < NO3- < Br- < Cl- < F-, consistent with a decrease in binding of counterion, except for the divalent anion sulfate. DeltaH(mic) becomes less negative through the sequence NO3- < Br- < Cl- < F- < SO4(2-), and even becomes positive for the divalent sulfate. The special behavior of sulfate is associated with both its divalency and its degree of dehydration. Gibbs free energies of micellization (DeltaG(mic)) and entropies of micellization (DeltaS(mic)) have been calculated from the values of DeltaH(mic), CMC, and alpha and can be rationalized in terms of the Hofmeister series. The variations in DeltaH(mic) and DeltaS(mic) have been compared with those for the corresponding series of gemini surfactants. Electron spin resonance has been used to assess the micropolarity and the microviscosity of the micelles. The results show that the microenvironment of the spin probe in the C16TAX surfactant micelles depends strongly on the binding of the counterion.     

Thermodynamic, kinetic and pH studies on the reactions of NCS-, N3-, and CH3CO2- with Fusarium galactose oxidase

Thermodynamic and kinetic studies on the X- = NCS-, N3-, and CH3CO2- replacement of H2O/OH- at the CuII exogenous site of the tyrosyl-radical-containing enzyme galactose oxidase (GOaseox) from Fusarium (NRR 2903), have been studied by methods involving UV-vis spectrophotometry (25 degrees C), pH range 5.5-8.7, I = 0.100 M (NaCl). In the case of N3- and CH3CO2- previous X-ray structures have confirmed coordination at the exogenous H2O/OH- site. From the effect of pH on the UV-vis spectrum of GOaseox under buffer-free conditions, acid dissociation constants of 5.7 (pK1a; coordinated H2O) and 7.0 (pK2a; H+Tyr-495) have been determined. At pH 7.0 formation constants K(25 degrees C)/M-1 are NCS- (480), N3- (1.98 x 10(4)), and CH3CO2- (104), and from the variations in K with pH the same two pKa values are seen to apply. No pK1a is observed when X- is coordinated. From equilibration stopped-flow studies rate constants at pH 7.0 for the formation reaction kf(25 degrees C)/M-1 s-1 are NCS- (1.13 x 10(4)) and N3- (5.2 x 10(5)). Both K and kf decrease with increasing pH, consistent with the electrostatic effect of replacing H2O by OH-. In the case of the GOaseox Tyr495Phe variant pK1a is again 5.7, but no pK2a is observed, confirming the latter as acid dissociation of protonated Tyr-495. At pH 7.0, K for the reaction of four-coordinate GOaseox Tyr495Phe with NCS- (1.02 x 10(5) M-1) is more favorable than the value for GOaseox. Effects of H+Tyr-495 deprotonation on K are smaller than those for the H2O/OH- change. The pK1a for GOasesemi is very similar (5.6) to that for GOaseox (both at CuII), but pK2a is 8.0. At pH 7.0 values of K for GOasesemi are NCS- (270 M-1), N3- (4.9 x 10(3)), and CH3CO2- (107).     

Titration of hydrophobic polyelectrolytes using Monte Carlo simulations

The conformation and titration curves of weak (or annealed) hydrophobic polyelectrolytes have been examined using Monte Carlo simulations with screened Coulomb potentials in the grand canonical ensemble. The influence of the ionic concentration pH and presence of hydrophobic interactions has been systematically investigated. A large number of conformations such as extended, pearl-necklace, cigar-shape, and collapsed structures resulting from the subtle balance of short-range hydrophobic attractive interactions and long-range electrostatic repulsive interactions between the monomers have been observed. Titration curves were calculated by adjusting the pH-pK(0) values (pK(0) represents the intrinsic dissociation constant of an isolated monomer) and then calculating the ionization degree alpha of the polyelectrolyte. Important transitions related to cascades of conformational changes were observed in the titration curves, mainly at low ionic concentration and with the presence of strong hydrophobic interactions. We demonstrated that the presence of hydrophobic interactions plays an important role in the acid-base properties of a polyelectrolyte in promoting the formation of compact conformations and hence decreasing the polyelectrolyte degree of ionization for a given pH-pK(0) value.