The relationship between electron densities and the pKa values in a series of methylpyrazines

Based on the literature values, the pK₁ and pK₂ for pyrazine and its six methyl derivatives, the correlation with electron density on the nitrogen atoms N₁ and N₄ was found. The effect of methyl group was proved to be additive. The total electron density, π-electron density, and dipole moments for compounds under study were determined by the CNDO /2-MO method.     

Determination of thermodynamic pKa values of benzimidazole and benzimidazole derivatives by capillary electrophoresis

Thermodynamic pK_a values for benzimidazole and several substituted benzimidazoles were determined by CE. Electrophoretic mobilities of benzimidazoles were determined by CE at different pH levels and ionic strengths. The dependence of electrophoretic mobilities on pH was used to obtain pK_a values at different ionic strengths. Extrapolations to zero ionic strength were used to determine the thermodynamic pK_a values. Using this method the thermodynamic pK_a values of 15 benzimidazoles were determined and found to range from 4.48 to 7.38. Results from the CE measurements were compared with spectrophotometric measurements which were evaluated at wavelengths where the highest absorbance difference for varying pH was recorded. The two analytical techniques were in good agreement.     

A simple thermodynamic test to discriminate between two-state and downhill folding

The recent discovery of one-state folding, in which proteins unfold by progressive structural disorganizations (i.e., downhill folding), has emphasized the need for simple thermodynamic tests to discriminate between this behavior and classical two-state folding. On the basis of theoretical results from elementary statistical mechanical models, we propose such a test. The test involves monitoring the equilibrium unfolding transition induced by a combination of temperature and chemical denaturants with a probe that is sensitive to the average protein backbone conformation. The rationale is that the coupling between two different denaturation procedures can reveal subtle changes in protein conformational ensembles even when using bulk measurements. We demonstrate the applicability of the test by studying the unfolding process of the protein BBL, which has been previously characterized as a downhill folding protein. This test should be very useful for high-throughput design strategies and for the analysis of mutational effects in small proteins.     

Investigating the thermodynamic causes behind the anomalously large shifts in pKa values of benzoic acid-modified graphite and glassy carbon surfaces

The difference between the values of 4-carboxyphenyl groups, covalently attached to either graphite (BAcarbon) or glassy carbon (BA-GC) surfaces, and benzoic acid in solution is explored using potentiometric titration and cyclic voltammetry. In solution, benzoic acid has a pKa of 4.20 at 25 degrees C. However, the observed pKa value on the graphitic surfaces shows significant deviations, with BAcarbon exhibiting a large shift to higher pKa values (pKa = 6.45) in contrast to BA-GC, which is shifted to lower pKa values (pKa = 3.25). Potentiometric titrations at temperatures between 25 and 50 degrees C allowed us to determine the surface pKa of these materials at each temperature studied and hence to determine the enthalpy, entropy, and Gibbs' energy changes associated with the ionization of the carboxylic acid groups. It was found that the enthalpic contribution is negligible and that the changes in surface pKa values are entropically controlled. This suggests that solvent ordering/disordering around the interface strongly influences the observed pKa value, which then reflects the relative hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity of the different graphitic surfaces.     

Diazanaphthalenes: A 13C NMR investigation on the site of protonation and pKa values

The pH dependence of the ¹³C chemical shifts (δ) of the diazanaphthalenes has been recorded. From this dependence the pK_a values have been determined using the Henderson-Hasselbach equation. The change in ¹³C chemical shifts under the influence of nitrogen protonation (Δδ) has been predicted using the Δδ values of quinoline and isoquinoline. The correlation between observed and expected Δδ values of the symmetric diazanaphthalenes is very good. Assuming these changes in chemical shifts to be of general validity, the site of protonation in the asymmetric diazanaphthalenes has been determined by comparison of the expected Δδ values for α- and β-nitrogen protonation with the observed ones. The site of protonation for 1,6- and 1,7-naphthyridine is the β-nitrogen atom, whereas for cinnoline both monoprotonated species are present in a significant amount.     

非金属二元氢化物pka与量子化学参数的关系

在HF／3－21G水平下，对13种非金属二元氢化物分子（HF，HCl,HBr,HI,H2O,H2S,H2Se,H2Te,NH3,PH3,AsH3,CH4和SiH4)进行了几何构型全优化和电子结构计算，将获得的电子结构数据与这些分子的pka值相关联，进行逐步回归分析，结果显示，pka与非氢原子的键价，分子的最低空轨道能间存在显的二元线性相关性，相关系数R＝0．994。pka计算值与实验值符合得较好，表明非金属二元氢化物中非氢原子的键价，分子的最低空轨道能在决定其酸性上起重要作用。     

On the correlation between the bifurcation values of the electron localization function and the nuclear independent chemical shift in aromatic and heteroaromatic compounds

In this work, for a representative set of 24 aromatic molecules, that includes hydrocarbons, hetero and charged rings, we explore the correlations between two aromaticity indexes. One of these indexes is based on the bifurcation values of the σ and π electron localization function (ELF), while the other one is the nuclear independent chemical shift (NICS). We observe that the quality of the possible correlations between these two kinds of indexes strongly depends on the kind of rings and on the particular indexes that are considered.     

杂环芳胺的结构与致突性之间的定量关系研究

基于杂环芳胺在生物体内的代谢特征 ,对 19种杂环芳胺类致突变化合物进行了半经验分子轨道法理论计算 ,求得了该类化合物的结构与致突变活性相关关系 .结果表明 ,杂环上氨基经羟基化后形成亲电活性中心的难易程度以及活性中心的稳定性等因素决定其致突性 ,计算预测值与实验结果相吻合 ,19种杂环芳胺的致突性实验值与PM 3计算结果之间存在非常显著的相关性 ,其相关系数r =0 .919,F =19.0 >F 0 .0 1 .     

A rational approach to tuning the pKa values of rhodamines for living cell fluorescence imaging

A novel strategy to systematically tune the pK(a) values of rhodamines is described. This strategy was applied to rationally develop compound 1e with a pK(a) of 6.5, the highest among rhodamine amide derivatives, and it could be employed to detect acidic pH variations in living cells with a turn-on signal.     

Prediction of chromatographic retention,pKa values and optimization of the separation of polyphenolic acids in strawberries

Polyphenolic acids are a complex group of compounds that have attracted enormous attention in the last few years because of their biological properties. In this work, the proportion of organic modifier and the pH of acetonitrile-water mixtures used as mobile phases were optimized in order to separate a series of polyphenolic compounds. The linear solvation energy relationship formalism based on the single solvent polarity parameter, E(T)N was used to predict their chromatographic behavior as a function of the percentage of acetonitrile in the eluent. Moreover, the correlation established between retention and the pH of the aqueous-organic mobile phase was used to optimize the pH of the mobile phase. The optimized mobile phase is composed of acetonitrile and formic acid buffer adjusted to pH 4.25, with 12% (v/v) acetonitrile. Also, the pKa values of polyphenolic acids in acetonitrile-water mixtures were determined using chromatographic data, and in order to validate the optimized conditions, a series of polyphenolic compounds was studied in strawberries.     

Theoretical prediction of pKa values of seleninic, selenenic, sulfinic, and carboxylic acids by quantum-chemical methods

Aqueous acid dissociation constants of substituted areneseleninic, areneselenenic, arenesulfinic, and benzoic acids are calculated by ab initio (MP2) and DFT (B3LYP) methods in combination with bulk solvation models (IEFPCM, CRSrad) from appropriate thermodynamic cycles. Mean absolute deviations (MAD) between experimental and calculated pK(a) values are quite large for basis sets without diffuse functions; however, trends are reasonably well described. Best agreement with experiment as described by MAD as well as correlation coefficient and slope of the correlation equation pK(a) = a*ΔG(calc)/RT ln(10) + b is obtained with the CPCM solvation model using the defaults optimized within COSMO-RS (CRSrad; MAD = 1.54, R(2) = 0.94, a = 0.83). Sulfenic (selenenic) acid tautomers are significantly more stable than the corresponding sulfoxide (selenoxide) forms.     

Analysis of the relationship between the structure and aromatic properties of chemical compounds

This paper presents the results of research on the relationship between the structure and odour properties of a selection of chemical compounds. The research concerns five groups of esters, each with a different smell: almond, apricot, apple, pineapple and rose. The supposed relationship between the smell and certain selected attributes of each molecule was examined by various pattern recognition techniques using programs developed in the Department of Computer Chemistry at Rzeszów University of Technology.     

A nonlinear hammett relationship as evidence for a change-over in mechanism in the alkaline hydrolysis of methyl carbanilates

A nonlinear Hammett relationship could be used as evidence for a change-over in mechanism in the alkaline hydrolysis of methyl carbanilates. The electron-withdrawing substituted compounds hydrolyse via an A–E pathway (? 1.06) whereas the hydrolysis of the electron-donating substituted compounds involves an E-A scheme.     

The origin and development of the acidity function

The acidity function is a thermodynamic quantitative measure of acid strength for non-aqueous and concentrated aqueous Brønsted acids, with acid strength being defined as the extent to which the acid protonates a base of known basicity. The acidity function, which was developed, both theoretically and experimentally, by Louis P. Hammett of Columbia University during the 1930s, has proven useful in the area of physical organic chemistry where it has been used to correlate rates of acid-catalyzed reactions and to quantitate the acidity of superacids, acids with protonating abilities greater than pure sulfuric acid. All Brønsted acids can now be compared using a common measure. Karl Popper’s seminal idea of theory falsification does not apply here because of the many successful applications of the acidity function. Likewise, Thomas Kuhn’s idea of a paradigm shift does not apply here, even though the acidity function concept was revolutionary, because the acidity function is commensurate with classical concepts of acidity.     

Determination of the overlapping pKa values of resorcinol using UV-visible spectroscopy and DFT methods

In this paper we determine the overlapping pK(a) values of resorcinol in water, applying a UV-Vis spectroscopic method that uses absorbance diagrams. On the other hand, in order to explain the pK(a) values obtained, we also investigate the molecular conformations and solute-solvent interactions of the resorcinate anions, using ab initio and density functional theory methods. Several ionization reactions and equilibria in protic solvents, which possess a high hydrogen-bond-donor capability, are proposed. The mentioned reactions and equilibria constituted the indispensable theoretical basis to calculate the acidity constants of resorcinol. Basis sets at the HF/6-31 + G(d) and B3LYP/6-31 + G(d) levels of theory were used for calculations. Tomasi's method was used to analyze the formation of intermolecular hydrogen bonds between the resorcinate anions and water molecules. In this way, it was determined that in alkaline aqueous solutions the monoanion and dianion of resorcinol are solvated with two and four molecules of water, respectively. The agreement between the experimentally determined pK(a) values and those reported in the literature demonstrates the applicability and accurateness of the spectroscopic method here used. On the other hand, the agreement between the experimental and theoretically calculated pK(a) values provides solid support for the acid-base reactions proposed in this work.     

A relationship between the retention indices on nematic and isotropic phases and the shape of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Summary An equation has been derived allowing to predict retention index values on nematic phases from computable parameters and sizes of the molecules of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Another equation, which has also been derived, allows to determine the shape parameter of a molecule from chromatographic data.     

A simple relationship between the nuclear magnetic shielding tensor and the electronic g tensor

A simple, exact equation which expresses a fundamental relationship between the electronic g tensor and the nuclear magnetic shielding tensor is obtained for a one-electron system. This equation is used to predict new numerical values for the components of the g tensor for H₂⁺.