ATP- and redox-induced conformational changes in the activator of the radical enzyme 2-hydroxyisocaproyl-CoA dehydratase

A [4Fe–4S]¹⁺ cluster-containing protein activates 2-hydroxyisocaproyl-CoA dehydratase by an ATP-driven electron transfer. The activator has been proposed to change its conformation by MgATP similarly to nitrogenase Fe-protein. Iron chelation by bathophenanthroline removed the reduced [4Fe–4S]¹⁺ cluster from the activator in an ATP-dependent manner (rate, v = 0.128 ± 0.004 min⁻¹; K_m = 21 ± 1 μM); with ADP no chelation was observed (v < 0.001 min⁻¹). Chelation of the oxidised [4Fe–4S]²⁺ cluster occurred faster with ADP (v = 0.34 ± 0.05 min⁻¹) than with ATP (v = 0.132 ± 0.005 min⁻¹). The data indicate that reduction of the activator and binding of ATP induce conformational changes necessary to transfer the electron to the dehydratase. Interaction of both proteins promotes ATP hydrolysis (K_m = 0.5 ± 0.1 μM).     

Copper removal from aqueous solution using biochar: Effect of chemical activation

The main aim of this study was to test the efficiency of biochar for Cu removal from synthetic and soil solutions, respectively.The biochar was produced from brewers draff via pyrolysis. Additionally, the prepared biochar was also activated using 2 M KOH to enhance its sorption efficiency to remove Cu from both solutions. Two different aqueous solutions were prepared for these experiments: (i) a synthetic using Cu-nitrate salt with 0.01 M NaNO₃ and (ii) soil solution obtained from a Cu-contaminated soil using 0.01 M CaCl₂ leaching procedure. Batch sorption and column experiments were used to evaluate the efficiency of both biochar (BC) and activated biochar (BC_act) to remove Cu from the solutions.Results showed that both biochar samples are pure amorphous carbon and the Cu sorption is thus mainly a result of physical sorption on the biochar surface. Next, chemical activation, using 2 M KOH, significantly increased the total volume of all pores in biochar (from 0.01 ± 0.002 to 8.74 ± 0.18 mL g⁻¹). On the other hand, the BET surface area was similar for both sorbents (BC = 9.80 ± 0.62 m² g⁻¹ and BC_act = 11.6 ± 0.4 m² g⁻¹). Results also demonstrate enhanced sorption efficiency of the BC_act (10.3 mg g⁻¹) in comparison with the BC (8.77 mg g⁻¹). Additionally, enhanced Cu removal during column retention test was observed for the BC_act in both synthetic and soil solutions, respectively.In summary, the results showed that biochar prepared from brewers draff was able to remove Cu from both aqueous solutions.     

Heat capacity and enthalpy of fusion of pyrimethanil laurate (C24H37N3O2)

Low-temperature heat capacities of pyrimethanil laurate (C₂₄H₃₇N₃O₂) were precisely measured with an automated adiabatic calorimeter over the temperature range between T = 78 K and T = 340 K. The sample was observed to melt at (321.52 ± 0.04) K. The molar enthalpy and entropy of fusion as well as the chemical purity of the compound were determined to be (67244 ± 11) J · mol⁻¹, (209.28 ± 0.02) J · mol⁻¹ · K⁻¹, (0.9943 ± 0.0004) mass fraction, respectively. The extrapolated melting temperature for the absolutely pure compound obtained from fractional melting experiments was (322.264 ± 0.006) K.     

Reversibility of platinum voltammograms in aqueous electrolytes,ionic product and dissociative adsorption of water

Well-known reversibility of platinum voltammograms in supporting aqueous electrolytes formally contradicts the equilibrium defined by the ionic product of water: K_w = [H⁺] · [OH⁻] ≅ 1 × 10¹⁴, since at any pH value, concentration of one of these ions should be too low (⩽10⁷ M) to ensure reversibility in the whole potential region at usual scan rates. This contradiction could be overcome by allowing dissociative water adsorption on platinum. All available relevant data obtained by in situ physical methods appear to provide indirect experimental evidences for this hypothesis.     

Selective and rapid detection of triacetone triperoxide by double-step chronoamperometry

A selective detector for the improvised explosive, triacetone triperoxide is proposed. This is based on the rapid redox reaction of peroxides (hexamethylene triperoxide diamine, benzoyl peroxide, t-butyl peroxide, triacetone triperoxide and H₂O₂) with bromide at 55 °C. Consumption of bromide is indicative of the reduction of the R–O–O–R moiety, the appearance of Br₂ was found for all except for triacetone triperoxide. The latter was found to breakdown to acetone which rapidly reacts with Br₂ producing bromoacetones. The lack of Br₂ production is unique to triacetone triperoxide. Double step chronoamperometry (E₁ = 700 mV, E₂ = 960 mV (vs. Ag/AgCl)) allows for the quantitation of bromine (Br₂ + 2e^? ? 2Br^?) and bromide (2Br^? ? Br₂ + 2e^?) respectively. The results yielded a detection limit of 8.5 µM for triacetone triperoxide with a sensitivity of 0.026 µA µM^? 1. The detection limits of 16.3 µM and 14.9 µM were found respectively for HMTD and H₂O₂ based on the appearance of Bromine. These results indicate a possibility to develop a handheld sensor for TATP dermination.     

EPR and optical absorption studies of Cu2+ doped bis (glycinato) Mg (II) monohydrate single crystals

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) study of Cu²⁺ doped bis (glycinato) Mg (II) monohydrate single crystals is carried out at room temperature. Copper enters the lattice substitutionally and is trapped at two magnetically inequivalent sites. The observed spectra are fitted to a spin-Hamiltonian of rhombic symmetry with the following values of the parameters: Cu²⁺ (I), g_x = 2.1577 ± 0.0002, g_y = 2.2018 ± 0.0002, g_z = 2.3259 ± 0.0002, A_x = (87 ± 2) × 10^?4 cm^?1, A_y = (107 ± 2) × 10^?4 cm^?1, A_z = (141 ± 2) × 10^?4 cm^?1; Cu ²⁺ (II), g_x = 2.1108 ± 0.0002, g_y = 2.1622 ± 0.0002, g_z = 2.2971 ± 0.0002, A_x = (69 ± 2) × 10^?4 cm^?1, A_y = (117 ± 2) × 10^?4 cm^?1and A_z = (134 ± 2) × 10^?4 cm^?1. The ground state wave function of the Cu²⁺ ion in this lattice is evaluated to be predominantly |x² ? y². The g-factor anisotropy is also calculated and compared with the experimental value. With the help of the optical absorption study, the nature of bonding in the complex is discussed.     

The molar enthalpies of solution and vapour pressures of saturated aqueous solutions of some cesium salts

Vapour pressures of water over saturated solutions of cesium chloride, cesium bromide, cesium nitrate, cesium sulfate, cesium formate, and cesium oxalate were determined as a function of temperature. These vapour pressures were used to evaluate the water activities, osmotic coefficients and molar enthalpies of vapourization. Molar enthalpies of solution of cesium chloride, Δ_solH_m(T = 295.73 K; m = 0.0622 mol · kg⁻¹) = (17.83 ± 0.50) kJ · mol⁻¹; cesium bromide, Δ_solH_m(T = 293.99 K; m = 0.0238 mol · kg⁻¹) = (26.91 ± 0.59) kJ · mol⁻¹; cesium nitrate, Δ_solH_m(T = 294.68 K; m = 0.0258 mol · kg⁻¹) = (37.1 ± 2.3) kJ · mol⁻¹; cesium sulfate, Δ_solH_m(T = 296.43 K; m = 0.0284 mol · kg⁻¹) = (16.94 ± 0.43) kJ · mol⁻¹; cesium formate, Δ_solH_m(T = 295.64 K; m = 0.0283 mol · kg⁻¹) = (11.10 ± 0.26) kJ · mol⁻¹ and Δ_solH_m(T = 292.64 K; m = 0.0577 mol · kg⁻¹) = (11.56 ± 0.56) kJ · mol⁻¹; and cesium oxalate, Δ_solH_m(T = 291.34 K; m = 0.0143 mol · kg⁻¹) = (22.07 ± 0.16) kJ · mol⁻¹ were determined calorimetrically. The purity of the chemicals was generally greater than 0.99 mass fraction, except for HCOOCs and (COOCs)₂ where purities were approximately 0.95 and 0.97 mass fraction, respectively. The uncertainties are one standard deviations.     

Crystal structures and magnetic properties of complexes of M(NO3)2; M = MnII,CoII, NiII,and CuII,with pyridine ligands carrying an aminoxyl radical

Four complexes of M(NO₃)₂(4NOPy-OMe)₂, (4NOPy-OMe = 4-(N-tert-butyloxylamino)-2-(methoxymethylenyl)pyridine, and M = Mn^II, 1; Co^II, 2; Ni^II, 3; Cu^II, 4), were prepared and fully characterized. X-ray single crystal analysis reveals that four complexes are isostructural. The molecular structures are distorted octahedral in which the methoxy oxygen atoms coordinate to the metal ion by trans-configuration while the pyridyl nitrogen atoms and the nitrate oxygen atoms coordinate by cis-configuration. The magnetic properties of all complexes were investigated by SQUID magneto/susceptometry. Temperature dependence of the molar magnetic susceptibilities in the temperature range of 2–300 K indicated that the magnetic coupling between aminoxyl radicals and metal ion was antiferromagnetic in the complex 1 and were ferromagnetic in the complexes 2–4. The quantitative analysis based on the spin Hamiltonian, H = −2J(S₁S_M + S_MS₂) yielded the best fit as J/k_B = −13.4 ± 0.1 K, g = 1.94 ± 0.002, and θ = −0.78 ± 0.02 K for the complex 1, J/k_B = 48.7 ± 2.1 K, g = 2.07 ± 0.02, and θ = −2.83 ± 0.41 K for the complex 3 (the data in the temperature range 300–50 K were used), and J/k_B = 57.0 ± 1.2 K, g = 2.002 ± 0.004, and θ = −9.8 ± 0.1 K for the complex 4.     

Low-temperature thermal properties of 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol and its deuterated analogues

Heat capacities of 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol(CH₃)₂C(CH₂OH)₂ were measured in the temperature range between T =  13 K and T =  350 K using an adiabatic calorimeter. The compound underwent a first-order phase transition at T =  (314.5  ±  0.1) K. The enthalpy and the entropy of transition were (12.52  ±  0.02)kJ · mol ^− 1and (39.81  ±  0.08)J · K ^− 1· mol ^− 1, respectively. Measurement of the fusion peak by d.s.c. showed that the purity of the sample was 0.9999 mass fraction and the entropy of fusion was 9.9 J · K ^− 1· mol ^− 1. Another first-order phase transition was observed at T =  (60.4  ±  0.1) K with the associated entropy change of (2.93  ±  0.05)J · K ^− 1· mol ^− 1. Heat capacities of two deuterated samples,(CH₃)₂C(CH₂OD)₂ and(CD₃)₂C(CD₂OD)₂ , were also measured and the results were compared with those on the natural compound. Possible mechanisms of the transition have been discussed from the isotope effects on the thermodynamic quantities associated with the transition. Standard thermodynamic functions of the compounds are tabulated.     

Micro-combustion calorimetry employing a Calvet heat flux calorimeter

Two micro-combustion bombs developed from a high pressure stainless steel vessel have been adapted to a Setaram C80 Calvet calorimeter. The constant of each micro-bomb was determined by combustions with benzoic acid NIST 39j, giving for the micro-combustion bomb in the measurement sensor k_m=(1.01112±0.00054) and for the micro-combustion bomb in the reference sensor k_r=(1.00646±0.00059) which means an uncertainty of less than 0.06 per cent for calibration. The experimental methodology to get results of combustion energy of organic compounds with a precision also better than 0.06 per cent is described by applying this micro-combustion device to the measurement of the enthalpy of combustion of the succinic acid, giving Δ_cH^∘_m(cr, T=298.15 K)=−(1492.89 ± 0.77) kJ · mol⁻¹.     

The standard molar enthalpy of sublimation ofη5-bis-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl iron measured with an electrically calibrated vacuum-drop sublimation microcalorimetric apparatus

A heat-flow Calvet microcalorimeter was adapted for the measurement of sublimation enthalpies by the vacuum-drop method, with samples of masses in the range 1 mg to 5 mg. The electrically calibrated apparatus was tested by determining the enthalpies of sublimation of benzoic acid and ferrocene, at T =  298.15 K. The obtained results, Δ_cr^gH_m^o(C₇H₆O₂)  =  (88.3  ±  0.5)kJ · mol ^− 1and Δ_cr^gH_m^o(C₁₀H₁₀Fe) =  (73.3  ±  0.1)kJ · mol ^− 1, are in excellent agreement with the corresponding values recommended in the literature. Subsequent application of the apparatus to the determination of the enthalpy of sublimation of η⁵-bis-pentamethylcyclopentadyenyl iron, at T =  298.15 K, led to Δ_cr^gH_m^o(C₂₀H₃₀Fe)  =  (96.8  ±  0.6)kJ · mol ^− 1.     

The heat capacities and thermodynamic properties of NiAl2O4 and CoAl2O4 measured by adiabatic calorimetry from T = (4 to 400) K

The low-temperature heat capacity of NiAl₂O₄ and CoAl₂O₄ was measured between T = (4 and 400) K and thermodynamic functions were derived from the results. The measured heat-capacity curves show sharp anomalies peaking at around T = 7.5 K for NiAl₂O₄ and at T = 9 K for CoAl₂O₄. The exact cause of these anomalies is unknown. From our results, we suggest a standard entropy for NiAl₂O₄ at T = 298.15 K of (97.1 ± 0.2) J · mol^?1 · K^?1 and for CoAl₂O₄ of (100.3 ± 0.2) J · mol^?1 · K^?1.     

Porous cuprous oxide microcubes for non-enzymatic amperometric hydrogen peroxide and glucose sensing

Using porous cuprous oxide (Cu₂O) microcubes, a simple non-enzymatic amperometric sensor for the detection of H₂O₂ and glucose has been fabricated. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) revealed that porous Cu₂O microcubes exhibited a direct electrocatalytic activity for the reduction of H₂O₂ in phosphate buffer solution and the oxidation of glucose in an alkaline medium. The non-enzymatic amperometric sensor used in the detection of H₂O₂ with detection limit of 1.5 × 10^?6 M over wide linear detection ranges up to 1.5 mM and with a high sensitivity of 50.6 μA/mM. This non-enzymatic voltammetric sensor was further utilized in detection of glucose with a detection limit of 8.0 × 10^?7 M, a linear detection range up to 500 μM and with a sensitivity of ?70.8 μA/mM.     

An oxazoline derivatized Pybox ligand for Eu(III) and Tb(III) sensitization

A new Tb(III) dimer with an oxazoline-derivatized pyridine ligand, dimethyl-2,2′-(pyridine-2,6-diyl)bis(4,5-dihydrooxazole-4-carboxylate), has been isolated. This complex is highly luminescent and crystallizes in the triclinic P-1 space group with parameters a = 9.6167(2) Å, b = 11.6786(2) Å, c = 12.7548(3) Å, α = 70.026(1)°, β = 83.219(1)°, γ = 81.973(1)° and V = 1329.31(51)ų. Solution speciation studies showed the formation of monomeric species with 1:1 and 2:1 ligand-to-metal ion stoichiometries with log β₁₁ = 3.66 ± 0.41 and log β₂₁ = 6.16 ± 0.37 for Eu(III) and log β₁₁ = 3.56 ± 0.41 and log β₂₁ = 6.21 ± 0.38 for Tb(III). The quantum yields of emission Φ and luminescence lifetimes τ of solutions with 2:1 stoichiometry were 26.4 ± 0.5% and 1.47 ± 0.06 ms for Eu(III) and 41.0 ± 1.3% and 1.87 ± 0.06 ms for Tb(III).     

On oxoacidic properties and solubilities of beryllium and magnesium oxides in molten (CsCs + KCl + NaCl) eutectic at T = 783 K

Reactions of Be²⁺ and Mg²⁺ with O^2– in molten eutectic mixture (CsCs + KCl + NaCl) (0.455:0.245:0.30) at T = 783 K were studied by a potentiometric method using Pt(O₂)|ZrO₂(Y₂O₃) indicator electrode. Addition of O^2– ions to the melt containing Mg²⁺ results in precipitation of MgO (pK_s,MgO = 11.89 ± 0.3, molality) whereas interaction of Be²⁺ with O^2– is accompanied with sequential formation of Be₂O²⁺ (pK = 15.68 ± 0.5, molality) and precipitation of BeO (pK_s,BeO = 9.62 ± 0.3, molality). On the basis of the obtained and known data pK_s,MgO–T⁻¹ dependence in molten (CsCs + KCl + NaCl) eutectic is constructed. The slope of the said dependence in T/K = (from 583 to 1073) range is in good agreement with the value predicted by the Shreder equation, that extends the range of use of the Shreder equation for predictions of metal oxide solubilities in molten halides.     

Standard Gibbs energy of formation of platinic acid H2Pt(OH) 6in the crystalline state

Heat capacity of platinic acid, hydrogen hexahydroxyplatinate(IV)H₂Pt(OH)₆ , was measured from T =  7 K toT =  310 K by means of adiabatic calorimetry. The standard entropy and the standard Gibbs energy of formation of platinic acid in the crystalline state were determined to be 176.5  ±  3.6 J · K ^− 1· mol ^− 1and  − 988.8  ±  3.8 kJ · mol ^− 1, respectively.     

Determination of Henry’s constant using a photoacoustic sensor

We present a simple method for measuring Henry’s constant k_Hof ethanol using photoacoustic spectroscopy. At T =  298.1 K the measured value fork_H is (0.877  ±  0.039)kPa · kg · mol ^− 1. Our data show that Henry’s law is valid at ethanol molalities between 0.1mol · kg ^− 1 and 1.4 mol · kg ^− 1. The temperature dependence of Henry’s constant was carefully examined by measuring the ethanol vapour pressure of six different aqueous solutions between T =  273.1 K and T =  298.1 K. By analysing the gas phase concentration and applying Henry’s law, an ethanol molality of 0.864 mol · kg ^− 1in the liquid phase can be measured with an error of  ± 0.038mol · kg ^− 1. The detection limit of the photoacoustic sensor is a gaseous ethanol pressure of 10 ^− 3kPa. Ethanol molality changes as low as 1.10 ^− 3mol · kg ^− 1can be measured.     

The vapour pressures of saturated aqueous solutions of magnesium,calcium, nickel and zinc acetates and molar enthalpies of solution of magnesium,calcium, zinc and lead acetates

Vapour pressures of water over saturated solutions of magnesium, calcium, nickel and zinc acetates were determined as a function of temperature. The vapour pressures served to evaluate the water activities, osmotic coefficients and molar enthalpies of vaporization. Molar enthalpies of solution of magnesium acetate tetrahydrate,Δ_solH_m (T =  294.71K ;m =  0.01 mol · kg ^− 1)  =  − (15.65  ±  0.97)kJ · mol ^− 1; calcium acetate,Δ_solH_m (T =  297.18K ;m =  0.01 mol · kg ^− 1)  =  − (28.15  ±  0.28)kJ · mol ^− 1; zinc acetate dihydrate,Δ_solH_m (T =  297.36K ;m =  0.01 mol · kg ^− 1)  =  − (22.49  ±  0.90)kJ · mol ^− 1and lead acetate trihydrate,Δ_solH_m (T =  297.36K ;m =  0.0086 mol · kg ^− 1)  =  (22.46  ±  0.94)kJ · mol ^− 1, were determined calorimetrically.     

Thermodynamic features associated with intercalation of some n-alkylmonoamines into barium phosphate

Elemental analysis for the synthesized crystalline lamellar compound conforms to the formula Ba(H₂PO₄)₂ and the X-ray diffraction patterns is in agreement with the lamellar structure for this compound. The precursor host was intercalated with a series of n-alkylmonoamines of the general formula H₃C(CH₂)_n-NH₂ (n = 1 to 4) in aqueous solution. The lamellar host was calorimetrically titrated with an aqueous amine solution at T = (298.15 ± 0.02) K and the enthalpy, Gibbs free energy and entropy were calculated. The enthalpic values increased, although not uniformly, with the number of carbon atoms is the amine chain, to give (−13.96 ± 0.12, −14.00 ± 0.48, −15.75 ± 0.23, −16.05 ± 0.11) kJ · mol⁻¹, from n = 1 to 4. The exothermic enthalpy, the negative Gibbs free energy and positive entropic values are in agreement with the favourable energetic process of intercalation for this system.     

Construction,calibration and testing of a micro-combustion calorimeter

An isoperibolic micro-combustion calorimeter was designed, built and set up in our laboratory, taking as base a 1107 Parr combustion bomb of 22 cm³ of volume. Taken into account the geometrical form of the bomb, it was designed and constructed a vessel and a submarine chamber in brass. All of the pieces of the calorimeter were chromium-plated to reduce heat loss by radiation. The calorimeter was calibrated by using pellets of standard benzoic acid (mass approximate of 40 mg) leading to the energy equivalent of ε(calor) = (1283.8 ± 0.6) J · K⁻¹. In order to test the calorimeter, combustion experiments of salicylic acid were performed leading to a value of combustion energy of Δ_cu^∘ = −(21,888.8 ± 10.9) J · g⁻¹, which agrees with the reported literature values. The combustion of piperonylic acid was carried out as a further test leading to a value of combustion energy of Δ_cu^∘ = −(20,215.9 ± 10.4) J · g⁻¹ in accordance with the reported literature value. The uncertainty of the calibration and the combustion of salicylic acid and piperonylic acid was 0.05%.