Interaction of (+)-Strebloside and Its Derivatives with Na+/K+-ATPase and Other Targets

Docking profiles for (+)-strebloside, a cytotoxic cardiac glycoside identified from Streblus asper, and some of its derivatives and Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase have been investigated. In addition, binding between (+)-strebloside and its aglycone, strophanthidin, and several of their other molecular targets, including FIH-1, HDAC, KEAP1 and MDM2 (negative regulators of Nrf2 and p53, respectively), NF-κB, and PI3K and Akt1, have been inspected and compared with those for digoxin and its aglycone, digoxigenin. The results showed that (+)-strebloside, digoxin, and their aglycones bind to KEAP1 and MDM2, while (+)-strebloside, strophanthidin, and digoxigenin dock to the active pocket of PI3K, and (+)-strebloside and digoxin interact with FIH-1. Thus, these cardiac glycosides could directly target HIF-1, Nrf2, and p53 protein–protein interactions, Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase, and PI3K to mediate their antitumor activity. Overall, (+)-strebloside seems more promising than digoxin for the development of potential anticancer agents.     

Inhibition of Na+, K+-ATPase in the presence of crown ethers: modulation of ionic composition or pharmacological effects

It is believed that the biological effects of chelating agents such as crown ethers are largely related to their ability to form complexes with ions and/or to facilitate ion transport across membranes. Specific influences are rarely related. Here we present the evidence that even one of the simplest representatives of the crown ether super-family, 1,4,7,10,13,16-hexaoxacyclooctane (18-crown-6), is able to affect the activity of Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase directly. Using nonlinear regression fitting to kinetic data we have found that the crown ether diminishes the apparent Michaelis constant, K _m , and the maximal rate of ATP hydrolysis, V _m , acting as noncompetitive inhibitors. The apparent dissociation constants, K _i , for the crown interaction with the free ATPase and with the enzyme-substrate complex were established to be of 77 ± 3 mM and 21 ± 2 mM, respectively. So 18-crown-6 possesses weak but “direct” pharmacological activity on Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase hinders the formation of enzyme–substrate complex and detains the enzyme in this state.     

Membrane-bound Na+,K+-ATPase as the cardiac glycoside receptor

DSC studies are carried out to characterize Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase isolated from pig kidney in its natural membrane environment as well as in its purified state upon detergent treatment. The transition temperatures of the investigated thermal protein unfolding process, observed between 43 and 64.5° C, depend on the local membrane environment as well as onpH. In addition, the transition temperature is significantly increased upon binding of different cations and ligands which are known to interact with the enzyme. Evidence for a lipid phase transition around 23 °C in the original biological membrane is reported.The application of a calorimeter equipped with removable cells appears to be more suitable for the investigation of this type of membrane sample than an instrument with fixed capillary cells. Filling the sample capillary cell with an usual syringe, consisting of a long and thin needle, can influence the experimental results.Na⁺, K⁺ -ATPase acts as the receptor for cardiac glycoside binding. The thermodynamic parameters of this binding process are determined by titration calorimetry. The binding of ouabain, as a typical example, is unusually slow and is enthalpy driven. The enthalpy change upon binding enthalpy is –75 kJ mol^–1 at 25 °C. The surprisingly low stoichiometric coefficient, resulting from an evaluation based on a simple one step binding model, is interpreted in terms of a dimeric receptor unit.The authors are grateful to E. Lewitzki, H. Ruf, E. Schick and F. Thommen for stimulating discussions, to A. Schacht for skilfull enzyme preparations and to the German Research Foundation for financial support (SFB 169).     

Pharmacological Basis of Rumex hastatus D. Don in Gastrointestinal Diseases with Focusing Effects on H+/K+-ATPase,Calcium Channels Inhibition and PDE Mediated Signaling: Toxicological Evaluation on Vital Organs

This present study aimed to delineate Rumex hastatus D. Don crude extract (Rh.Cr), n-Hexane, ethyl acetate, aqueous fractions (Rh.n-Hex, Rh.ETAC, Rh.Aq) and rutin for antidiarrheal, antisecretory effects, anti-spasmodic, gastrointestinal transient time, anti H. pylori, antiulcer effects, and toxicology. The preliminary phytochemical analysis of Rumex hastatus showed different phytoconstituents and shows different peaks in GC-MC chromatogram. Rumex hastatus crude extract (Rh.Cr), fractions, and rutin attributed dose-dependent (50–300 mg/kg) protection (0–100%) against castor oil-induced diarrhea and dose-dependently inhibited intestinal fluid secretions in mice. They decreased the distance traversed by charcoal in the gastrointestinal transit model in rats. In rabbit jejunum preparations, Rh.Cr and Rh.ETAC caused a concentration-dependent relaxation of both spontaneous and K⁺ (80 mM)-induced contractions at a similar concentration range, whereas Rh.n-Hex, rutin, and verapamil were relatively potent against K⁺-induced contractions and shifted the Ca²⁺ concentration–response curves (CRCs) to the right, Rh.Cr (0.3–1 mg/mL) and Rh.ETAC (0.1–0.3 mg/mL) shifted the isoprenaline-induced inhibitory CRCs to the left. Rh.n-Hex, Rh.ETAC and rutin showed anti-H. pylori effect, also shows an inhibitory effect against H⁺/K⁺-ATPase. Rumex hastatus showed gastroprotective and antioxidant effects. Histopathological evaluation showed improvement in cellular architecture and a decrease in the expression of inflammatory markers such as, cyclooxygenase (COX-2), tumor necrosis factor (TN,F-α) and phosphorylated nuclear factor kappa B (p-NFƙB), validated through immunohistochemistry and ELISA techniques. In RT-PCR it decreases H⁺/K⁺-ATPase mRNA levels. Rumex hastatus was found to be safe to consume up to a dose of 2000 mg/kg in a comprehensive toxicity profile. Docking studies revealed that rutin against H⁺/K⁺-ATPase pump and voltage-gated L-type calcium channel showed E-values of −8.7 and −9.4 Kcal/mol, respectively. MD simulations Molecular Mechanics Poisson Boltzmann surface area and molecular mechanics Generalized Born surface area (MMPBSA/GBSA) findings are consistent with the in-vitro, in-vivo and docking results.     

Functionalized calix[4]arene as an ionophore: Synthesis,crystal structures and complexation study with Na and K ions

Calix[4]arenes with substituents at three of the four OH groups of the lower rim have been synthesized to investigate their properties as ionophores for Na⁺ and K⁺ metal ions. Crystal structures of these trisubstituted compounds revealed that the calixarene moiety has adopted a partial cone conformation, however the precise shape of the molecule, and intra- and intermolecular interactions, are significantly different due to variations of the substituents. Compound L² encapsulated an acetonitrile molecule in the cavity of the calix moiety, held by C–H?π interactions. In the case of L³, the 2-(2-chloroethoxy)-ethanol substituent is involved in strong intramolecular C–H?π interactions with the centroid of the phenyl rings of the calix, bringing the 2-(2-chloroethoxy)-ethanol moiety inward the calix cone, which prevented the entry of any solvent molecule into the cavity. The complexation properties of L²–L⁴ with Na⁺ and K⁺ ions have been investigated in chloroform–methanol mixture by ¹H NMR and an attempt has been made to isolate these complexes in the solid state. Complexation studies reveal that only L³ forms a complex selectively with K⁺, involving 2-(2-chloroethoxy)-ethanol as a coordinating moiety. The association constant (1.4 × 10⁵ M⁻¹) of the complex has also been determined.     

Rotational molecular motion and solvation of Na+ and Cs+ in water-dimethylacetamide. A nuclear magnetic relaxation study

Nuclear magnetic relaxation by intra- and intermolecular quadrupoleelectric field gradient interaction has been used for the study of the systems DMA-water-NaI and DMA-water-CsI at 25°C.¹⁴N relaxation of DMA and²H relaxation of D₂O measured over the complete mixture range reveal the behavior of the rotational molecular motion of the two solvent components. For both solvent components a marked maximum of the reorientational correlation time has been found, reflecting hydrophobic effects and strong DMA-water interaction. The quadrupolar relaxation rates of²³Na⁺ and¹³³Cs⁺ in pure DMA were evaluated giving an indication that the electric solvent dipoles in the solvation shell are not located on positions of cubic symmetry. A quantitative study of preferential solvation of the cations in the mixed solvent has been performed by using the H₂O-D₂O isotope effect on²³Na⁺ and¹³³Cs⁺ relaxation. For both cations an obviously typical change in the selectivity occurs. In the range l>x _{H2 O}>0.7 we find weak preferential hydration, but in the range 0.7>xH ₂ O>0 strong preferential solvation by DMA is reflected.     

Safranal Induces Vasorelaxation by Inhibiting Ca2+ Influx and Na+/Ca2+ Exchanger in Isolated Rat Aortic Rings

Introduction: Safranal, which endows saffron its unique aroma, causes vasodilatation and has a hypotensive effect in animal studies, but the mechanisms of these effects are unknown. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms of safranal vasodilation. Methods: Isolated rat endothelium-intact or -denuded aortic rings were precontracted with phenylephrine and then relaxed with safranal. To further assess the involvement of nitric oxide, prostaglandins, guanylate cyclase, and phospholipase A₂ in safranal-induced vasodilation, aortic rings were preincubated with L-NAME, indomethacin, methylene blue, or quinacrine, respectively, then precontracted with phenylephrine, and safranal concentration–response curves were established. To explore the effects of safranal on Ca²⁺ influx, phenylephrine and CaCl₂ concentration–response curves were established in the presence of safranal. Furthermore, the effect of safranal on aortic rings in the presence of ouabain, a Na⁺-K⁺ ATPase inhibitor, was studied to explore the contribution of Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchanger to this vasodilation. Results: Safranal caused vasodilation in endothelium-intact and endothelium-denuded aortic rings. The vasodilation was not eliminated by pretreatment with L-NAME, indomethacin, methylene blue, or quinacrine, indicating the lack of a role for NO/cGMP. Safranal significantly inhibited the maximum contractions induced by phenylephrine, or by CaCl₂ in Ca²⁺-free depolarizing buffer. Safranal also relaxed contractions induced by ouabain, but pretreatment with safranal totally abolished the development of ouabain contractions. Discussion/Conclusion: Inhibition of Na⁺-K⁺ ATPase by ouabain leads to the accumulation of Na⁺ intracellularly, forcing the Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchanger to work in reverse mode, thus causing a contraction. Inhibition of the development of this contraction by preincubation with safranal indicates that safranal inhibited the Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchanger. We conclude that safranal vasodilation is mediated by the inhibition of calcium influx from extracellular space through L-type Ca²⁺ channels and by the inhibition of the Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchanger.     

Towards Understanding the Involvement of H+-ATPase in Programmed Cell Death of Psammosilene tunicoides after Oxalic Acid Application

Psammosilene tunicoides is a unique perennial medicinal plant species native to the Southwestern regions of China. Its wild population is rare and endangered due to over-excessive collection and extended growth (4–5 years). This research shows that H⁺-ATPase activity was a key factor for oxalate-inducing programmed cell death (PCD) of P. tunicoides suspension cells. Oxalic acid (OA) is an effective abiotic elicitor that enhances a plant cell’s resistance to environmental stress. However, the role of OA in this process remains to be mechanistically unveiled. The present study evaluated the role of OA-induced cell death using an inverted fluorescence microscope after staining with Evans blue, FDA, PI, and Rd123. OA-stimulated changes in K⁺ and Ca²⁺ trans-membrane flows using a patch-clamp method, together with OA modulation of H⁺-ATPase activity, were further examined. OA treatment increased cell death rate in a dosage-and duration-dependent manner. OA significantly decreased the mitochondria activity and damaged its electron transport chain. The OA treatment also decreased intracellular pH, while the FC increased the pH value. Simultaneously, NH₄Cl caused intracellular acidification. The OA treatment independently resulted in 90% and the FC led to 25% cell death rates. Consistently, the combined treatments caused a 31% cell death rate. Furthermore, treatment with EGTA caused a similar change in intracellular pH value to the La³⁺ and OA application. Combined results suggest that OA-caused cell death could be attributed to intracellular acidification and the involvement of OA in the influx of extracellular Ca²⁺, thereby leading to membrane depolarization. Here we explore the resistance mechanism of P. tunicoides cells against various stresses endowed by OA treatment.     

Repurposing Cardiac Glycosides: Drugs for Heart Failure Surmounting Viruses

Drug repositioning is a successful approach in medicinal research. It significantly simplifies the long-term process of clinical drug evaluation, since the drug being tested has already been approved for another condition. One example of drug repositioning involves cardiac glycosides (CGs), which have, for a long time, been used in heart medicine. Moreover, it has been known for decades that CGs also have great potential in cancer treatment and, thus, many clinical trials now evaluate their anticancer potential. Interestingly, heart failure and cancer are not the only conditions for which CGs could be effectively used. In recent years, the antiviral potential of CGs has been extensively studied, and with the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, this interest in CGs has increased even more. Therefore, here, we present CGs as potent and promising antiviral compounds, which can interfere with almost any steps of the viral life cycle, except for the viral attachment to a host cell. In this review article, we summarize the reported data on this hot topic and discuss the mechanisms of antiviral action of CGs, with reference to the particular viral life cycle phase they interfere with.     

Solvation of Na+ in N,N-dimethylformamide + methanol solutions. A nuclear magnetic relaxation study using dynamic solvent isotope effects

Inter- and intramolecular nuclear magnetic quadrupole relaxation measurements have been used to study the system methanol (CH₃OH)+ N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF)+NaI at 25°C. The dynamic behavior of the solvent molecules was investigated, throughout the composition range of the binary mixtures, by means of ¹⁴ N relaxation of DMF and ² H of methanol-d ₁ (CH ₃ OD). The intermolecular relaxation of ²³ Na⁺ in pure DMF was used to obtain information about the symmetry of the solvent electric dipole arrangement in the solvation sphere of the ion. The investigation of preferential solvation around Na⁺ in the binary mixtures was carried out by means of ²³ Na⁺ relaxation measurements using, for the first time, both the CH ₃ OH/CD ₃ OD and the DMF/DMF-d ₇ dynamic isotope effect. The results show that, throughout the composition range, there is preferential solvation by DMF. Furthermore, the use of the isotope effects of both components allowed for the first time a basic check of the reliability of the method since we obtained two independent sets of data for the composition of the Na⁺ solvation shell in the mixtures. The consistency of the two separate data sets demonstrates that the application of the dynamic isotope effect represents a powerful tool in preferential solvation studies.     

An SCFab initio investigation of the “through-water” interaction of the phosphate anion with the Na+ cation

SCFab initio computations in the supermolecule approach were carried out for the study of the hydration scheme of the dihydrogen phosphate anion, of the sodium cation and for the investigation of the direct and the through-water interaction of these two charged species. It is found that the energy balances of the direct phosphate-Na⁺ binding, involving their prior dehydration, or their through-water binding, allowing them to conserve their hydration shells, are of the same order of magnitude, indicating the competitivity of the two processes. This situation results in the existence of multiple possibilities for phosphate-Na⁺-water association. Appreciable energies of interaction exist between the different subunits of such systems. The Na⁺ cation and to a somewhat lesser extent the phosphate anion have a polarizing effect upon the charge distribution in the system over relatively appreciable distances. On the contrary, the charge transfers between the different components of the system are interpretable essentially in terms of displacements between adjacent units only.     

Conductance Study of the Thermodynamics of Complexation of K+, Rb+, Cs+ and Tl+ Ions with Dibenzo-24-crown-8 in Binary Acetonitrile–Nitromethane Mixtures

The complexation reactions between dibenzo-24-crown-8 (DB24C8) and K⁺, Rb⁺, Cs⁺ and Tl⁺ ions were studied conductometrically in different acetonitrile–nitromethane mixtures at various temperatures. The formation constants of the resulting 1:1 complexes were calculated from the computer fitting of the molar conductance–mole ratio data at different temperatures. At 25 °C and in all solvent mixtures used, the stability of the resulting complexes varied in the order Tl⁺ > K⁺ > Rb⁺ > Cs⁺. The enthalpy and entropy changes of the complexation reactions were evaluated from the temperature dependence of formation constants. It was found that the stability of the resulting complexes increased with increasing nitromethane in the solvent mixture. The TΔS° vs. ΔH° plot of all thermodynamic data obtained shows a fairly good linear correlation indicating the existence of enthalpy–entropy compensation in the complexation reactions.     

Complex Formation of Crown Ethers with Cations in the Water–Organic Solvent Mixtures. Part VIII.1 Thermodynamic of Interactions of Na+ Ion with 15-Crown-5 and Benzo-15-Crown-5 Ethers in the Mixtures of Water with Hexamethylphosphortriamide at 298.15 K

The equilibrium constants of complex formation of 15-crown-5 and benzo-15-crown-5 ethers with the sodium cation have been determined by conductivity measurements. The enthalpic effect of complex formation has been measured by a calorimetric method at 298.15 K. The thermodynamic functions of complex formation of 15-crown-5 and benzo-15-crown-5 ethers with the sodium cation in the mixtures of water with hexamethylphosportriamide at 298.15 K have been calculated. The extent of complex formation in this mixed solvent depends on the enthalpic effect. In water–hexamethylp- hosportriamide mixtures with medium and low water content, the complex of crown ethers with the sodium cation is not formed because of the strong solvation of sodium cation and crown ethers molecules; this implies that the entropy of complex formation is more negative than the enthalpy of complex formation.     

钙钛矿结构荧光材料MZrO3:Eu3+,A (M=Ca2+, Ba2+; A=Li+, Na+, K+)的制备及其发光性质

Calcium and barium zirconate powders based upon CaZrO₃:Eu³⁺,A and BaZrO₃:Eu³⁺,A (A=Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺) were prepared by combustion synthesis method and heating to ~1000℃ to improve crystallinity.The structure and morphology of materials were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanningelectron microscopy (SEM). XRD results showed that CaZrO₃:Eu³⁺,A and BaZrO₃:Eu³⁺,A (A=Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺) perovskites possessed orthorhombic and cubic structures, respectively. The morphologies of all powderswere very similar consisting of small, coagulated, cubical particles with narrow size distributions andsmooth and regular surfaces. The characteristic luminescences of Eu³⁺ ions in CaZrO₃:Eu³⁺,A (A=Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺) lattices were present with strong emissions at 614 and 625 nm for ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ transitions with other weakeremissions observed at 575, 592, 655, and 701 nm corresponding to ⁵D₀→⁷F_n transitions (where n=0, 1, 3, 4 respectively). In BaZrO₃:Eu³⁺ both the ⁵D₀→⁷F₁ and ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ transitions at 595 and 613 nm were strong.Photoluminescence intensities of CaZrO₃:Eu³⁺ samples were higher than those of BaZrO₃:Eu³⁺ lattices. Thisremarkable increase of photoluminescence intensity (corresponding to ⁵D₀→⁷F_n transitions) was observedin CaZrO₃:Eu³⁺ and BaZrO₃:Eu³⁺ if co-doped with Li⁺ ions. An additional broad band composed of manypeaks between 440 to 575 nm was observed in BaZrO₃:Eu³⁺,,A samples. The intensity of this band wasgreatest in Li⁺ co-doped samples and lowest for K⁺ doped samples.     

Thermochemistry of interactions of Na+ with benzo-15-crown-5 ether in acetonitrile-water mixtures at 298.15 K

Enthalpies of dissolution of benzo-15-crown-5 ether (B15C5) in mixtures of acetonitrile with water and in solutions of NaI and NaBPh₄ (I=0.05 mol dm^–3) in these mixtures were measured at 298.15 K. From the obtained results and appropriate literature data, the thermodynamic functions of B15C5/Na⁺ complex formation in acetonitrile-water mixtures were determined. The enthalpies of transfer of the complex B15C5/Na⁺ from pure acetonitrile to the examined mixtures were calculated and are discussed.     

The Synthesis and the Cationic Fluorescence Role of Glycols with Aromatic End Groups, Part III

Some novel bis-(substituted-phenoxy) ended glycols were synthesised usinghydroxy aromatics of vanillin, o-vanillin, iso-vanillin and 4-hydroxy coumarin which reacted with bis-dihalides of polyglycols in the presence ofDMSO/alkali carbonate. The novel podands, Ar-(CH₂CH₂O)_m-Ar,(m = 1–4), were identified with IR, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR and mass spectrometry. The various (formyl-methoxy)phenyl and 4-oxycoumarin derivatives of glycols were studied to estimate the cation binding selectivity of SCN^- salts ofLi⁺, Na⁺, K⁺ and Zn²⁺ cations in acetonitrile using steady statefluorescence spectroscopy. The relevant structures of podands have shown goodselectivity depending on the cation and the glycollength, although the chromophoreend groups have no specific contribution on binding.     

Structural Insight into the Binding of Cyanovirin-N with the Spike Glycoprotein,Mpro and PLpro of SARS-CoV-2: Protein–Protein Interactions,Dynamics Simulations and Free Energy Calculations

The emergence of COVID-19 continues to pose severe threats to global public health. The pandemic has infected over 171 million people and claimed more than 3.5 million lives to date. We investigated the binding potential of antiviral cyanobacterial proteins including cyanovirin-N, scytovirin and phycocyanin with fundamental proteins involved in attachment and replication of SARS-CoV-2. Cyanovirin-N displayed the highest binding energy scores (−16.8 ± 0.02 kcal/mol, −12.3 ± 0.03 kcal/mol and −13.4 ± 0.02 kcal/mol, respectively) with the spike protein, the main protease (M^pro) and the papainlike protease (PL^pro) of SARS-CoV-2. Cyanovirin-N was observed to interact with the crucial residues involved in the attachment of the human ACE2 receptor. Analysis of the binding affinities calculated employing the molecular mechanics-Poisson–Boltzmann surface area (MM-PBSA) approach revealed that all forms of energy, except the polar solvation energy, favourably contributed to the interactions of cyanovirin-N with the viral proteins. With particular emphasis on cyanovirin-N, the current work presents evidence for the potential inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 by cyanobacterial proteins, and offers the opportunity for in vitro and in vivo experiments to deploy the cyanobacterial proteins as valuable therapeutics against COVID-19.     

Screening an In-House Isoquinoline Alkaloids Library for New Blockers of Voltage-Gated Na+ Channels Using Voltage Sensor Fluorescent Probes: Hits and Biases

Voltage-gated Na⁺ (Na_V) channels are significant therapeutic targets for the treatment of cardiac and neurological disorders, thus promoting the search for novel Na_V channel ligands. With the objective of discovering new blockers of Na_V channel ligands, we screened an In-House vegetal alkaloid library using fluorescence cell-based assays. We screened 62 isoquinoline alkaloids (IA) for their ability to decrease the FRET signal of voltage sensor probes (VSP), which were induced by the activation of Na_V channels with batrachotoxin (BTX) in GH3b6 cells. This led to the selection of five IA: liriodenine, oxostephanine, thalmiculine, protopine, and bebeerine, inhibiting the BTX-induced VSP signal with micromolar IC₅₀. These five alkaloids were then assayed using the Na⁺ fluorescent probe ANG-2 and the patch-clamp technique. Only oxostephanine and liriodenine were able to inhibit the BTX-induced ANG-2 signal in HEK293-hNa_V1.3 cells. Indeed, liriodenine and oxostephanine decreased the effects of BTX on Na⁺ currents elicited by the hNa_V1.3 channel, suggesting that conformation change induced by BTX binding could induce a bias in fluorescent assays. However, among the five IA selected in the VSP assay, only bebeerine exhibited strong inhibitory effects against Na⁺ currents elicited by the hNav1.2 and hNav1.6 channels, with IC₅₀ values below 10 µM. So far, bebeerine is the first BBIQ to have been reported to block Na_V channels, with promising therapeutical applications.     

Nuclear magnetic relaxation and ionic solvation of23Na+ and81Br− in aqueous mixtures of simple amides

Ion-solvent interactions of Na⁺ and Br^– in binary aqueous mixtures of formamide,N-methylformamide (NMF), andN,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) are studied by use of²³Na and⁸¹Br magnetic relaxation times, extrapolated to zero salt concentration. The relaxation times, which are controlled by quadrupolar interaction, have been measured over the complete mixture range and are compared with a simplified theoretical formula. It turned out that the²³Na⁺ relaxation in H₂O-formamide and H₂O-NMF mixtures is in excellent agreement with theoretical predictions, implying nonpreferential solvation of Na⁺ in these systems. Small deviations of experimental from theoretical results in H₂O+DMF possibly indicate weak selective hydration of the cation. In the case of the anionic nuclei⁸¹Br^–, deviations from the theoretical curve occur which are to be expected, especially for systems where hydrophobic effects play a role. On the other hand, it is demonstrated that these deviations can easily be explained within the electrostatic theory by differences in structural details of the anionic solvation sphere in the mixtures compared to the pure solvents.     

Basis-independent potential energy curves for the neutral diatomics of Li,Na and K evaluated by means of Hartree-Fock and different density functional potentials

Summary The solution of the Schrödinger equation for diatomic molecules when the finite element method is used gives the possibility to evaluate highly accurate basis-independent potential energy curves. In this work such types of numerically accurate potential energy curves on the HF level have been evaluated for Li₂, Na₂ and K₂ and could be used as benchmarks in the optimization of basis sets. A comparison between recent LCAO HF calculations in which extended basis sets are used and the accurate values determined in this work show that there is a difference in total energy of 4×10^–5 and 10^–3 a.u. for Li, Li₂, and Na, Na₂, respectively. Evaluated dissociation energies are, however, due to the cancellation of numerical errors in much better agreement. Further, it is found that different exchange correlation potentials for the heavier molecules such as those given by von Barth-Hedin and Vosko, Wilk and Nusair reproduce experimental properties such as dissociation energies, vibrational frequencies almost as well as those achieved with advanced CI methods. TheX potential gives accurate bond lengths for Na₂ and K₂, whereas the dissociation energies are too small.