Complexation Equilibria and Determination of Stability Constants of Binary and Ternary Nickel(II) Complexes with Amino Acids (Glycine, α-Alanine, β-Alanine and Proline) and Dipicolinic Acid as Ligands

In this paper we report the formation of binary and ternary nickel(II) complexes involving dipicolinic acid (H₂Dipic) as the primary ligand and some selected amino acids {glycine (HGly), ?-alanine (H?-Ala), ??-alanine (H??-Ala) and proline (HPro)} as secondary ligands. These complexes were studied at 25?°C by means of electromotive force measurements, emf(H), using 1.0?mol?dm^?3 NaCl as the ionic medium. The experimental data were analyzed by means of the computational least-squares program LETAGROP, taking into account hydrolysis of the nickel(II) cation and the acid/base reactions of the ligands whose equilibrium constants were kept fixed during the analysis. In the study of the binary nickel(II)?Camino acids systems the species [NiL]⁺, NiL₂ and [NiL₃]^? were observed, and in the case of the ternary nickel(II)?Cdipicolinic acid?Camino acids systems the complexes Ni(Dipic)HL, [Ni(Dipic)L] ^? and [Ni(Dipic)L(OH)]^2? were observed. The respective stability constants were determined, and the species distribution diagrams, as a function of pH, are briefly discussed.     

Apparent Molar Volumes and Viscosities of Dl-α-Alanine in Water-Ethanol Mixtures

Abstract

In this work we present a systematic study of the apparent molar volumes and the viscosities of DL-α-alanine in aqueous ethanol solutions at 25,00°C. The molar fractions of ethanol for the solvent mixtures were selected taking into account that thermodynamic properties such as partial molar volumes and heat capacities of these mixtures show a transition concentration around X _et = 0,1 at which its behavior suffers a deep change. Besides, this ethanol concentration is near to that required to produce 50% of protein denaturation.

The results were used to evaluate the limiting partial molar volume V0 of the solute the volume changes associated with its transfer from water to aqueous ethanol solutions and the viscosity B coefficients of DL-α-alanine. The values obtained for the transference molar volumes and the viscosity B coefficients of alanine in the aqueous mixtures show a minimum at X _et = 0,1000. The results are discussed in terms of changes in the solvent structure (Ref. [1])     

Death,taxes, and the genetic code?

The genetic code is an enduring feature of biology: only rare circumstances result in changes to translation of the code, at least in nature. Researchers are devising methods to engineer ribosome-synthesized polypeptides containing novel and potentially useful amino acids.     

Science and Arts,Philosophy and Science: Why after All? Why Not?

This perspective summarizes some interdisciplinary aspects of science and the relation to philosophy, also including the basic motivations and aims as they might be discussed with young scientists starting their careers and presented also in the form of a commencement speech. The contents of this speech were repeatedly discussed also with Jack Dunitz, who showed great interest in it, given his broad interests. The speech also referred to an earlier commencement speech by Jack Dunitz in 1989. In the introduction of our essay, we mention the early common history of science and humanities under the name of philosophy. This early history can be traced back to ancient Greek philosophy and the ‘academy’ of Platon in Athens with a history of more than 1000 years until closure in 529 AD, in modern times revived as the National Greek Academy in Athens in the 19th and 20th centuries. Other ‘academies’ in Europe started in the 17th century and had publications under various names involving ‘philosophy’ with a focus on what we call science (natural science) today. After about 1800 there was increasing fragmentation of the various fields of knowledge and philosophy was considered to be part of the modern ‘humanities’ quite separate from science, and the natural sciences were fragmented into physics, chemistry, biology etc., and even finer subdivisions. The essay also describes an effort at ETH Zurich, reintegrating the various subfields of science and also stressing an education of scientists and engineers in the humanities. The essay concludes with a discussion of several global risks for mankind and a scientific imperative to maintain life on Earth. The common aspects and the foundations of all sciences as fields of knowledge aiming for an understanding of the world around us and of human beings as part of it are discussed from various perspectives.     

Incorporation of β-Alanine in Cu(II) ATCUN Peptide Complexes Increases ROS Levels,DNA Cleavage and Antiproliferative Activity**

Redox-active Cu(II) complexes are able to form reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the presence of oxygen and reducing agents. Recently, Faller et al. reported that ROS generation by Cu(II) ATCUN complexes is not as high as assumed for decades. High complex stability results in silencing of the Cu(II)/Cu(I) redox cycle and therefore leads to low ROS generation. In this work, we demonstrate that an exchange of the α-amino acid Gly with the β-amino acid β-Ala at position 2 (Gly2→β-Ala2) of the ATCUN motif reinstates ROS production (^•OH and H₂O₂). Potentiometry, cyclic voltammetry, EPR spectroscopy and DFT simulations were utilized to explain the increased ROS generation of these β-Ala2-containing ATCUN complexes. We also observed enhanced oxidative cleavage activity towards plasmid DNA for β-Ala2 compared to the Gly2 complexes. Modifications with positively charged Lys residues increased the DNA affinity through electrostatic interactions as determined by UV/VIS, fluorescence, and CD spectroscopy, and consequently led to a further increase in nuclease activity. A similar trend was observed regarding the cytotoxic activity of the complexes against several human cancer cell lines where β-Ala2 peptide complexes had lower IC₅₀ values compared to Gly2. The higher cytotoxicity could be attributed to an increased cellular uptake as determined by ICP-MS measurements.     

Distance-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry: What,Why, and How?

Distance-of-flight mass spectrometry (DOFMS) separates ions of different mass-to-charge (m/z) by the distance they travel in a given time after acceleration. Like time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS), separation and mass assignment are based on ion velocity. However, DOFMS is not a variant of TOFMS; different methods of ion focusing and detection are used. In DOFMS, ions are driven orthogonally, at the detection time, onto an array of detectors parallel to the flight path. Through the independent detection of each m/z, DOFMS can provide both wider dynamic range and increased throughput for m/z of interest compared with conventional TOFMS. The iso-mass focusing and detection of ions is achieved by constant-momentum acceleration (CMA) and a linear-field ion mirror. Improved energy focus (including turn-around) is achieved in DOFMS, but the initial spatial dispersion of ions remains unchanged upon detection. Therefore, the point-source nature of surface ionization techniques could put them at an advantage for DOFMS. To date, three types of position-sensitive detectors have been used for DOFMS: a microchannel plate with a phosphorescent screen, a focal plane camera, and an IonCCD array; advances in detector technology will likely improve DOFMS figures-of-merit. In addition, the combination of CMA with TOF detection has provided improved resolution and duty factor over a narrow m/z range (compared with conventional, single-pass TOFMS). The unique characteristics of DOFMS can enable the intact collection of large biomolecules, clusters, and organisms. DOFMS might also play a key role in achieving the long-sought goal of simultaneous MS/MS.

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Graphical Abstract ?

     

Densities, Specific Heat Capacities, Apparent and Partial Molar Volumes and Heat Capacities of Glycine in?Aqueous Solutions of Formamide, Acetamide, and?N,N-Dimethylacetamide at T=298.15?K and?Ambient Pressure

Apparent molar volumes (V _2,φ ) and heat capacities (C _p2,φ ) of glycine in known concentrations (1.0, 2.0, 4.0, 6.0, and 8.0 mol⋅kg⁻¹) of aqueous formamide (FM), acetamide (AM), and N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMA) solutions at T=298.15 K have been calculated from relative density and specific heat capacity measurements. These measurements were completed using a vibrating-tube flow densimeter and a Picker flow microcalorimeter, respectively. The concentration dependences of the apparent molar data have been used to calculate standard partial molar properties. The latter values have been combined with previously published standard partial molar volumes and heat capacities for glycine in water to calculate volumes and heat capacities associated with the transfer of glycine from water to the investigated aqueous amide solutions, D[`(V)]<sub>2,tr</sub><sup>o</sup>\Delta\overline{V}_{\mathrm{2,tr}}^{\mathrm{o}} and D[`(C)]_p2,tr^o\Delta\overline{C}_{p\mathrm{2,tr}}^{\mathrm{o}} respectively. Calculated values for D[`(V)]<sub>2,tr</sub><sup>o</sup>\Delta\overline{V}_{\mathrm{2,tr}}^{\mathrm{o}} and D[`(C)]_p2,tr^o\Delta\overline{C}_{p\mathrm{2,tr}}^{\mathrm{o}} are positive for all investigated concentrations of aqueous FM and AM solutions. However, values for D[`(C)]_p2,tr^o\Delta\overline{C}_{p\mathrm{2,tr}}^{\mathrm{o}} associated with aqueous DMA solutions are found to be negative. The reported transfer properties increase with increasing co-solute (amide) concentration. This observation is discussed in terms of solute + co-solute interactions. The transfer properties have also been used to estimate interaction coefficients.     

Improved Synthesis and Resolution of α-N-Benzoyl-β(3-Qumolyl)-DL-α-Alanine Methyl Ester

The title compound has been synthesized and resolved previously by T. M. Kubiak. In our searching of new potent agonists of LH-RH(luteinizing hormone releasing hormone), α-N-t-butyloxycarbonyl-β-3-quinolyl)-D-α-alanine and its L-isomer were synthesized. The unprotected.optically active amino acids were obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis of the title compounds, followed by hydrolysis in 6 mol/L hydrochloric acid. The title compound was synthesized initially with 3-quinolinecar-     

Fulvenes, fulvalenes, and azulene: are they aromatic chameleons?

On the basis of the theory of Baird on reversal of Hückel's rule for aromaticity and antiaromaticity of annulenes when going from the electronic ground state (S0) to the lowest pipi* triplet state (T1) (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1972, 94, 4941), we argue that fulvenes, fulvalenes, and azulene are "aromatic chameleons". The dipole moments of fulvenes in T1 should be of comparable magnitude to those of S0, but due to the reversal of Hückel's aromaticity rule in T1, their dipole should be in the opposite direction. Thereby, they are capable of adopting some aromaticity in both the T1 and S0 states as they adapt their dipolar resonance structures. The same applies to fulvalenes and azulene in their lowest quintet states (Q1) when compared to S0. Our hypothesis on chameleon behavior is supported by quantum chemical OLYP, CASSCF, and CASPT2 calculations of dipole moments, pi-orbital populations, and energies.     

C-H?Br, C-Br?Br, and C-Br?π interactions in the crystal structures of mesitylene- and dimesitylmethane-derived compounds bearing bromomethyl units

X-ray structure determinations of mesitylene- and dimesitylmethane-derived compounds bearing bromomethyl units (compounds 1-3) show that the crystal packing of the molecules is characterized by the presence of C-H?Br interactions, such as BrCH₂?Br, CH₃?Br, and C_PhH?Br. In addition, C-Br?Br and C-Br?π interactions determine the crystal packing. The bromomethyl groups play a major role in the packing of 1-3.     

Inside or outside a ligand cleft? Synthetic, structural, and kinetic inertness studies of zinc, cadmium, and mercury complexes of cross-bridged cyclam and cyclen

Ethylene cross-bridging of the popular tetraazamacrocyclic ligand cyclam has led to metal complexes with enhanced kinetic inertness. The synthesis and spectral characterization of zinc(II), cadmium(II), and mercury(II) complexes of cross-bridged cyclam (L1) as well as cross-bridged cyclen (L2) are reported along with the details of our synthetic route to L2. X-ray structural studies revealed that all Zn(II) and Cd(II) cations are fully kappa(4)N-coordinated inside the respective ligand's molecular cleft with L1 providing the better fit for Zn(II). While Hg(II) is similarly coordinated to L2, it has been found to complex L1 outside the ligand cleft in a novel exo-kappa(2)N-mode. Solution NMR data of the kappa(4)N complexes are consistent with the presence of only a single cis-folded isomer in each case. Ligand (1)H and (13)C coupling to both (111,113)Cd and (199)Hg in their complexes can be clearly discerned. The relative kinetic inertness of representative cross-bridged complexes in acidic aqueous solution has been assessed and found to be in the following order: Zn(II) > Cd(II)[dbl greater-than] Hg(II). The data also reaffirm that cross-bridged cyclam ligand L1 forms a substantially more inert complex with zinc(II) than either the smaller cyclen analogue L2 or the unbridged 1,4,8,11-tetramethyl-cyclam L3.     

Die Papierchromatographie einfacher Phenole, aromatischer Oxycarbons?uren and aromatischer Oxycarbons?ureamide

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Densities, Viscosities, Speeds of Sound, FT-IR and 1H-NMR Studies of Binary Mixtures of n-Butyl Acetate with Ethanol, Propan-1-ol, Butan-1-ol and Pentan-1-ol at?298.15, 303.15, 308.15 and 313.15?K

Densities, viscosities and speeds of sound of binary mixtures of ethanol, propan-1-ol, butan-1-ol and pentane-1-ol with n-butyl acetate have been measured over the entire range of composition at temperatures of 298.15, 303.15, 308.15 and 313.15 K and atmospheric pressure. From the experimental densities, viscosities and speeds of sound, the excess molar volumes V ^E, deviations in viscosity ????, and deviations in isentropic compressibility ???? _S have been calculated. The excess molar volumes and deviations in isentropic compressibility are positive for all the binary systems studied over the whole composition, while deviations in viscosities are negative for all of the binary mixtures. The excess molar volumes, deviations in viscosity, and deviations in isentropic compressibility have been fitted to a Redlich?CKister type polynomial equation. FTIR and ¹H-NMR studies of these mixtures are also reported.     

Oral,Direct Thrombin and Factor Xa Inhibitors: The Replacement for Warfarin,Leeches, and Pig Intestines?

To prevent thromboses after surgery, patients have until now had to inject themselves daily with heparin. For stroke prophylaxis in atrial fibrillation, patients take vitamin K antagonists of the coumarin type, which have a narrow therapeutic window and whose dosage must be regularly monitored. In order to improve the standard of therapy in thromboembolic diseases such as deep‐vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and stroke in atrial fibrillation, intensive research has been carried out over the last decade in the search for new, orally active thrombin and factor Xa inhibitors. A number of these compounds are already on the market or are in advanced clinical development; they could revolutionize the anticoagulant market.     

Reduction and alkylation of proteins in preparation of two-dimensional map analysis: why, when, and how?

The standard procedure adopted up to the present in proteome analysis calls for just reduction prior to the isoelectric focusing/immobilized pH gradient (IEF/IPG) step, followed by a second reduction/alkylation step in between the first and second dimension, in preparation for the sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) step. This protocol is far from being optimal. It is here demonstrated, by matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF)-mass spectrometry, that failure to reduce and alkylate proteins prior to any electrophoretic step (including the first dimension) results in a large number of spurious spots in the alkaline pH region, due to "scrambled" disulfide bridges among like and unlike chains. This series of artefactual spots comprises not only dimers, but an impressive series of oligomers (up to nonamers) in the case of simple polypeptides such as the human alpha- and beta-globin chains, which possess only one (alpha-) or two (beta-) -SH groups. As a result, misplaced spots are to be found in the resulting two-dimensional (2-D) map, if performed with the wrong protocol. The number of such artefactual spots can be impressively large. In the case of analysis of complex samples, such as human plasma, it is additionally shown that failure to alkylate proteins results in a substantial loss of spots in the alkaline gel region, possibly due to the fact that these proteins, at their pI, regenerate their disulfide bridges with concomitant formation of macroaggregates which become entangled with and trapped within the polyacrylamide gel fibers. This strongly quenches their transfer in the subsequent SDS-PAGE step.     

Gllykols?ure, ?pfels?ure, Bernsteins?ure, Citronens?ure und Oxals?ure

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Density functional theory investigation of structure,stability, and glycerol/hydrogen adsorption on Cu,Cu?Zn,and Cu?ZnO clusters

Extensive density functional theory calculations are performed to analyze the structure and activity of Cu and Cu Zn/Cu ZnO clusters containing up to 10 Cu/Zn atoms. The minimum-energy structures of Cu Zn and Cu ZnO clusters are found by doping minimum-energy pure Cu clusters with Zn atom(s) and ZnO molecule(s), respectively, followed by energy minimization of the resultant clusters. Odd-even alteration in properties that determine cluster stability/activity is observed with cluster size, which may be attributed to the presence/absence of unpaired electrons. The difference in behavior between Zn/ZnO doping can be interpreted in terms of charge transfer between atoms. Charge transfers from Zn to Cu in the Cu Zn clusters and from Cu and Zn atoms to O atom in Cu-ZnO clusters, which implies that the Cu atom acts as an electron acceptor in the Cu Zn clusters but not in the Cu ZnO clusters. Finally, the adsorption energies of glycerol and hydrogen on Cu Zn/Cu ZnO clusters are computed in the context of the use of Cu Zn/Cu ZnO catalysts in glycerol hydrogenolysis. Glycerol adsorption is generally found to be more energetically favorable than hydrogen adsorption. Dual-site glycerol adsorption is also observed in some of the planar clusters. Fundamental insights obtained in this study can be useful in the design of Cu Zn/Cu ZnO catalysts.