LCGTO MP LSD calculations for the diatomics PdX (X = C,Si, Ge,Sn)

Results are presented of a theoretical study of RhC, PdC, PdSi, PdGe and PdSn metal-alloy diatomics performed with the LCGTO MP LSD method. For the RhC molecule the computed electronic structure and spectroscpic constants are in good agreement with experimental data. The ground state of RhC is found to be ²Σ⁺ withe the lowest-lying excited state, ²II, at 10654 cm⁻¹ above the ground state, in good agreement with experiment and with ab initio CI calculations. For PdC and the other Pd-group IV A dimers the ground state is predicted to be ¹Σ and the two lowest-lying excited state are ³II (at 2718 cm⁻¹ for PdC) and ³gS (at 12164 cm⁻¹ for PdC). Our results are in disagreement with ab initio CI studies for PdC, which found a ³Σ ground state with a ³II lowest-lying excited state, and for PdGe, which found a ³II ground state followed by ³Σ⁻ and ¹Σ⁺.     

Improved methods of obtaining Nim-trityl-substituted histidine derivatives

Two variants are proposed for the synthesis of N^α-Boc-N^im-tritylhistidiine. The first variant starts from N^α,N^im-di-Boc-histidine, from which the N^im-Boc group is removed with hydrazine hydrate. The N^α-Boc-histidine formed is esterified with chlorotrimethylsilane, tritylated in the imidazole group, and, after the elimination of the trimethylsilyl protection from the carboxyl group, N^α-Boc-N^im-tritylglycine is obtained with a yield of 80%. The second variant starts from N^α,N^im-ditritylhistidine, which, by treatment with hydrochloric acid in acetone and then with dilute ammonia, is converted into N^im-tritylhistidine. From this, by acylation with di-tert-butyl pyrocarbonate, N^α-Boc-N^im-tritylhistidine is obtained with a yield of 91%. The acylation of N^im-tritylhistidine with other alkoxycarbonylating reagents leads to N^α-tert-amyl-, N^α-benzyl-, and N^α-4-methoxybenzyloxycarbonyl derivatives of N^im-tritylhistidine.     

Metal Ion Interaction of Two New Tritopic N2O13 Macrobicycles with B15C5 Moieties in Acetonitrile Solution

The synthesis of two new tritopic crown ligands (L1 and L2) bearing two benzo-15-crown-5 lateral moieties linked through a dibenzo-trioxa chain together with their interaction with metal ions, in acetonitrile and acetonitrile–water (50%, v/v) solutions is reported. The influence of K⁺, Na⁺, Li⁺, Ca²⁺, Ba²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Al³⁺, on the spectroscopic properties of these diaza-polyoxa ligands was investigated by absorption spectrophotometry and in some cases by fluorescence emission spectroscopy. Coordination with alkaline (Na⁺, K⁺ and Li⁺) and alkaline earth (Ca²⁺and Ba²⁺) metal ions is assumed to be weak with both macrobicyclic ligands, while the interaction with both imine and amine derivatives causes a minor effect in the absorption spectra. Coordination with Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Pb²⁺ in acetonitrile solution causes a major change in the absorption spectra of the chromophores. In the case of Cu²⁺, addition of the metal to L1 or L2 leads to a blue–violet complex in solution with an absorbance maximum centred at 590 nm. Interaction of the Schiff-base L1 with Pb²⁺ leads to a short wavelength shift in the absorption bands, comparable with the ZnL1 complex. Presence of transition metal ions such as Co²⁺, Ni²⁺and Cd²⁺ do not remarkably affect the absorption spectra of L1 and L2 in solution. Trivalent aluminium has a modest effect in the absorption bands of both N₂O₁₃ donor set bismacrocyclic ligands. The fluorescence study of L2 in the presence of Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Ba²⁺, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Al³⁺shows that Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Al³⁺ complexes form non-fluorescent complexes.     

Influence of transition metal ions on the textural properties of alumina and aluminasilicates

Accelerated phase transformations and chemical reactions of metastable aluminas and kaolinite, doped with Cu^{2 +}, Mn^{3 +}/Mn^{2 +} and Fe^{3 +}/Fe^{2 +} ions, are accompanied with accelerated decrease of surface area and pore volume values. The phenomena in metal ion doped samples are explained by a catalytic mechanism, in terms of the Jahn-Teller effect. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Stabilité dans le méthanol et propriétés thermodynamiques de transfert des cryptates de certains cations de transition et de métaux lourds

Stability in Methanol and Thermodynamic Transfer Properties of the Cryptates of some Transition Cations and Heavy Metals The nature and stability of the macrocyclic and macrobicyclic complexes of Ag⁺, Cd²⁺, and Pb²⁺ (Mⁿ⁺) with 21, 22, 211, 221 and 222 in anhydrous methanol 0.05M in Et₄N⁺ClO^?₄, at 25° (see Scheme) have been determined by potentiometry and spectrophotometry. Binuclear complexes M₂L²ⁿ⁺ have been observed in all cases, besides the mononuclear MLⁿ⁺ complexes. The macrobicyclic 1:1 complexes MLⁿ⁺ exhibit an important ‘cryptate effect’ with Mⁿ⁺=Ag⁺, Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺, but not with Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺; their stability is in all cases maximum with 221. The applicability to our results of the recent extrathermodynamic hypothesis involving MLⁿ⁺ cryptates is examined.     

Natural radioactivity distribution in geological matrices around Kaiga environment

Summary The activity and absorbed dose rate of the naturally occurring radionuclides, viz. ²³⁸U, ²³² Th and ⁴⁰K were determined in soil and rock samples collected around Kaiga site. The mean activity levels (Kaiga soil) of naturally occurring ²³² Th are comparable with that in worldwide soil, while concentrations of ²³⁸U and ⁴⁰K are lower than those in worldwide soil. The absorbed dose rate in outdoor air ranged 20-58 nGy ^. h^-1 with a mean of 33.3 nGy ^. h^-1, which is below the world average of 60 nGy ^. h^-1. The total effective dose rate in outdoor air for soils ranged 25.6-74.4 mSv ^. y^-1 with a mean of 43.0 mSv ^. y^-1. The estimated dose rate at Kaiga is comparable with that estimated at Kakrapar and Rawatbhata and much less than that estimated at coastal sites of India.     

An electrochemical study of energy-dependent potassium accumulation in E. coli Part 15. K+-uptaking activity on glycolysing Trk mutants

The characteristics of two-step K⁺ uptake and H⁺-K⁺ exchange, the K⁺ dependence of growth and the K⁺ gradient between the cytoplasm and the medium in glycolysing Escherichia coli Trk mutants with defects in the TrkH and the TrkG systems, forming a K⁺-uptaking TrkA activity, were studied.It is concluded that K⁺ uptake with a low affinity and DCCD-sensitive H⁺-K⁺ exchange with a fixed ratio of 2H⁺ to K⁺ in glycolysing bacteria take place through the TrkH system formed by the TrkA, TrkE and TrkH gene products. This system can interact directly with F₀F₁ and form a united supercomplex functioning as a H⁺-K⁺ pump. A system of K⁺ uptake with a low affinity involving in H⁺-K⁺ exchange with variable stoichiometry contains at least the TrkA protein, which can interact with the separate F₀.     

210Pb and 210Po concentrations in the Venice lagoon ecosystem (Italy) and the potential radiological impact to the local public and environment

In order to evaluate the possible radiological impact to the local public and environment from a phosphogypsum stockpile, ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb concentrations in river water, lagoon water, suspended matter, superficial sediment, algae and bivalves samples collected in Venice lagoon area have been investigated. The results show that the mean ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb concentrations in river water are 1.42±0.36 mBq^.l^-1 and 1.46±0.39 mBq^.l^-1 with a mean ²¹⁰Po/²¹⁰Pb ratio of 0.98±0.17 and about 60% of them are associated with the particulate; ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb contribution from the phosphogypsum stockpile to the river water is negligible. Higher ²¹⁰Po (2.61-5.67 mBq^.l^-1) and ²¹⁰Pb (1.31-3.62 mBq^.l^-1) concentrations in the lagoon waters have been observed if compared with the literature values. About 60% of ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb are found in the soluble form with a mean ²¹⁰Po/²¹⁰Pb ratio of 1.79±1.47. ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb concentrations in 28 out 37 sediment samples ranged from 26 to 45 Bq^.kg^-1 (dry weight), only 9 sediments with ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb concentrations greater than 45 Bq^.kg^-1 are found and most of them are located 1-4 km near the phosphogypsum stockpile. The elevated ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb concentrations in the sediments may be due to the contamination from the phosphogypsum stockpile. The mean ²¹⁰Po/²¹⁰Pb ratio (0.986±0.049) in the sediments shows that ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb exist in nearly secular equilibrium. ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb concentrations in algae vary with different species. The mean ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb concentrations in Gracilaria compress and Ulva laetevirens which show a similar behavior, are 3.18±1.23 Bq^.kg^-1 and 2.42±1.26 Bq^.kg^-1 (fresh weight), respectively, with a mean ²¹⁰Po/²¹⁰Pb ratio of 1.45±0.34. The mean concentration factors with respect to the filtered water are 1096±424 for ²¹⁰Po and 1299±680 for ²¹⁰Pb. The mean ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb concentrations in the soft part of Mytilus edulis are 23.2±9.7 Bq^.kg^-1 and 0.537±0.203 Bq^.kg^-1 (fresh weight), respectively, with a mean ²¹⁰Po/²¹⁰Pb ratio of 43.6±10.0. The mean concentration factors with respect to the filtered water are 8006±3351 for ²¹⁰Po and 290±109 for ²¹⁰Pb, showing a very high accumulation effect for ²¹⁰Po. The accumulation behaviors of Cerastoderma glaucum and Tapes philippinarum for ²¹⁰Po are similar to Mytilus edulis, but that for ²¹⁰Pb seems less effective, corresponding to a relatively higher ²¹⁰Po/²¹⁰Pb ratio. The estimated committed effective doses from ²¹⁰Po for the individual local public through ingestion of bivalves are in the range of 0.050-0.231 mSv^.y^-1.     

Calculations on bound and autoionizing states,and continuum radiative properties for Li− and Na−

Semi-empirical model potential calculations have been performed for bound and continuum properties of Li^? and Na^?. The calculated electron affinities of the 2s²¹S state of Li^? and the 3s²¹S and 3p²³P^e states of Na^? are in agreement with the calculations of Norcross and with experimental data. Positions of possible autoionizing states are calculated using projection and root stabilization methods. The Stieltjes imaging method of Langhoff is employed to compute the photodetachment cross sections of Li^? and Na^? and the results are in excellent agreement with the close-coupling calculations of Moores and Norcross. A comparison of variational and numerical results for the coupled time-dependent Hartree-Fock photoionization of helium shows that good Stieltjes imaging results can be obtained with a very small basis set for the variational calculation. The continuous photoemission profile for the 3p²³P^e state of Na^? is also obtained.     

Preparation of99Mo,132Te isotopes and99mTc,132I generators

Adsorption and desorption of⁹⁵Zr−⁹⁵Nb,⁹⁹Mo,¹⁰³Ru,¹³²Te and²³⁹Np in a HCl-alumina system were studied in order to purify⁹⁹Mo and¹³²Te obtained by the cation-exchange separation of fission products and to prepare highly pure^99mTc and¹³²I generators.⁹⁹Mo and¹³²Te, of which radionuclidic purity was over 99.99% and 99.999%, respectively, could be obtained by passing the cation-exchange separated Mo and Te fractions through alumina columns, by washing with HCl and finally by eluting⁹⁹Mo with 1M NH₄OH and¹³²Te with 3M NaOH. In order to raise the recovery of⁹⁹Mo and¹³²Te from the alumina columns, they should be eluted as quickly as possible after the adsorption. The direct use of the alumina column containing⁹⁹Mo or¹³²Te as the generator allowed milking of^99mTc or¹³²I, of which radionuclidic purity was over 99.999%. Milking yields of^99mTc with 0.1M HCl and¹³²I with 0.01M NH₄OH were 77% and 90%, respectively. The latter value was much higher than that in usual performance of the generator.     

Stereoselective Synthesis of Sialyl Lewisa Antigen and the Effective Anticancer Activity of Its Bacteriophage Qβ Conjugate as an Anticancer Vaccine

Sialyl Lewis^a (sLe^a), also known as cancer antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), is a tumor-associated carbohydrate antigen. The overexpression of sLe^a on the surface of a variety of cancer cells makes it an attractive target for anticancer immunotherapy. However, sLe^a-based anticancer vaccines have been under-explored. To develop a new vaccine, efficient stereoselective synthesis of sLe^a with an amine-bearing linker was achieved, which was subsequently conjugated with a powerful carrier bacteriophage, Qβ. Mouse immunization with the Qβ-sLe^a conjugate generated strong and long-lasting anti-sLe^a IgG antibody responses, which were superior to those induced by the corresponding conjugate of sLe^a with the benchmark carrier keyhole limpet hemocyanin. Antibodies elicited by Qβ-sLe^a were highly selective toward the sLe^a structure, could bind strongly with sLe^a-expressing cancer cells and human pancreatic cancer tissues, and kill tumor cells through complement-mediated cytotoxicity. Furthermore, vaccination with Qβ-sLe^a significantly reduced tumor development in a metastatic cancer model in mice, demonstrating tumor protection for the first time by a sLe^a-based vaccine, thus highlighting the significant potential of sLe^a as a promising cancer antigen.     

210Pb fluxes in sediment layers sampled from Northern Patagonia lakes

Unsupported ²¹⁰Pb fluxes were determined from sediment core inventories in lakes located in Northern Patagonia, Argentina. Total ²¹⁰Pb, ²²⁶Ra, associated with supported ²¹⁰Pb, and ¹³⁷Cs specific activity profiles were measured by gamma-ray spectrometry. Unsupported ²¹⁰Pb fluxes showed very low values when compared to other regions, with a 12 fold variation, ranging from 4 to 48 Bq m^–2.y^–1. The linear correlation observed between the ²¹⁰Pb fluxes and¹³⁷Cs cumulative fluxes in sediment cores sampled from water bodies within a zone with similar precipitation demonstrated that both radioisotopes behave in the same manner in these systems concerning the processes occurred from fallout to sediment deposition, and that there are no appreciable local or regional sources of unsupported ²¹⁰Pb. Positive correlation of ²¹⁰Pb fluxes with organic matter contents of the uppermost sediment core layers was also observed.     

Pulse radiolytic studies of metallic clusters in a quaternary microemulsion system

The radiation-chemical reduction of Tl⁺, Co²⁺ and Ni²⁺ ions in water-in-oil microemulsion has been described. Rate constants for the reduction of the metal ions by e^- _aq were found to be much lower compared to those in aqueous solution. The absorption spectrum and the rate constants of formation of the transient intermediates of metal clusters were correlated with the water-pool size, surrounding environment and compared with data in aqueous solution. Tl₂ ⁺ reacts with Cd²⁺ with k = 1.1 × 10⁸ M^-1 s^-1. Reactions of Tl₂ ⁺ and Co⁺ with Ag⁺ leads to the formation of Ag metal particles. No reaction was observed from Cd⁺ to Tl⁺ or Co²⁺. The results are discussed in terms of dynamic exchange of materials between the polar cores of microemulsion. This exchange facilitates formation of silver particles.     

The spectrophotometric and titrimetric determination of gold with ferroin as reagent

A spectrophotometric and a photometric titration method in a two-phase system for the determination of gold with ferroin is reported. Both methods are rapid and reproducible with an accuracy of ±1%. In the spectrophotometric determination Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺ , Fe³⁺, Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺ and Cr³⁺ do not interfere with the determination of gold and Pt⁴⁺, Pd²⁺, Hg²⁺, Ir⁴⁺ and Os⁴⁺ can be tolerated up to a ratio of 1:1. The titrations can also be carried out in the presence of a number of diverse ions, e.g. Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Co²⁺, Fe³⁺, Zn²⁺, Cr³⁺, Mn²⁺, without interference; the platinum metals and Hg²⁺ cause interference but, by the use of the spectrophotometric procedure, this can be reduced.     

Metal chelates of thiazole-2-ylthiourea

Summary The formation constants of 1-phenyl-3-thiazole-2-ylthiourea complexes with some bivalent metal ions (Cu^II, Ni^II, Zn^II and Mn^II) have been determined in 75% EtOH–H₂O. Complexes of Cu^II, Ni^II, Zn^II, Hg^II and Pd^II have been isolated and characterized by conductance, i.r., electronic spectra and magnetic measurements. The ligand forms ML complexes with Cu^II and Hg^II and ML₂ with Ni^II, Zn^II and Pd^II, where L is the uninegatively charged bidentate ligand and binds through the ring nitrogen and thiocarbonyl sulphur atoms.     

The chemistry and kinetic behavior of Cu-Cr-As/B wood preservatives. II. Fixation of the Cu/Cr system on wood

The kinetic behavior of a Cr⁶⁺/Cu²⁺ system in its reaction with wood has been elucidated. The same reactions with carbohydrates and lignin of wood for Cr^VI alone are still present. Approximately 20% of the copper is fixed to the guaiacyl units of lignin in the form of copper chromate; the remaining copper forms complexes with cellulose and mainly with the guaiacyl units of lignin. The Cr^VI/lignin guaiacyl unit complexes already found for the treatment of wood with CrO₃ are still the main Cr^VI complexes formed. Copper chromate is present as [Cu(H₂O)₂(guaiacol)]CrO₄(guaiacol) complexes, and CuCrO₄ bridges between different guaiacyl units of the lignin network appear to be likely. Substantial interference of the Cu²⁺ ions in the second-zone reactions of Cr^VI with wood occurs. The amount of Cr^VI and Cr^III fixed onto lignin and cellulose compares well with experimental values. Rate constants, energies of activation, and Arrhenius equations of the various reactions have been obtained. The amount of Cu²⁺ interference in the reaction has also been calculated.     

Plutonium measurements in Hanford DOE site waste samples

This paper describes development work to prepare a method to measure absolute²³⁹Pu content and Pu-isotopics by ICP-MS in acidified Hanford DOE-site samples which are very high in⁹⁰Sr,⁹⁹Tc, and¹³⁷Cs radioactivity and which are frequently high in organic carbon content. Samples with very large⁹⁰Sr and¹³⁷Cs contents have historically been difficult to analyze for Pu content by each of three alpha-counting techniques in use at SRS, and analysis by ICP-MS in these samples is complicated by the high organics content. We report an ion exchange chemical preparation to obtain fraction of Pu that does not contain any fission product contribution and no interfering organics to allow measure of absolute²³⁹Pu and of²³⁹Pu through²⁴¹Pu isotopics by ICP-MS. The method uses a²⁴²Pu spike to measure Pu recovery and is demonstrated in this paper with three distinct commercially available resins and with over 300 samples. Measured absolute²³⁹Pu contents in sixty-three spiked/unspiked duplicates have agreed within 15% precision. Overall²⁴²Pu recoveries were near 90% with 25% precision. Comparisons of absolute²³⁹Pu contents measured directly on three samples agreed within the quoted 25% uncertainty.     

The Synthesis of New Triazole Ligands and Determination of Complex Stability Constants with Transition Metal Cations in Aqueous Media

Six new triazole compounds were synthesized. These compounds containing the substituted benzylidenamino group were obtained by reaction of 3-(pyridine-4-yl)-5-p-tolyl-4-amino-4H-l,2,4-triazole 1 with the corresponding aldehyde. The reduced forms were prepared with NaBH₄ in methanol. The structures of the compounds were determined by IR, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR spectral data, and their interaction with cations such as Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, Cs⁺, Ba²⁺, Sr²⁺, Ca²⁺, Cu²⁺, Cr³⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Ag⁺ were investigated by using UV-visible spectrophotometry. Of the tested metal cations, Cu²⁺, Cr³⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Ag⁺ complexed with the ligands. The complex stability constants (log ₁₀ K) were measured in slightly acidic aqueous media at 25.0±0.1 °C. These stability constants were determined by measuring the increase in solubility of the nearly insoluble ligand molecule due to complex formation with a soluble cation, and this method is discussed. It was found that the position of chlorine atoms on the benzene ring strongly affects the complexation of Cu²⁺ ion with these ligands.     

The role of the solvation shell decomposition of alkali metal ions in their selective complexation by resorcinarene and its cavitand

2-Methylresorcinarene and its methylene-bridged cavitand derivative as host compounds were investigated in selective complexation of alkali metal ions as guests in methanol media by photoluminescence measurements. These host molecules possess either flexible (2-methylresorcinarene) or rigid (cavitand) molecular skeleton. The Benesi–Hildebrand method and the van't Hoff theory have been applied to determine the stability constants and the thermodynamic parameters, respectively. Considerable interactions between 2-methylresorcinarene and Li⁺ or Na⁺ ions have been observed while the rigid cavitand derivative can interact only with K⁺ or Cs⁺ ions. Neither the complexes of 2-methylresorcinarene with K⁺ or Cs⁺ nor those of the cavitand derivative with Li⁺ or Na⁺ ions are stable at room temperature in methanol media. Quantum-chemical investigations justified that only solvated Li⁺ and Na⁺ ions can form stable complexes with 2-methylresorcinarene while unsolvated K⁺ and Cs⁺ ions form stable complexes with the methylene-bridged cavitand. These results highlight that the stability of the guest solvation shell and its size could play a key role in the selectivity behaviour of host molecules.     

Hydration of guanidinium depends on its local environment

Hydration of gaseous guanidinium (Gdm⁺) with up to 100 water molecules attached was investigated using infrared photodissociation spectroscopy in the hydrogen stretch region between 2900 and 3800 cm^–1. Comparisons to IR spectra of low-energy computed structures indicate that at small cluster size, water interacts strongly with Gdm⁺ with three inner shell water molecules each accepting two hydrogen bonds from adjacent NH₂ groups in Gdm⁺. Comparisons to results for tetramethylammonium (TMA⁺) and Na⁺ enable structural information for larger clusters to be obtained. The similarity in the bonded OH region for Gdm(H₂O)₂₀ ⁺ vs. Gdm(H₂O)₁₀₀ ⁺ and the similarity in the bonded OH regions between Gdm⁺ and TMA⁺ but not Na⁺ for clusters with <50 water molecules indicate that Gdm⁺ does not significantly affect the hydrogen-bonding network of water molecules at large size. These results indicate that the hydration around Gdm⁺ changes for clusters with more than about eight water molecules to one in which inner shell water molecules only accept a single H-bond from Gdm⁺. More effective H-bonding drives this change in inner-shell water molecule binding to other water molecules. These results show that hydration of Gdm⁺ depends on its local environment, and that Gdm⁺ will interact with water even more strongly in an environment where water is partially excluded, such as the surface of a protein. This enhanced hydration in a limited solvation environment may provide new insights into the effectiveness of Gdm⁺ as a protein denaturant.