Delayed autocatalytic behavior of Mn(II) ions at a critical ratio: The effect of structural isomerism on permanganic oxidation of L‐norleucine

The kinetics of the permanganic oxidation process of L ‐norleucine, L ‐leucine, L ‐iso‐leucine, and L ‐tert‐leucine in strong acid medium has been investigated using a spectrophotometric technique. Conclusive evidences have proven autocatalytic activity of Mn(II) for these reactions in strong acid medium analogous to weak acid medium, but in the former, ratio of Mn(II) to amino acid concentration must reach a certain amount for autocatalytic phenomenon to emerge, which we call “critical ratio.” This critical ratio depends on the nature of the amino acid employed. Thus considering “delayed autocatalytic behavior” of Mn(II) ions, rate equations satisfying observations for both catalytic and noncatalytic routes have been presented. Kinetic data in a noncatalytic pathway have been fitted to a biparametric equation including inductive, steric, and hyperconjugation correction effects, and it is determined that by shifting the side branch on a carbon chain toward an α‐carbon atom (adjacent to amino acid's functional group) and also adding branches to the α‐carbon atom, the reaction rate in the noncatalytic pathway decreases. Inductive and steric hindrance factors in amino acid's carbon chain are effective on processes' rate both in catalytic and noncatalytic pathways. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 38: 1–11, 2006     

Asymmetric β‐Methylation of l‐ and d‐α‐Amino Acids by a Self‐Contained Enzyme Cascade

This report describes a modular enzyme‐catalyzed cascade reaction that transforms l ‐ or d ‐α‐amino acids to β‐methyl‐α‐amino acids. In this process an α‐amino acid transaminase, an α‐keto acid methyltransferase, and a halide methyltransferase cooperate in two orthogonal reaction cycles that mediate product formation and regeneration of the cofactor pyridoxal‐5′‐phosphate and the co‐substrate S‐adenosylmethionine. The only stoichiometric reagents consumed in this process are the unprotected l ‐ or d ‐α‐amino acid and methyl iodide.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the dehydration reaction of sarcosine to a bislactame through diacyclperoxide intermediate in strong acidic medium

The influence of substitution on the amine functional group of glycine in the permanganic oxidation of such an α‐amino acid in moderately concentrated sulfuric acid medium has been investigated. Reaction products analysis has revealed that contrary to the usual α‐amino acid oxidation product, which is an aldehyde species, a valuable compound, namely 1,4‐dimethylpiperazine‐2,5‐dione, has been obtained as the main product via a cheap, simple, efficient, and novel method. Sarcosine has been chosen as a substituted derivative of glycine, and the kinetics and mechanism of its permanganic oxidation have been investigated using a spectrophotometric technique. Conclusive evidence has proven delayed autocatalytic activity for Mn(II) in this reaction, analogous to some α‐amino acids. It has been revealed that such activity can show up when a certain concentration ratio of Mn(II) to sarcosine is built up in the medium, which we call the “critical ratio.” The magnitude of the latter ratio depends on the sulfuric acid concentration. Considering the “delayed autocatalytic behavior” of Mn(II) ions, rate equations satisfying observations for both catalytic and noncatalytic routes have been presented. The reaction shows first‐order dependence on permanganate ions and sarcosine concentrations in both catalytic and noncatalytic pathways, and apparent first‐order dependence on Mn²⁺ ions in catalytic pathways. The correspondence of pseudo‐order rate constants of the catalytic and noncatalytic pathways to Arrhenius and Eyring laws has verified “critical ratio” as well as “delayed autocatalytic behavior” concepts. The activation parameters associated with both pathways have been computed and discussed. Mechanisms for both catalytic and noncatalytic routes involving radical intermediates as well as a product having a diketopiperazine skeleton have been reported for the first time. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 41: 689–703, 2009     

Enantiodivergent Synthesis of (+)‐ and (−)‐Pyrrolidine 197B: Synthesis of trans‐2,5‐Disubstituted Pyrrolidines by Intramolecular Hydroamination

A highly efficient, diastereoselective, iron(III)‐catalyzed intramolecular hydroamination/cyclization reaction involving α‐substituted amino alkenes is described. Thus, enantiopure trans‐2,5‐disubstituted pyrrolidines and trans‐5‐substituted proline derivatives were synthesized by means of a combination of enantiopure starting materials, easily available from l ‐α‐amino acids, with sustainable metal catalysts such as iron(III) salts. The scope of this methodology is highlighted in an enantiodivergent approach to the synthesis of both (+)‐ and (?)‐pyrrolidine 197B alkaloids from l ‐glutamic acid. In addition, a computational study was carried out to gain insight into the complete diastereoselectivity of the transformation.     

Enthalpic Interaction for α-Amino Acid with Alkali Metal Halides in Water

The studies of the enthalpic interaction parameters, hxy, hxyy and hxxy, of alkali metal halides with glycine, α-alanine and α-aminobutyric acid were published. Synthetic considering of the results of the studies, some interesting behaviors of the interaction between alkali metal halides and the α-amino acids have been found. The values of hxy will increase with the increase of the number of carbon atoms in alkyl side chain of amino acid molecules and decrease with the increase of the radius of the ions. The increasing of the salt‘s effect on the hydrophobic hydration structure as the radii of anion is more obvious than as that of cation. The value of hxxy will regularly decrease with the increase of the number of carbon atoms in the alkyl chain of amino acids and linear increase with the increase of the radius. But the relation of hxxyWith the radius of cations is not evident. The value of hxyywill increase with the increase of the radii of the ions. As the increase of the number of carbon atoms of amino acids, hxyy is decreas for the ions which have lager size and there is a maximum value at α-alanine for the ions which have small size. The behaviors of the interaction mentioned above were further discussed in view of electrostatic and structural interactions.     

Enantiomer‐selective polymerization of (RS)‐(phenoxymethyl)thiirane with diethylzinc/L‐amino acid

Enantiomer‐selective polymerization of (RS)‐(phenoxymethyl)thiirane (RS‐ 1 ) was carried out with ZnEt₂/L ‐α‐amino acid as an initiator system, and the effect of the initiator system on the enantiomer selectivity was examined with various amino acids. All polymerizations heterogeneously proceeded, and every initiating system was effective in producing optically active polymers. For the polymerization of RS‐ 1 with diethylzinc (ZnEt₂)/L ‐leucine (1/1), the conversion was 43.7% in 12 days, and the number‐average molecular weight of the polymer was 18,000. The enantiomer selectivity was maximum when the molar ratio of the two components in the ZnEt₂/L ‐α‐amino acid system was 1:1. When the ZnEt₂/L ‐leucine (1/1) system was used in the polymerization, the best result was obtained with an enantiomer‐selectivity value of 5.36. During the polymerization, the S enantiomer was preferentially consumed, and the isotactic‐rich polymer was enriched in the S configurational units produced. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 3443–3448, 2002     

The kinetics of the decarboxylation of malonic acid in normal alkanols

Rate constants and activation parameters are reported for the decarboxylation of malonic acid in seven normal alkanols (butanol-l to decanol-l inclusive). It is found that the enthalpy of activation of the reaction is a linear function of the number of carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon chain of tthe solvent, expressed by the equation: ΔH^≠ = –600n + 30,000, where n is thenumber of carbon atoms in the chain. Also an equation is developed relatingthe rate constant for the decarboxylation of malonic acid in normal alkanols to n (the number of carbon atoms in the chain): log K = 10.854283 – 0.3212674n + (131.136876n – 6556.5438)/T + log T. With the aid of this equation rate constants may be calulated for the decarboxylationof malonic acid in any alcohol at any temperature which agree with experimental values to within the limit of error of the experiments. A comparison of the data obtained in the present research for the decarboxylation of malonic acid in normal alkanols with previously reported data for the reaction in amines indicates that for reaction taking place in alcohols the transition state probably contains two molecules of solvent but only one for the reaction in amines.     

Conclusive evidence for delayed autocatalytic behavior of Mn(II) ions at a critical concentration

The kinetics of the permanganic oxidation process of glycine, L-alanine and L-leucine in strong acid media were investigated using a spectrophotometric technique. Conclusive evidence has proven that the autocatalytic activity of Mn(II) in these reactions in strong acidic media is analogous to that of weak acid media, but in the former, Mn(II) ions should acquire a critical concentration for them to show autocatalytic characteristics. This critical concentration depends on the nature of the amino acid used. Considering the delayed autocatalytic behavior of Mn(II) ions, we herein present the rate equations and mechanisms satisfying observations for both catalytic and noncatalytic routes. The correspondence of the pseudo-order rate constants of the catalytic and noncatalytic pathways to Eyring law verify both the critical concentration as well as the delayed autocatalytic behavior concepts. In general, the onset of delayed behavior can be attributed to the concentration ratio of Mn(II) to amino acid which can be of a certain value for any particular amino acid.     

Dynamic Odd–Even Effect in Liquid n‐Alkanes near Their Melting Points

n‐Alkanes are the textbook examples of the odd–even effect: The difference in the periodic packing of odd‐ and even‐numbered n‐alkane solids results in odd–even variation of their melting points. However, in the liquid state, in which this packing difference is not obvious, it seems natural to assume that the odd–even effect does not exist, as supported by the monotonic dependence of the boiling points of n‐alkanes on the chain length. Herein, we report a surprising odd–even effect in the translational diffusional dynamic properties of n‐alkanes in their liquid states. To measure the dynamics of the molecules, we performed quasi‐elastic neutron scattering measurements near their melting points. We found that odd‐numbered n‐alkanes exhibit up to 30 times slower dynamics than even‐numbered n‐alkanes near their respective melting points. Our results suggest that, although n‐alkanes are the simplest hydrocarbons, their dynamic properties are extremely sensitive to the number of carbon atoms.     

Effect of polyester zigzag structure on the phase segregation of polyester-based polyurethanes

Polyester-based polyurethanes were synthesized from 4,4′-methylenebis(phenyl isocyanate) (MDI) with butanediol as a chain extender and low molecular weight polyester–diol as a soft segment. Two polyesters were used in the synthesis of polyurethanes. One of the polyesters was synthesized from adipic acid and 1,6-hexanediol, which had an even number of carbon atoms. The other polyester was synthesized from pimelic acid and 1,5-pentanediol, which had an odd number of carbon atoms. The effect of even carbon monomers and odd carbon monomers of polyester soft segments on the phase segregation of soft and hard segments was studied by DSC (differential scanning calorimetry) and FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy). © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 2095–2104, 1999     

Generalized Wheland polynomial for large graphs

We report the generalized Wheland polynomial for acyclic graphs depicting polyenes havingn = 10 carbon atoms. We consider the problem of deriving generalized Wheland polynomials for larger chains by recursion. The recursion Wh(n + l;x) =, Wh(n; x) + (1 –x)Wh(n – 1;x) allows one to find the next larger generalized Wheland polynomial for a chain having an even number of vertices by knowing generalized Wheland polynomials of chains having fewer vertices. The recursion, however, does not allow one to predict the generalized Wheland polynomial for a chain having an odd number of vertices from smaller chains! Here we report a procedure which allows one to derive the generalized Wheland polynomial for a chain having an odd number of vertices. This is achieved by combining the coefficients for rings having the same number of vertices. The generalized Wheland polynomials for odd rings are simply related to the generalized Wheland polynomials for smaller chains and can be derived from the information on smaller chains. This makes it possible to extend the recursion for generalized Wheland polynomials for arbitrarily largen.     

Biosynthesis of the N–N‐Bond‐Containing Compound l‐Alanosine

The formation of a N?N bond is a unique biochemical transformation, and nature employs diverse biosynthetic strategies to activate nitrogen for bond formation. Among molecules that contain a N?N bond, biosynthetic routes to diazeniumdiolates remain enigmatic. We here report the biosynthetic pathway for the diazeniumdiolate‐containing amino acid l ‐alanosine. Our work reveals that the two nitrogen atoms in the diazeniumdiolate of l ‐alanosine arise from glutamic acid and aspartic acid, and we clarify the early steps of the biosynthetic pathway by using both in vitro and in vivo approaches. Our work demonstrates a peptidyl‐carrier‐protein‐based mechanism for activation of the precursor l ‐diaminopropionate, and we also show that nitric oxide can participate in non‐enzymatic diazeniumdiolate formation. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the gene alnA, which encodes a fusion protein with an N‐terminal cupin domain and a C‐terminal AraC‐like DNA‐binding domain, is required for alanosine biosynthesis.     

A density functional study on beryllium-doped carbon dianion clusters CnBe2- (n = 4-14)

Making use of the software of molecular graphics, we designed numerous models of C(n)()Be(2-) (n = 4-14). We carried out geometry optimization and calculation on vibration frequency by means of the B3LYP density functional method. After comparison of structure stability, we found that the ground-state isomers of C(n)()Be(2-) (n = 4-14) are linear with the beryllium atom located inside the C(n)() chain. When a side carbon chain is with an even number of carbon atoms, it is polyacetylene-like, whereas when a side chain is with an odd number of carbon atoms, it is cumulene-like. The C(n)Be(2-) (n = 4-14) clusters with an even number of carbon atoms are more stable than that with an odd number of carbon atoms, matching the peak pattern observed in accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) and Coulomb Explosion Imaging (CEI) investigations of C(n)()Be(2-) (n = 4-14). The trend of such odd/even alternation is explained based on concepts of bonding characteristics, electronic configuration, electron detachment, and incremental binding energy.     

High-resolution analysis by nano-electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry for the identification of molecular species of phospholipids and their oxidized metabolites

Nano-electrospray ionization (ESI) Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICRMS) was applied to identify the molecular species of phosphatidylethanolamine of Caenorhabditis elegans, which has a high concentration of phospholipids with a fatty acyl chain having an odd number of carbon atoms. The molecular species of diacyl phosphatidylethanolamine with one fatty acyl chain having an odd number of carbon atoms and one fatty acyl chain having an even number of carbon atoms was identified separately from alkyl-acyl phosphatidylethanolamine with an alkyl chain having an even number of carbon atoms and a fatty acyl chain having an even number of carbon atoms. Furthermore, nano-ESI-FTICRMS was applied to the direct identification of oxidized phosphatidylcholine from soybean. The mass peaks of individual molecular species of oxidative phosphatidylcholine, such as 34:3 diacyl phosphatidylcholine with peroxide (+2O) (m/z 788.544) or 34:2 diacyl phosphatidylcholine with peroxide (+2O) (m/z 790.560), can be separated from the peaks of the molecular species of the non-oxidative phospholipids. This suggests that the mass peaks with a difference of less than 0.1 mass units in their molecular weight can be separated and that their individual exact molecular compositions can be obtained by the FTICRMS analysis. The high resolution and high accuracy of FTICRMS are very effective in the analysis of molecular species of phospholipids and their derivatives.     

A Small Change in Central Linker Has a Profound Effect in Inducing Columnar Phases of Triazine‐Based Unconventional Dendrimers

Four unconventional triazine‐based dendrimers have been prepared and characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. Based on DSC studies, polarizing microscopy, and powder XRD, two of these dendrimers, containing linkers with an odd number of carbon atoms, were observed to display columnar liquid–crystalline phases during thermal treatment. However, the other two dendritic analogues, containing linkers with an even number of carbon atoms, were not observed to behave correspondingly. Based on computer simulation, we reasonably assume that the dendrimers with an odd number of carbon atoms in their linkers distort their molecular shape and adopt two isomeric structures due to asymmetrical congestion. This reduces the molecular π–π face‐to‐face interaction, which in turn causes the dendrimers to form columnar LC phases during thermal treatment. However, the dendrimers with an even number of carbon atoms in their linkers have more symmetrical skeletons and do not display any liquid–crystalline phase upon thermal treatment. This new strategy should be applicable for eliciting the columnar liquid–crystalline properties of other types of unconventional dendrimers with rigid frameworks.     

Three‐phase hollow‐fiber microextraction combined with ion‐pair high‐performance liquid chromatography for the simultaneous determination of five components of compound α‐ketoacid tablets in human urine

The determination of α‐ketoacid concentration is demanded to evaluate the absorption and metabolic behavior of compound α‐ketoacid tablets taken by chronic kidney disease patients. To eliminate the interference of endogenous substance of urine and enrich the analytes, a three‐phase hollow‐fiber liquid‐phase microextraction combined with ion‐pair high‐performance liquid chromatography method was established for the determination of d ,l ‐α‐hydroxymethionine calcium, d ,l ‐α‐ketoisoleucine calcium, α‐ketovaline calcium, α‐ketoleucine calcium, and α‐ketophenylalanine calcium of compound α‐ketoacid tablets in human urine samples. The extraction parameters, such as organic solvent, pH of donor phase and acceptor phase, stirring rate, and extraction time were optimized. Under the optimal conditions, the obtained enrichment factors were up to 11‐, 110‐, 198‐, 202‐, and 50‐fold, respectively. The calibration curves for these analytes were linear over the range of 0.1–10 mg/L for α‐ketovaline calcium, d ,l ‐α‐ketoisoleucine calcium, and α‐ketoleucine calcium, 0.5–10 mg/L for d ,l ‐α‐hydroxymethionine calcium, and α‐ketophenylalanine calcium with r > 0.99. The relative standard deviations (n = 5) were less than 6.27% and the LODs were 100.7, 10.0, 5.8, 7.8, and 8.6 μg/L (based on S/N = 3), respectively. Good recoveries from spiked urine samples (92–118%) were obtained. The proposed method demonstrated excellent sample clean‐up and analytes enrichment to determine the five components in human urine.     

银环蛇蛇蜕的化学成分研究Ⅱ . 脂肪酸和氨基酸组分

用色谱－质谱（GC－MS）联用技术分析了银环蛇蛇蜕的脂肪酸成分,鉴定出36种脂肪酸（饱和酸28种不饱和酸8种）,在蛇蜕中发现16种饱和二元酸,并发现了自然界中少见的奇数碳脂肪酸14种及支链酸2种,用氨基酸自动分析仪测定了蛇蜕水提取液中的13种游离氨基酸,酸性水解液中17种氨基酸,在蛇蜕中发现存在牛 磺酸。     

catena‐Poly[[chloro­dipyridine­manganese(II)]‐μ3‐6‐oxo‐1,6‐dihydro­pyridine‐2‐carboxyl­ato]

The title one‐dimensional chain polymer complex, [Mn(C₆H₄NO₃)Cl(C₆H₅N)₂]_n, was isolated from the reaction of MnCl₂ with 6‐oxo‐1,6‐dihydro­pyridine‐2‐carboxylic acid (HpicOH) in pyridine. The asymmetric unit contains one [Mn(HPicO)Cl(py)₂] moiety (py is pyridine), with the (HpicO)⁻ ligand acting in a tridentate manner via the two carboxyl­ate O atoms and the pyridone O atom. The operation of inversion centres generates eight‐ and 14‐membered rings and, in conjunction with an a‐axis translation, leads to an infinite chain extending along [100]. The Mn⋯Mn separations in this chain are 5.1069 (6) and 7.1869 (6) Å. The Mn^II atom has a distorted octahedral coordination, with trans‐axial pyridine ligands and with three O atoms and the Cl atom in the equatorial plane. The conformation of the 14‐membered ring is stabilized by pairs of inversion‐related N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds.     

Use of a Catalytic Chiral Leaving Group for Asymmetric Substitutions at sp3‐Hybridized Carbon Atoms: Kinetic Resolution of β‐Amino Alcohols by p‐Methoxybenzylation

A catalytic strategy was developed for asymmetric substitution reactions at sp³‐hybridized carbon atoms by using a chiral alkylating agent generated in situ from trichloroacetimidate and a chiral phosphoric acid. The resulting chiral p‐methoxybenzyl phosphate selectively reacts with β‐amino alcohols rather than those without a β‐NH functionality. The use of an electronically and sterically tuned chiral phosphoric acid enables the kinetic resolution of amino alcohols through p‐methoxybenzylation with good enantioselectivity.     

π-Selective stationary phases: (II) Adsorption behaviour of substituted aromatic compounds on n-alkyl-phenyl stationary phases

The frontal analysis method was used to measure the adsorption isotherms of phenol, 4-chlorophenol, p-cresol, 4-methoxyphenol and caffeine on a series of columns packed with home-made alkyl-phenyl bonded silica particles. These ligands consist of a phenyl ring tethered to the silica support via a carbon chain of length ranging from 0 to 4 atoms. The adsorption isotherm models that fit best to the data account for solute–solute interactions that are likely caused by π–π interactions occurring between aromatic compounds and the phenyl group of the ligand. These interactions are the dominant factor responsible for the separation of low molecular weight aromatic compounds on these phenyl-type stationary phases. The saturation capacities depend on whether the spacer of the ligands have an even or an odd number of carbon atoms, with the even alkyl chain lengths having a greater saturation capacity than the odd alkyl chain lengths. The trends in the adsorption equilibrium constant are also significantly different for the even and the odd chain length ligands.