Ionic alkylleads in avian tissues from aquatic and terrestrial environments

Ionic alkyllead concentrations in soft tissues of pigeons from urban Montreal and environs were appreciably different from the variety and concentrations of alkyllead analytes which characterized mallard ducks culled from a sanctuary in eastern Ontario. The major toxicant in pigeons, triethyllead (Et₃Pb⁺) reflected the exclusive use of tetraethyllead as a gasoline additive in both regions. Urban colonies of pigeons were characterized by significantly greater concentrations of Et₃Pb⁺ than were specimens from a suburban/rural colony. In contrast, the major toxicant in ducks was trimethyllead although six other alkyllead analytes were also observed. An environmentally mediated methylation of Pb²⁺ which is more active in (but not restricted to) aquatic environments is postulated to account for the ubiquity of trimethyllead in ducks.     

Amperometric titrations of organolead and organotin ions

Mixtures of R₂Sn²⁺ and R₃Sn⁺ compounds can be analysed by titrating their total amount potentiometrically with alkali, and then determining R₂Sn²⁺ in another aliquot by amperometric titration with standard 8-hydroxyquinoline solution. In mixtures of R₂Pb²⁺ and R₃Pb⁺ compounds, dialkyllead ion can be titrated amperometrically with ferrocyanide solution and trialkyllead ions with tetraphenylboron solution. A potentiometric method is described for the determination of small amounts of lead chloride in the presence of any alkyllead chloride.     

Bestimmung von Trialkylbleispecies in Urin

Zusammenfassung Für die Bestimmung von Trialkylbleispecies (Me₃Pb⁺ und Et₃Pb⁺) in Urin wird ein Analysenverfahren vorgestellt, das aus einem Anreicherungsschritt, einer hochdruckflüssigkeits-chromatographischen Trennung und dem Nachweis mit einem chemischen Reaktionsdetektor besteht. Die Anreicherung erfolgt aus der auf pH 10 eingestellten Urinprobe durch Adsorption an Kieselgel. Das Adsorbermaterial wird mit Borat-Puffer und Wasser gewaschen und die Bleispecies mit einem 10% Methanol enthaltenden Acetat-Puffer (pH 3,7) eluiert. Nach Verdünnen und gleichzeitigem Einstellen des Eluats auf pH 8 mit Borat-Puffer wird eine weitere Anreicherung auf einer Nucleosil 10-C₁₈ Vorsäule durchgeführt. Die Vorsäule ist in eine HPLC-Anlage so integriert, daß die Bleispecies durch eine Säulenschaltung im Backflush direkt auf die analytische Säule eluiert, getrennt und mit dem chemischen Reaktionsdetektor nachgewiesen werden können. Die Nachweisgrenzen für das gesamte Analysenverfahren betragen bei einem Probenvolumen von 50 ml Urin 150 pg/ml für Me₃Pb⁺ und 200 pg/ml für Et₃Pb⁺.

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Determination of trialkyllead species in urine

Summary An analytical method has been developed for the determination of trialkyllead species (Me₃Pb⁺ and Et₃Pb⁺) in urine. The procedure consists of an enrichment step, a separation by HPLC, and the detection by a chemical reaction detector. The urine sample is adjusted to pH 10 and the lead species are adsorbed on silica gel, washed with boratebuffer and water, and finally eluted with an acetate-buffer (pH 3.7) containing 10% of methanol. For further enrichment by a pre-column technique the eluate is diluted and simultaneously adjusted to pH 8 by a borate-buffer. This eluate is injected onto a Nucleosil 10-C₁₈ pre-column, which is integrated in a HPLC-system. The lead species are then eluted in a backflush mode onto the analytical column by column-switching. Separation takes place on a RP-C₁₈ stationary phase followed by the detection with an on-line coupled chemical reaction detector. Starting with 50 ml sample volume the limits of detection for the whole analytical procedure are 150 pg/ml for Me₃Pb⁺and 200 pg/ml for Et₃Pb⁺.

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Herrn Prof. Dr. H. Hartkamp zum 60. Geburtstag gewidmet

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Der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft sind wir für die freundliche Unterstützung zu Dank verpflichtet (Ne 176-4).     

Silylium dual catalysis in living polymerization of methacrylates via In situ hydrosilylation of monomer

Silylium ions (“R₃Si⁺”) are found to catalyze both 1,4‐hydrosilylation of methyl methacrylate (MMA) with R₃SiH to generate the silyl ketene acetal initiator in situ and subsequent living polymerization of MMA. The living characteristics of the MMA polymerization initiated by R₃SiH (Et₃SiH or Me₂PhSiH) and catalyzed by [Et₃Si(L)]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]^– (L = toluene), which have been revealed by four sets of experiments, enabled the synthesis of the polymers with well‐controlled M_n values (identical or nearly identical to the calculated ones), narrow molecular weight distributions (? = 1.05–1.09), and well defined chain structures {H? [MMA]_n? H}. The polymerization is highly efficient too, with quantitative or near quantitative initiation efficiencies (I* = 96–100%). Monitoring of the reaction of MMA + Me₂PhSiH + [Et₃Si(L)]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]^– (0.5 mol%) by ¹H NMR provided clear evidence for in situ generation of the corresponding SKA, Me₂C?C(OMe)OSiMe₂Ph, via the proposed “Et₃Si^+”‐catalyzed 1,4‐hydrosilylation of monomer through “frustrated Lewis pair” type activation of the hydrosilane in the form of the isolable silylium‐silane complex, [Et₃Si? H? SiR₃]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]^–. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 1895–1903     

Environmental sources and sinks of alkyllead compounds

Evidence is presented in favour of a natural environmental alkylation process as a source of atmospheric vapour-phase alkyllead. Several species of marine flora have been cultured under laboratory conditions with added doses of inorganic lead, and production of alkyllead, predominantly trimethyllead (Me₃Pb⁺), has been measured. Atmospheric concentrations and ratios of alkyl and inorganic lead at urban, rural and remote sites suggest that differential decay and deposition processes for different species, together with an environmental alkylation source, may explain enhanced ratios of total alkyllead/total lead in maritime air masses.     

Nitridorhenium(V) Complexes with 1,3‐Dialkyl‐4,5‐dimethylimidazole‐2‐ylidenes

The nitridorhenium(V) complexes [ReNCl₂(PR₂Ph)₃] (R = Me, Et) react with the N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHC) 1,3‐diethyl‐4,5‐dimethylimidazole‐5‐ylidene (L^Et) or 1,3,4,5‐tetramethylimidazole‐2‐ylidene (L^Me) in absolutely dry THF under complete replacement of the equatorial coordination sphere. The resulting [ReNCl(L^R)₄]⁺ complexes (L^R = L^Me, L^Et) are moderately stable as solids and in solution, but decompose in hot methanol under formation of [ReO₂(L^R)₄]⁺ complexes. With 1,3‐diisopropyl‐4,5‐dimethylimidazole‐5‐ylidene (L^i‐Pr), the loss of the nitrido ligand and the formation of a dioxo species is more rapid and no nitridorhenium intermediate could be isolated. The Re‐C bond lengths in [ReNCl(L^Et)₄]Cl of approximately 2.195Å are relatively long and indicate mainly σ‐bonding in the electron‐deficient d² system under study. The hydrolysis of the nitrido complexes proceeds via the formation of [ReO₃N]^2? anions as could be verified by the isolation and structural characterization of the intermediates [{ReN(PMe₂Ph)₃}{ReO₃N}]₂ and [{ReN(OH₂)(L^Et)₂}₂O][ReO₃N].     

Trimythyllead chloride dissociation in aqueous and methanolic solutions

The dissociation constants of (CH₃)₃PbCl at 26°C in water and in methanol have been determined to be 0.51 mol/l and 4.65 x 10 ^-4 mol/l, respectively, from the variations of Pb NMR chemical shifts (by INDOR) with concentration. Chemical shifts to (CH₃)₄Pb have been obtained for (CH₃)₃PbCl, for solvated (CH₃)₃Pb⁺, and for a possible dimer [(CH₃)₃PbCl]₂ formed in methanol.     

Reactions of silylium ions with nucleophiles

Transformation of the diethylsilylium cation Et₂Si⁺H into ethyl-and dimethylsilylium ions EtSi⁺H₂ and Me₂Si⁺H in reactions with nucleophiles is induced by electron-donor compounds. Their activity increases in the order Bu₂O < BuOH < (Me₃Si)₂O < C₆H₆ and is determined by the structure of the intermediate adduct and electron density distribution in it. Qualitative estimation shows that the affinity of the tritiated diethylsilylium cation Et₂Si⁺T for a nucleophile increases in the order C₆H₆ < BuOH < Bu₂O < (Me₃Si)₂O. The higher affinity of the Et₂Si⁺H cation for hexamethyldisiloxane compared to dibutyl ether, at similar basicity of the nucleophiles, is attributable to the higher charge of the oxygen atom in (Me₂Si)₂O.     

Neue nitridoverbrückte Dreikernkomplexe des Rheniums

New Trinuclear Rhenium Complexes with Bridging Nitrido Ligands Trinuclear complexes with bridging nitrido ligands between the rhenium atoms are formed when [ReN(Et₂dtc)₂ · (Me₂PhP)] (Et₂dtc^– = N,N‐diethyldithiocarbamate) reacts with TlCl or Pr(O₃SCF₃)₃. [Cl(Me₂PhP)₂(Et₂dtc)Re≡N–Re(N) · Cl₂(Me₂PhP)–N≡Re(Et₂dtc)(Me₂PhP)₂Cl] and [(Et₂dtc)₂ · (Me₂PhP)Re≡N–Re(N)(Et₂dtc)(Me₂PhP)–N≡Re(Me₂PhP) · (Et₂dtc)₂]⁺ contain two almost linear, asymmetric nitrido bridges. Additional, terminal nitrido ligands are located at the middle rhenium atoms.     

An efficient synthesis of 1-cyanoacetyl-5-halomethyl-4,5-dihydro-1<Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis>-pyrazoles in ionic liquid

The synthesis of eleven 1-cyanoacetyl-5-hydroxy-5-halomethyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazoles from the reaction of 4-alkoxy-3-alken-2-ones f(R ³C(O)C(R ²) = C(R ¹)OR, where R ³ = CF₃, CCl₃, CHCl₂, CO₂ Et; R ²/R ¹ = H/H, H/Me, H/Et, -(CH₂)₄-, Me/H, H/Pr, and R = Me, Et) with cyanoacetohydrazide is reported. The reaction was carried out in the ionic liquid ([bmim][BF₄]) and molecular solvents. The results showed that when the ionic liquid was used as reaction medium, the reaction time was drastically decreased and the yield was improved. Correspondence: Marcos A. P. Martins, Núcleo de Química de Heterociclos – NUQUIMHE, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.     

Functionalized Fluorophosphonium Ions

Efforts to prepare an elusive donor-free phosphenium ion, [R₂P]⁺, led us to synthesize functionalized fluorophosphonium cations of the type [R₂P(F)X]⁺ (X=SiEt₃, H, F), which were obtained from the related neutral fluorophosphines R₂PF and R₂PF₃ upon protonation and reaction with solvated [Et₃Si]⁺ ions (R=2,6-Mes₂C₆H₃). The hypothetical reductive elimination of [R₂P(F)SiEt₃]⁺ and [R₂P(F)H]⁺ affording [R₂P]⁺, Et₃SiF and HF, respectively, was calculated to be endothermic by 40.1 and 190.6 kJ mol⁻¹.     

Reactions of platinum(II) complexes with sulfur- and histidine-containing peptides: a model for selective platination of peptides and proteins

The reactions between two monofunctional platinum complexes [Pt(Me₄dien)Cl]⁺ (Me₄dien = 1,1,7,7-tetramethyl-diethylenetriamine) and [Pt(Et₄dien)Cl]⁺ (Et₄dien = 1,1,7,7-tetraethyldiethylenetriamine) and the peptides, N-acetylated L-methionyl-L-histidine (MeCO–Met–His) and glutathione (GSH), have been investigated by ¹H-n.m.r. spectroscopy and u.v.–vis. spectrophotometry. The reactions of the platinum(II) complexes with MeCO–Met–His were carried out at room temperature and at pH 3.0 and 7.0, whereas with GSH the reactions were studied only at pH 3.0. No binding of these two platinum complexes to the sulfur atom of methionine or to nitrogen atoms of histidine residue of MeCO–Met–His was observed during the first 24 h. When the reaction was followed further, after 24 h very slow binding of [Pt(Me₄dien)Cl]⁺ to the N3 nitrogen atom of imidazole was observed. Both platinum complexes react with the sulfur atom of the cysteine residue in GSH. Kinetic data show that GSH reacts twice as fast with [Pt(Me₄dien)Cl]⁺ than with [Pt(Et₄dien)Cl]⁺. Our findings indicate that sterically crowded platinum(II) complexes are only capable of reacting with the sulfhydryl group of the cysteine residue. This influences the design of new platinum(II) complexes for selective covalent modification of peptides and proteins.     

Adsorption phenomena on a mercury electrode in aqueous cryptand[2.2.2] solutions by the background of tetraalkylammonium salts

The electrochemical behavior of cryptand[2.2.2] (Cry) is studied on a mercury electrode in aqueous solutions of tetraalkylammonium tetrafluoroborates (Me₄N⁺, Et₄N⁺, and Bu₄N⁺). Cryptand [2.2.2] is shown to exhibit high surface activity in Me₄ NBF₄ nd Et₄NBF₄ solutions. Based on the model of two parallel capacitors supplemented by the Frumkin adsorption isotherm, the adsorption parameters of Cry by the background of Me₄BNF₄ were calculated using the regression analysis methods. The calculated dependences of the differential capacitance on the potential adequately agree with experimental curves. The adsorption characteristics of Cry in the studied solutions are compared with those in MgSO₄ solutions. By the background of Bu₄NBF₄, Cry molecules and Bu₄N⁺ cations exhibit very close surface activity and form a mixed adsorption layer.     

Über den Einfluß der Substituenten im (R3Si)2(P–Si)R2Cl auf Bildung und Eigenschaften der Hexasila-tetraphosphadantane und deren 31P-NMR-Spektren

The Effect of the Substituents in (R₃Si)₂P–SiR₂Cl on the Formation and the Properties of the Hexasilatetraphospha-adamantanes and their ³¹P-NMR Spectra The thermolysis of (Me₃Si)₂P–SiEt₂Cl 4 at 300°C leads to the silylphosphanes with adamantane structure (Et₂Si)_x(Me₂Si)_6–x (x = 0–6), aside of (Me₃Si)₃P, (Et₂MeSi) (Me₃Si)₂P, (Et₂MeSi)₂(Me₃Si)P and Me₃SiCl, Et₂SiCl, Et₂MeSiCl. Due to the different positions of the Et₂Si-bridges in the adamantane cage the compounds featuring x = 2–4, form isomers. The thermolysis of (Me₃Si)₂P–SiEtMeCl 14 occurs analogously and leads to the adamantanes (EtMeSi)_x (Me₂Si)_6–xP₄ (x = 0–6). The introduction of the SiEtMe group causes the existence of chiralic isomers of the compounds featuring x = 2–6. From (Et₃Si)₂P–SiEt₂Cl 24 (Et₂Si)₆P₄ is obtained. The thermolyses of (Me₃Si)₂P–SiPh₂Cl 25 and [(Me₃Si)P–SiPh₂]₂ do not enable the formation of adamantanes with SiPh₂-bridges. They rather lead to Me- and Ph-substituted trisilylphosphanes. The syntheses of the starting compounds 4, 14, 24 , and 25 are reported. The ³¹P-NMR spectra of silylphosphanes with adamantane structure show, that the linear increase of the ³¹P-chemical shift values as dependent on the rising number of Et groups, which is observed in partially Et-substituted methyltrisilylphosphanes, allows the prediction of the δ³¹P values of the specific P atoms in an adamantane cage, heeding both the position and the direction of the SiEt groups in the particular molecule.     

Effect of the Structure of Phase-Transfer Catalyst on the Rate of Alkaline Hydrolysis of N-Benzyloxycarbonylglycine 4-Nitrophenyl Ester in the System Chloroform-Borate Buffer

Onium salts QZ (Z = Cl, Br) having a lipophilic (Q = R₃NR', where R' = C₁₆H₃₃) or readily extractable (into organic phase) cation (Q = Ph₄P) exhibit a high catalytic activity in phase-transfer alkaline hydrolysis of N-benzyloxycarbonylglycine 4-nitrophenyl ester in the two-phase system chloroform-borate buffer (pH 10). No catalytic effect is observed in the presence of hydrophilic ammonium salts [Et₄NCl, Et₃PhCH₂NCl, Me₂(NH₂)+NCH₂CH₂+N(NH₂)Me₂·2Br^-] and those insoluble in organic solvents [(Me)₃+NNH(CH₂)₂COO^-·2H₂O, Me₂(NH₂)+NCH₂CO^-, Me₂(NH₂)+N(CH₂)₃SO₃ ^-]. These data suggest extraction mechanism of the process. The activity of lipophilic cation Q is determined mainly by two factors: its extractibility, on the one hand, and the ability to form micelles, on the other.     

Magnesium tetraorganyl derivatives of group 13 metals as intermediate products in the synthesis of group 13 metal alkyls and aryls

Reactions of organomagnesium halides with group 13 metal halides lead to the formation of R₃M type compounds (R = alkyl, aryl; M = Al, Ga, In) and are considered as the simplest methods of R₃M compound syntheses. These seemingly simple reactions reveal a much more complex chemistry involving mixed magnesium-group 13 metal compounds. To elucidate the reaction course of reactions of organomagnesium halides with group 13 metal halides, we have studied reactions of R₃M with organomagnesium halides. The interaction of Et₃M with R¹MgX led to the formation of following products being mixtures of crystalline ionic complexes with the general composition of [Et_4-nR¹_nM]⁻[XMg (thf)₅]⁺·(thf): [Et_2.2Al(CH=CH₂)_1.8]⁻[BrMg (thf)₅]⁺·(thf) ( 1 ), [Et₃Ga(CH=CH₂)]⁻[BrMg (thf)₅]⁺·(thf) ( 2 ), [Et₄Al]⁻[BrMg (thf)₅]⁺·(thf) ( 3 ), [Et₄Ga]⁻[BrMg (thf)₅]⁺·(thf) ( 4 ), [Et_2.9Al(C₆H₅)_1.1]⁻[BrMg (thf)₅]⁺·(thf) ( 5 ), [Et_2.9Ga(C₆H₅)_1.1]⁻[BrMg (thf)₅]⁺·(thf) ( 6 ), [Et_3.4GaMe_0.6]⁻[IMg (thf)₅]⁺·(thf) ( 7 ) and [Et₄In]⁻[BrMg (thf)₅]⁺·(thf) ( 8 ). A comparison of the production course of group 13 metal trialkyls R₃M with a thermal decomposition of 1–8 products showed that reactions of MX₃ with RMgX (X = Br, I; R = alkyl, aryl) yield initially intermediate ionic compounds, which must then be thermally decomposed to obtain pure R₃M compounds. If group 13 metal bromides and iodides, and alkyl (aryl)magnesium bromides and iodides in thf are used, only intermediate products with the [R₄M]⁻[XMg (thf)₅]⁺·(thf) structure are formed.     

Die Kristallstrukturen einer Serie von Verbindungen mit Kationen des Typs [R3PNH2]+, [R3PN(H)SiMe3]+ und [R3PN(SiMe3)2]+

Crystal Structures of a Series of Compounds with Cations of the Type [R₃PNH₂]⁺, [R₃PN(H)SiMe₃]⁺, and [R₃PN(SiMe₃)₂]⁺ The crystal structures of a series of compounds with cations of the type [R₃PNH₂]⁺, [R₃PN(H)SiMe₃]⁺, and [R₃PN(SiMe₃)₂]⁺, in which R represents various organic residues, are determined by means of X‐ray structure analyses at single crystals. The disilylated compounds [Me₃PN(SiMe₃)₂]⁺I^–, [Et₃PN(SiMe₃)₂]⁺I^–, and [Ph₃PN(SiMe₃)₂]⁺I₃^– are prepared from the corresponding silylated phosphaneimines R₃PNSiMe₃ with Me₃SiI. [Me₃PNH₂]Cl (1): Space group P2₁/n, Z = 4, lattice dimensions at –71 °C: a = 686.6(1), b = 938.8(1), c = 1124.3(1) pm; β = 103.31(1)°; R = 0.0239. [Et₃PNH₂]Cl (2): Space group Pbca, Z = 8, lattice dimensions at –50 °C: a = 1272.0(2), b = 1147.2(2), c = 1302.0(3) pm; R = 0.0419. [Et₃PNH₂]I (3): Space group P2₁2₁2₁, Z = 4, lattice dimensions at –50 °C: a = 712.1(1), b = 1233.3(2), c = 1257.1(2) pm; R = 0.0576. [Et₃PNH₂]₂[B₁₀H₁₀] (4): Space group P2₁/n, Z = 4, lattice dimensions at –50 °C: a = 809.3(1), b = 1703.6(1), c = 1800.1(1) pm; β = 96.34(1)°; R = 0.0533. [Ph₃PNH₂]ICl₂ (5): Space group P1, Z = 2, lattice dimensions at –60 °C: a = 825.3(3), b = 1086.4(3), c = 1241.2(4) pm; α = 114.12(2)°, β = 104.50(2)°, γ = 93.21(2)°; R = 0.0644. In the compounds 1–5 the cations are connected with their anions via hydrogen bonds of the NH₂ groups with 1–3 forming zigzag chains. [Me₃PN(H)SiMe₃][O₃S–CF₃] (6): Space group P2₁/c, Z = 8, lattice dimensions at –83 °C: a = 1777.1(1), b = 1173.6(1), c = 1611.4(1) pm; β = 115.389(6)°; R = 0.0332. [Et₃PN(H)SiMe₃]I (7): Space group P2₁/n, Z = 4, lattice dimensions at –70 °C: a = 1360.2(1), b = 874.2(1), c = 1462.1(1) pm; β = 115.19(1)°; R = 0.066. In 6 and 7 the cations form ion pairs with their anions via NH … X hydrogen bonds. [Me₃PN(SiMe₃)₂]I (8): Space group P2₁/c, Z = 8, lattice dimensions at –60 °C: a = 1925.4(9), b = 1269.1(1), c = 1507.3(4); β = 111.79(3)°; R = 0.0581. [Et₃PN(SiMe₃)₂]I (9): Space group Pbcn, Z = 8, lattice dimensions at –50 °C: a = 2554.0(2), b = 1322.3(1), c = 1165.3(2) pm; R = 0.037. [Ph₃PN(SiMe₃)₂]I₃ (10): Space group P2₁, Z = 2, lattice dimensions at –50 °C: a = 947.7(1), b = 1047.6(1), c = 1601.6(4) pm; β = 105.96(1)°; R = 0.0334. 8 to 10 are built up from separated ions.     

A homoleptic SPS-based complex and a double-cubane-type sulfur cluster of an actinide element

Treatment of UI₃(THF)₄ with [M(Et₂O)][SPS^Me] (M = Li, K; [SPS^Me]⁻ = 1-methyl-2,6-bis(diphenylphosphine sulfide)-3,5-diphenylphosphinine anion) gave the cationic tris SPS complex [U(SPS^Me)₃]I (1). Similar reaction of U(BH₄)₃(THF)₃ and [M(Et₂O)][SPS^Me] afforded, in addition to the [U(SPS)₃]⁺ cation, crystals of the sulfido complex [U{(μ₃-S)₄U₃(SPS^Me)₃(BH₄)₃}₂] (2). The metal environment in 1 is a tricapped trigonal prism and the core of the heptanuclear cluster 2 is a corner-shared double-cubane.     

Complexation of (trimethylphosphine)gold(I) with Selenones

Mixed ligand complexes of gold(I) with various selenones and Me₃P, [Me₃PAuSe=C<]Cl, have been prepared and characterized by elemental analyses, i.r. and n.m.r. methods. A decrease in the i.r. frequency of the >C=Se mode of selenones upon complexation is indicative of selenone binding to gold(I) via a selenone group. An upfield shift in ¹³C-n.m.r. for the >C=Se resonance of selenones and downfield shifts in ³¹P-n.m.r. for Me₃P moiety are consistent with the selenium coordination to gold(I). The steric effect as well as the basicity of Me₃PAu⁺ plays a significant role in bonding with Se-containing ligands compared to the Et₃PAu⁺ and Ph₃PAu⁺ complexes.     

The toxic effects of organometals on the lands cycle in HL-60 cells

The concentration of free fatty acids within cells is mainly dependent upon the following enzyme activities: liberation by phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂), activation of free acids by acyl-CoA-synthetase and re-esterification by lysophospholipid acyltransferase (LAT). In many cell types, especially those of the haematopeotic system, this deacylation-reacylation cycle (‘Lands cycle’) plays an important role in the regulation of free fatty acid concentration, above all that of arachidonic acid. We have shown here that heavy-metal compounds affect this cycle mainly at two points and thereby lead to an increase of free fatty acids. On the one hand, organometals cause an inhibition of the reacylation of lysophospholipids; and on the other, the induction of PLA₂ activity produces the same result. All compounds investigated such as methylmercury chloride (MeHgCl), diethyltriethyl-, and trimethyl-lead chloride (Et₂PbCl₂, Et₃PbCl, Me₃PbCl) as well as trimethyltin chloride (Et₃SnCl) and di-t-butyltin dichloride (t-Bu₂SnCl₂) show at least one of these effects. In the case of Et₃PbCl, the use of PLA₂-inhibitors or pertussis toxin causes a drastic decrease in the amount of arachidonic acid liberated. These experiments demonstrate that the organometallic compounds inhibit the reacylation and/or stimulate the deacylation of fatty acids that are involved in many important biological or pathological mechanisms. The results suggest that in differentiated HL-60 cells the organometal compounds stimulate the Lands cycle by increasing the activity of the PLA₂, possibly via a signal-transduction mechanism, and this effect is intensified via an inhibition of reesterification.