Thermodynamic properties of weak acids involved in enzyme-catalyzed reactions

Measurements of apparent equilibrium constants and transformed enthalpies of enzyme-catalyzed reactions are making it possible to obtain delta(f)G degrees and delta(f)H degrees of species of biochemical reactants in dilute aqueous solution that could never have been determined classically. This article is concerned with the pKs that determine the pH dependencies of the standard transformed thermodynamic properties of biochemical reactants. The database BasicBiochemData3 makes it possible to calculate 82 pKs of 60 reactants as functions of ionic strength at 298.15 K. Standard enthalpies of formation of all the species are known for 27 of these reactants, and so their pKs can be calculated as functions of temperature and ionic strength. This article also presents calculations of delta(r)G degrees, delta(r)H degrees, and delta(r)S degrees at 298.15 K and three ionic strengths for the 42 pKs of these 27 reactants.     

Calculation of thermodynamic properties of species of biochemical reactants using the inverse Legendre transform

The determination of apparent equilibrium constants and heats of enzyme-catalyzed reactions provides a way to determine Delta(f)G degrees and Delta(f)H degrees of species of biochemical reactants. These calculations are more difficult than the calculation of transformed thermodynamic properties from species properties, and they are an application of the inverse Legendre transform. The Delta(f)G degrees values of species of a reactant can be calculated from an apparent equilibrium constant if the Delta(f)G degrees values are known for all the species of all the other reactants and the pKs of the reactant of interest are known. The Delta(f)H degrees of species of a reactant can be calculated from the heat of reaction if the Delta(f)H degrees values are known for all species of the other reactants and Delta(f)G degrees values are known for all species in the reaction. The standard enthalpies of acid dissociation of the reactant of interest are also needed. The inverse Legendre transformation is accomplished by using computer programs to set up the simultaneous equations that involve the Delta(f)H degrees of the species and solving them. Thirty two new species matrixes providing Delta(f)G degrees values and eight new species matrixes providing Delta(f)H degrees values are calculated. It is the specificity and speed of enzyme-catalyzed reactions that make it possible to determine standard thermodynamic properties of complicated species in aqueous solution that could never have been obtained classically.     

Calculation of equilibrium compositions of systems of enzyme-catalyzed reactions

When a system of enzyme-catalyzed reactions does not involve H(2)O as a reactant, the equilibrium composition at specified temperature, pH, and ionic strength can be calculated using the Mathematica programs equcalcc, which uses the conservation matrix, or equcalcrx, which uses the stoichiometric number matrix. When H(2)O is involved as a reactant, equcalcrx must be used because H(2)O is not in the stoichiometric number matrix. It is shown here that the use of equcalcrx is equivalent to using the further transformed Gibbs energy G" that eliminates oxygen from the conservation matrix. Calculations presented here show that the calculation of further transformed Gibbs energies of formation of reactants other than coenzymes can be avoided by using equcalcrx to calculate equilibrium concentrations.     

Interaction of l-malic acid with alkaline metals and open chain polyammonium cations in aqueous solution

This work reports a potentiometric, calorimetric and spectropolarimetric ultraviolet circular dichroism (UV/CD) study of the interaction of l-malic acid with alkaline metals or (poly)ammonium (methylamine, ethylenediamine, diethylenetriamine, triethylenetetramine, spermine, tetraethylenepentamine and pentaethylenehexamine) cations. Stability data (logK, DeltaG(0)) were obtained potentiometrically for the l-malic acid with (poly)ammonium cations systems; calorimetric measurements (25 degrees C) made it possible to obtain DeltaH(0) and TDeltaS(0) values for the complexes formed in the systems under examination. logK values calculated (for the reaction: H(i)A(i+)+H(j)L((j-z))=ALH(r)((i+j-z)), with r=i+j) range between 0.8 and 4.6, i.e., the interactions are from weak to fairly strong while maximum stability for each system is given by the species with the highest z(anion)xz(cation) (z=charge) value. Enthalpy changes associated with reactions H(n)A(n+)+L(2-)=ALH(n)((n-2)) and H(n)A(n+)+HL(-)=ALH(n+1)((n-1)) are always positive and increase progressively with n. The same is valid for T DeltaS(0) values, which indicate that these species are entropically stabilized, as expected for electrostatic interactions. It was verified that the UV/CD signal depends on both ionic medium and ionic strength value; for comparison, we used the l-malic acid signal recorded in tetramethylammonium chloride as baseline background salt (as in potentiometry). UV/CD spectra were recorded for solutions containing both cationic and anionic species. When the cation was a protonated polyamine, CD spectra calculations were performed for most stable ion pairs: the results show remarkable differences in Deltaepsilon (dm(3) mol(-1) cm(-1)) values at 205 nm (which is the l-malate UV/CD lambda(max)) between the chiral ligand and its complex with a polyamine.     

Deuterium kinetic isotope effects in microsolvated gas-phase E2 reactions

This work describes the first experimental studies of deuterium kinetic isotope effects (KIEs) for the gas-phase E2 reactions of microsolvated systems. The reactions of F(-)(H(2)O)(n) and OH(-)(H(2)O)(n), where n = 0, 1, with (CH(3))(3)CX (X = Cl, Br), as well as the deuterated analogs of the ionic and neutral reactants, were studied utilizing the flowing afterglow-selected ion flow tube technique. The E2 reactivity is found to decrease with solvation. Small, normal kinetic isotope effects are observed for the deuteration of the alkyl halide, while moderately inverse kinetic isotope effects are observed for the deuteration of the solvent. Minimal clustering of the product ions is observed, but there are intriguing differences in the nature and extent of the clustering process. Electronic structure calculations of the transition states provide qualitative insight into these microsolvated E2 reactions.     

Influence of DNA on the rate of ligand substitution in platinum(II) terpyridine complexes

The kinetics of substitution of pyridine or 2-methylpyridine, by iodide or thiourea, in the complexes [Pt(4'-R'terpy)(2-Rpy)](BF4)2 (R' = o-tolyl or H; R = H or CH3) has been studied, at 25 degrees C, pH 7, and various ionic strength values, in the presence of and without calf thymus DNA. The reactions occur in one observable step, and plots of kobsd against nucleophile concentration give straight lines with zero intercepts. DNA inhibits all the reactions studied without altering the rate law; the second-order rate constants k2 decrease systematically on increasing DNA concentration and are larger at higher ionic strength values. Partitioning of the ionic reactants in solution on electrostatic grounds can account for this kinetic effect in the reaction with iodide. Iodide is kept off the double helix proximity while the dicationic complexes concentrate on it. The inhibiting effect observed for the uncharged reagent thiourea can be related to the specific binding mode of the complexes to DNA. The complexes studied are effective intercalators to double helix, and this type of interaction, which prevents attack of thiourea at platinum, decreases their actual concentration in solution. The inhibiting effect is larger for [Pt(terpy)(py)]2+ that is a better intercalator. Likewise, the decrease in the rate of substitution of 2-Rpy, at a given [DNA] on decreasing ionic strength, is due to the influence of ionic strength on the complex-DNA interactions.     

Mixed-valence nickel-iron dithiolate models of the [NiFe]-hydrogenase active site

A series of mixed-valence nickel-iron dithiolates is described. Oxidation of (diphosphine)Ni(dithiolate)Fe(CO)(3) complexes 1, 2, and 3 with ferrocenium salts affords the corresponding tricarbonyl cations [(dppe)Ni(pdt)Fe(CO)(3)](+) ([1](+)), [(dppe)Ni(edt)Fe(CO)(3)](+) ([2](+)) and [(dcpe)Ni(pdt)Fe(CO)(3)](+) ([3](+)), respectively, where dppe = Ph(2)PCH(2)CH(2)PPh(2), dcpe = Cy(2)PCH(2)CH(2)PCy(2), (Cy = cyclohexyl), pdtH(2) = HSCH(2)CH(2)CH(2)SH, and edtH(2) = HSCH(2)CH(2)SH. The cation [2](+) proved unstable, but the propanedithiolates are robust. IR and EPR spectroscopic measurements indicate that these species exist as C(s)-symmetric species. Crystallographic characterization of [3]BF(4) shows that Ni is square planar. Interaction of [1]BF(4) with P-donor ligands (L) afforded a series of substituted derivatives of type [(dppe)Ni(pdt)Fe(CO)(2)L]BF(4) for L = P(OPh)(3) ([4a]BF(4)), P(p-C(6)H(4)Cl)(3) ([4b]BF(4)), PPh(2)(2-py) ([4c]BF(4)), PPh(2)(OEt) ([4d]BF(4)), PPh(3) ([4e]BF(4)), PPh(2)(o-C(6)H(4)OMe) ([4f]BF(4)), PPh(2)(o-C(6)H(4)OCH(2)OMe) ([4g]BF(4)), P(p-tol)(3) ([4h]BF(4)), P(p-C(6)H(4)OMe)(3) ([4i]BF(4)), and PMePh(2) ([4j]BF(4)). EPR analysis indicates that ethanedithiolate [2](+) exists as a single species at 110 K, whereas the propanedithiolate cations exist as a mixture of two conformers, which are proposed to be related through a flip of the chelate ring. M?ssbauer spectra of 1 and oxidized S = 1/2 [4e]BF(4) are both consistent with a low-spin Fe(I) state. The hyperfine coupling tensor of [4e]BF(4) has a small isotropic component and significant anisotropy. DFT calculations using the BP86, B3LYP, and PBE0 exchange-correlation functionals agree with the structural and spectroscopic data, suggesting that the SOMOs in complexes of the present type are localized in an Fe(I)-centered d(z(2)) orbital. The DFT calculations allow an assignment of oxidation states of the metals and rationalization of the conformers detected by EPR spectroscopy. Treatment of [1](+) with CN(-) and compact basic phosphines results in complex reactions. With dppe, [1](+) undergoes quasi-disproportionation to give 1 and the diamagnetic complex [(dppe)Ni(pdt)Fe(CO)(2)(dppe)](2+) ([5](2+)), which features square-planar Ni linked to an octahedral Fe center.     

Reverse proteolysis promoted by in situ generated peptide ester fragments

In this contribution we describe a general synthesis concept for the in situ preparation of protease specific reactants using methyl thioesters as universal precursors. The precursor esters are readily available by standard synthesis procedures and can be used directly as reactants for protease-mediated peptide coupling reactions. Alternatively, they can serve as initial building blocks for the in situ preparation of various types of substrate mimetics. The synthesis of the latter is achieved by a one-pot spontaneous transthioesterification reaction of the parent thioester (Y-(Xaa)(n)-SMe-->Y-(Xaa)(n)-SR; R: CH(2)CH(2)COOH, CH(2)C(6)H(5), C(6)H(4)NHC(:NH)NH(2)), which proceeds efficiently in both a sequential manner and parallel to the subsequent enzymatic reaction. The resulting substrate mimetics act as efficient acyl donor components and show the typical behavior of substrate mimicry enabling irreversible reactions with originally nonspecific acyl moieties. Neither a workup of the substrate mimetic intermediate nor changes of the reaction conditions during the whole synthesis process are required. Model peptide syntheses using trypsin, alpha-chymotrypsin, and V8 protease as the biocatalysts proved the function of the approach and illustrated its synthetic value for protease-mediated reactions and the compatibility of the approach with state-of-the-art solid-phase peptide ester synthesis methods.     

Lattice potential energy estimation for complex ionic salts from density measurements

This paper is one of a series exploring simple approaches for the estimation of lattice energy of ionic materials, avoiding elaborate computation. The readily accessible, frequently reported, and easily measurable (requiring only small quantities of inorganic material) property of density, rho(m), is related, as a rectilinear function of the form (rho(m)/M(m))(1/3), to the lattice energy U(POT) of ionic materials, where M(m) is the chemical formula mass. Dependence on the cube root is particularly advantageous because this considerably lowers the effects of any experimental errors in the density measurement used. The relationship that is developed arises from the dependence (previously reported in Jenkins, H. D. B.; Roobottom, H. K.; Passmore, J.; Glasser, L. Inorg. Chem. 1999, 38, 3609) of lattice energy on the inverse cube root of the molar volume. These latest equations have the form U(POT)/kJ mol(-1) = gamma(rho(m)/M(m))(1/3) + delta, where for the simpler salts (i.e., U(POT)/kJ mol(-1) < 5000 kJ mol(-1)), gamma and delta are coefficients dependent upon the stoichiometry of the inorganic material, and for materials for which U(POT)/kJ mol(-1) > 5000, gamma/kJ mol(-1) cm = 10(-7) AI(2IN(A))(1/3) and delta/kJ mol(-1) = 0 where A is the general electrostatic conversion factor (A = 121.4 kJ mol(-1)), I is the ionic strength = 1/2 the sum of n(i)z(i)(2), and N(A) is Avogadro's constant.     

Kinetic studies of reactions of the nitrate radical (NO3) with peroxy radicals (RO2): an indirect source of OH at night?

A discharge-flow system, coupled to cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy (CEAS) detection systems for NO3 at lambda=662 nm and NO2 at lambda=404 nm, was used to investigate the kinetics of the reactions of NO3 with eight peroxy radicals at P approximately 5 Torr and T approximately 295 K. Values of the rate constants obtained were (k/10(-12) cm3 molecule-1 s-1): CH3O2 (1.1+/-0.5), C2H5O2 (2.3+/-0.7), CH2FO2 (1.4+/-0.9), CH2ClO2 (3.8(+1.4)(-2.6)), c-C5H9O2 (1.2(+1.1)(-0.5)), c-C6H11O2 (1.9+/-0.7), CF3O2 (0.62+/-0.17) and CF3CFO2CF3 (0.24+/-0.13). We explore possible relationships between k and the orbital energies of the reactants. We also provide a brief discussion of the potential impact of the reactions of NO3 with RO2 on the chemistry of the night-time atmosphere.     

A stable two-coordinate acyclic silylene

Simple two-coordinate acyclic silylenes, SiR(2), have hitherto been identified only as transient intermediates or thermally labile species. By making use of the strong σ-donor properties and high steric loading of the B(NDippCH)(2) substituent (Dipp = 2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3)), an isolable monomeric species, Si{B(NDippCH)(2)}{N(SiMe(3))Dipp}, can be synthesized which is stable in the solid state up to 130 °C. This silylene species undergoes facile oxidative addition reactions with dihydrogen (at sub-ambient temperatures) and with alkyl C-H bonds, consistent with a low singlet-triplet gap (103.9 kJ mol(-1)), thus demonstrating fundamental modes of reactivity more characteristic of transition metal systems.     

Is the hypothiocyanite anion (OSCN)- the major product in the peroxidase catalyzed oxidation of the thiocyanate anion (SCN)-? A joint experimental and theoretical study

The hypothiocyanate anion (OSCN)(-) is reported to be a major product of the lactoperoxidase/H(2)O(2)/(SCN)(-) system, and this anion is proposed to have significant antimicrobial properties. The collision induced (CID) negative ion mass spectrum of "(OSCN)(-)" has been reported: there is a pronounced parent anion at m/z 74, together with fragment anions at m/z 58 (SCN)(-) and 26 (CN)(-). These fragment anions are consistent with structure (OSCN)(-). However there is also a lesser peak at m/z 42 (OCN(-) or CNO(-)) in this spectrum which is either formed by rearrangement of (OSCN)(-) or from an isomer of this anion. The current theoretical investigation of (OSCN)(-) and related isomers, together with the study of possible rearrangements of these anions, indicates that ground-state singlet (OSCN)(-) is a stable species and that isomerization is unlikely. The three anions (OSCN)(-), (SCNO)(-), and (SNCO)(-) have been synthesized (in the ion source of a mass spectrometer) by unequivocal routes, and their structures have been confirmed by a consideration of their collision induced (negative ion) and charge reversal (positive ion) mass spectra. The CID mass spectrum of (SCNO)(-) shows formation of m/z 42 (CNO(-)), but the corresponding spectra of (OSCN)(-) or (SNCO)(-) lack peaks at m/z 42. Combined theoretical and experimental data support earlier evidence that the hypothiocyanite anion is a major oxidation product of the H(2)O(2)/(SCN)(-) system. However, the formation of m/z 42 in the reported CID spectrum of "(OSCN)(-)" does not originate from (OSCN)(-) but from another isomer, possibly (SCNO)(-).     

Structure, formation, and dynamics of Mo(12) and Mo(16) oxothiomolybdenum rings containing terephtalate derivatives

The influence of rigid or semirigid dicarboxylate anions, terephtalate (TerP(2-)), isophtalate (IsoP(2-)), and phenylenediacetate (PDA(2-)) on the self-condensation process of the [Mo(2)O(2)S(2)](2+) dioxothio cation has been investigated. Three new molybdenum rings, [Mo(12)O(12)S(12)(OH)(12)(TerP)](2-) ([Mo(12)TerP](2-)), [Mo(16)O(16)S(16)(OH)(16)(H(2)O)(4)(PDA)(2)](4-) ([Mo(16)(PDA)(2)](4-)), and [Mo(16)O(16)S(16)(OH)(16)(H(2)O)(2)(IsoP)(2)](4-) ([Mo(16)(IsoP)(2)](4-)) have been isolated and unambiguously characterized in the solid state by single-crystal X-ray studies and in solution by various NMR methods and especially by diffusion-correlated NMR ((1)H DOSY) spectroscopy, which was shown to be a powerful tool for the characterization and speciation of templated molybdenum ring systems in solution. Characterization by FT-IR and elemental analysis are also reported. The dynamic and thermodynamic properties of both the sixteen-membered rings were studied in aqueous medium. Specific and distinct behaviors were revealed for each system. The IsoP(2-)/[Mo(2)O(2)S(2)](2+) system gave rise to equilibrium, involving mono-templated [Mo(12)IsoP](2-) and bis-templated [Mo(16)(IsoP)(2)](4-) ions. Thermodynamic parameters have been determined and showed that the driving-force for the formation of the [Mo(16)(IsoP)(2)](4-) is entropically governed. However, whatever the conditions (temperature, proportion of reactants), the PDA(2-)/[Mo(2)O(2)S(2)](2+) system led only to a single compound, the [Mo(16)(PDA)(2)](4-) ion. The latter exhibits dynamic behavior, consistent with the gliding of both the stacked aromatic groups. Stability and dynamics of both Mo(16) rings was related to weak hydrophobic or pi-pi stacking inter-template interactions and inner hydrogen-bond network occurring within the [Mo(16)(IsoP)(2)](4-) and [Mo(16)(PDA)(2)](4-) ions.     

Isomerization of the protonated acetone dimer in the gas phase

Mass spectrometry-based methods have been employed in order to study the reactions of non- (h(6)/h(6)), half (d(6)/h(6)), and fully (d(6)/d(6)) deuterium labeled protonated dimers of acetone in the gas phase. Neither kinetic nor thermodynamic isotope effects were found. From MIKES experiments (both spontaneous and collision-induced dissociations), it was found that the relative ion yield (m/z 65 vs m/z 59) from the dissociation reaction of half deuterium labeled (d(6)/h(6)) protonated dimer of acetone is dependent on the internal energy. A relative ion yield (m/z 65 vs m/z 59) close to unity is observed for cold, nonactivated, metastable ions, whereas the ion yield is observed to increase (favoring m/z 65) when the pressure of the collision gas is increased. This is in striking contrast to what would be expected if a kinetic isotope effect were present. A combined study of the kinetics and the thermodynamics of the association reaction between acetone and protonated acetone implicates the presence of at least two isomeric adducts. We have employed G3(MP2) theory to map the potential energy surface leading from the reactants, acetone and protonated acetone, to the various isomeric adducts. The proton-bound dimer of acetone was found to be the lowest-energy isomer, and protonated diacetone alcohol the next lowest-energy isomer. Protonated diacetone alcohol, even though it is an isomer hidden behind many barriers, can possibly account for the observed relative ion yield and its dependence on the mode of activation.     

Evaluation of [Co(gly)3]- as a 35Cl- NMR shift reagent for cellular studies

We studied the efficacy of the tris-glycinatocobaltate(II) complex ([Co(gly)(3)](-)) as a shift reagent (SR) for chloride by (35)Cl NMR spectroscopy and compared to that of Co(2+)((aq)). Due to the relatively low thermodynamic stability of [Co(gly)(3)](-), a 1:3 Co(II)/gly stoichiometric solution at physiological pH is approximately a 2:1 mixture of [Co(gly)(2)(H(2)O)(2)] and [Co(gly)(H(2)O)(4)](+). This SR was found to be stable up to higher pH values than Co(2+)((aq)), better preventing Co(OH)(2) formation at alkaline pH. No significant differences in the (35)Cl(-) NMR chemical shift induced by Co(II)/gly or Co(2+)((aq)) were observed in the presence of physiological concentrations of either Ca(2+) or Mg(2+), or of either Na(+) or K(+). Although Co(2+)((aq)) was almost twice as effective as Co(II)/gly in shifting the (35)Cl(-) NMR resonance at the same high rho ([SR]/[Cl(-)]) value and low ionic strength, Co(2+)((aq)) showed a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the (35)Cl(-) chemical shift at higher ionic strength. Line widths at half-height were significantly (p < 0.05) less for Co(II)/gly than for Co(2+)((aq)) at rho values in the range 0.066-0.40. Intracellular chloride was clearly detectable by (35)Cl NMR spectroscopy in human skin fibroblast cells suspended in medium containing 40 mM Co(II)/gly SR. We determined that, although Co(2+)((aq)) provides a larger shift than Co(II)/gly at the same rho value, there are significant advantages for using Co(II)/gly, such as pH stability, ionic strength independent chemical shifts, narrow (35)Cl(-) NMR resonances, and reduced cellular toxicity, as a SR in biological systems.     

Copper(I) complexes with trispyrazolylmethane ligands: synthesis, characterization, and catalytic activity in cross-coupling reactions

Three novel Cu(I) complexes bearing tris(pyrazolyl)methane ligands, Tpm(x), have been prepared from reactions of equimolar amounts of CuI and the ligands Tpm, (HC(pz)(3)), Tpm*, (HC(3,5-Me(2)-pz)(3)), and Tpm(Ms), (HC(3-Ms-pz)(3)). X-ray diffraction studies have shown that the Tpm and Tpm(Ms) derivatives exhibit a 2:1 Cu:ligand ratio, whereas the Tpm* complex is a mononuclear species in nature. The latter has been employed as a precatalyst in the arylation of amides and aromatic thiols with good activity. The synthesis of a Tpm*Cu(I)-phthalimidate, a feasible intermediate in this catalytic process, has also been performed. Low temperature (1)H NMR studies in CDCl(3) have indicated that this complex exists in solution as a mixture of two, neutral and ionic forms. Conductivity measurements have reinforced this proposal, the ionic form predominating in a very polar solvent such as DMSO. The reaction of Tpm*Cu(I)-phthalimidate with iodobenzene afforded the expected C-N coupling product in 76% yield accounting for its role as an intermediate in this transformation.     

Investigations on the interaction of dichloroaluminum carboxylates with Lewis bases and water: an efficient road toward oxo- and hydroxoaluminum carboxylate complexes

A series of dichloroaluminum carboxylates [Cl(2)Al(O(2)CR)](2) (were R = Ph (1a), (t)Bu (1b), CHCH(2) (1c) and C(11)H(23) (1d)) were prepared and extended investigations on their structure and reactivity toward various Lewis bases and H(2)O performed. Compounds [Cl(2)Al(O(2)CR)](2) and their adducts with Lewis bases show a large structural variety, featuring both molecular and ionic forms with different coordination numbers of the metal center and various coordination modes of the carboxylate ligand. Upon addition of a Lewis base of moderate strength the molecular form [Cl(2)Al(O(2)CR)](2) equilibrates with new ionic forms. In the presences of 4-methylpyridine the six-coordinate Lewis acid-base adducts [Cl(2)Al(λ(2)-O(2)CR)(py-Me)(2)] [R = Ph (3a), (t)Bu (3b)] with a chelating carboxylate ligand were formed. The reactions of 1a, 1b, and 1d with 0.33 equiv of H(2)O in THF-toluene solution lead to oxo carboxylates [(Al(3)O)(O(2)CR)(6)(THF)(3)] [AlCl(4)] [where R = Ph (4a(THF)), (t)Bu (4b(THF)), and C(11)H(23) (4d(THF))] in high yield. The similar reaction of 1c in tetrahydrofuran (THF) afforded the chloro(hydroxo)aluminum acrylate [(ClAl)(2)(OH)(O(2)CC(2)H(3))(2) (THF)(4)][AlCl(4)] (5), while the hydrolysis of 1b in MeCN lead to the hydroxoaluminum carboxylate [Al(2)(OH)(O(2)C(t)Bu)(2)(MeCN)(6)][AlCl(4))(3)] (6). All compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, (1)H, (27)Al NMR, and IR spectroscopy, and the molecular structure of 1a, 3a, 3b, 4a(THF), 4b(THF), 4b(py-Me'), 5, and 6 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The study provides a platform for testing transformations of secondary building units in Al-Metal-Organic Frameworks toward H(2)O and neutral donor ligands.     

Thermodynamic study on the complexation of Am(III) and Eu(III) with tetradentate nitrogen ligands: a probe of complex species and reactions in aqueous solution

A thermodynamic investigation has been performed to study the complexation of trivalent metal (M) ions (M = Am(III), Eu(III)) with tetradentate ligands (L), 6,6'-bis(5,6-dialkyl-1,2,4-triazin-3-yl)-2,2'-bipyridines (BTBPs), by using relativistic quantum mechanical calculations. The structures and stabilities of the inner-sphere BTBPs complexes were explored in the presence of various counterions such as NO(3)(-), Cl(-), and ClO(4)(-). According to our calculations, Am(III) and Eu(III) can chelate eight or nine water molecules at most, whereas more stable species like M(NO(3))(3)(H(2)O)(4) tend to be formed in the presence of nitrate ions. The inner sphere of the BTBPs complexes can accommodate four water molecules or three nitrate ions based on our calculations, forming species such as [ML(H(2)O)(4)](3+) and ML(NO(3))(3). Compared with Eu(III) complexes, the Am(III) counterparts have obviously lower binding energies in both the gas phase and solution. In addition, the solvent effect significantly decreases the binding energies of the BTBPs complexes. It has been found that the complexing reactions, in which products and reactants possess the same or close number of nitrate ions, are more favorable for formation of the BTBPs complexes. In short, the reactions of M(NO(3))(3)(H(2)O)(4) → ML(NO(3))(3) and [M(NO(3))(H(2)O)(7)](2+) → [ML(2)(NO(3))](2+) are probably the dominant ones in the Am(III)/Eu(III) separation process.     

Copper(I)-dioxygen reactivity of [(L)Cu(I)](+) (L = tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine): kinetic/thermodynamic and spectroscopic studies concerning the formation of Cu-O2 and Cu2-O2 adducts as a function of solvent medium and 4-pyridyl ligand substituent variations

The kinetic and thermodynamic behavior of O(2)-binding to Cu(I) complexes can provide fundamental understanding of copper(I)/dioxygen chemistry, which is of interest in chemical and biological systems. Here we report stopped-flow kinetic investigations of the oxygenation reactions of a series of tetradentate copper(I) complexes [(L(R))Cu(I)(MeCN)](+) (1(R), R=H, Me, tBu, MeO, Me(2)N) in propionitrile (EtCN), tetrahydrofuran (THF), and acetone. The syntheses of 4-pyridyl substituted tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine ligands (L(R)) and copper(I) complexes are detailed. Variations of ligand electronic properties are manifested in the electrochemistry of 1(R) and nu(CO) of [(L(R))Cu(I)-CO](+) complexes. The kinetic studies in EtCN and THF show that the O(2)-reactions of 1(R) follow the reaction mechanism established for oxygenation of 1(H) in EtCN (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1993, 115, 9506), involving reversible formation (k(1)/k(-1)) of [(L(R))Cu(II)(O(2-))](+) (2(R)), which further reacts (k(2)/k(-2)) with 1(R) to form the 2:1 Cu(2)O(2) complex [[(L(R))Cu(II)](2)(O(2)(2-))](2+) (3(R)). In EtCN, the rate constants for formation of 2(R) (k(1)) are not dramatically affected by the ligand electronic variations. For R = Me and tBu, the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters are very similar to those of the parent complex (1(H)); e.g., k(1) is in the range 1.2 x 10(4) to 3.1 x 10(4) M(-1) s(-1) at 183 K. With the stronger donors R = MeO and Me(2)N, more significant effects were observed, with the expected increase in thermodynamic stability of resultant 2(R) and 3(R) complexes, and decreased dissociation rates. The modest ligand electronic effects manifested in EtCN are due to the competitive binding of solvent and dioxygen to the copper centers. In THF, a weakly coordinating solvent, the formation rate for 2(H) is much faster (>/=100 times) than that in EtCN, and the thermodynamic stabilities of both the 1:1 (K(1)) and 2:1 (beta = K(1)K(2)) copper-dioxygen species are much higher than those in EtCN (e.g., for 2(H), deltaH(o) (K(1))=-41 kJ mol(-1) in THF versus -29.8 kJ mol(-1) in EtCN; for 3(H), deltaH(o) (beta)=-94 kJ mol(-1) in THF versus -77 kJ mol(-1) in EtCN). In addition, a more significant ligand electronic effect is seen for the oxygenation reactions of 1(MeO) in THF compared to that in EtCN; the thermal stability of superoxo- and peroxocopper complexes are considerably enhanced using L(MeO) compared to L(H). In acetone as solvent, a different reaction mechanism involving dimeric copper(I) species [(L(R))(2)Cu(I)(2)](2+) is proposed for the oxygenation reactions, supported by kinetic analyses, electrical conductivity measurements, and variable-temperature NMR spectroscopic studies. The present study is the first systematic study investigating both solvent medium and ligand electronic effects in reactions forming copper-dioxygen adducts.     

Efficient mixing in membrane bioreactors:minimizing dilution effects

Thermodynamically unfavorable enzyme-catalyzed synthesis reactions can attain higher levels of conversion with enhanced kinetics in membrane bioreactors as opposed to conventional biochemical reactors. Dilute reactants in separate solutions are mixed efficiently using permselective membranes, with the result that the reaction can be carried out to a high level of conversion. Pertinent operating parameters are identified and model calculations are presented showing thermodynamic and kinetic advantages.