Planar-chiral metal complexes comprised of square-planar metal and achiral tetradentate ligands: design, optical resolution, and thermodynamics

Planar-chiral palladium complexes {[[N,N'-[1,4-butanediylbis(oxy-7,1-naphthalenediyl)]bis(2-pyridinecarboxamidato)](2-)-κN(1),κN(1)',κN(2),κN(2)']palladium (PdL(4)) and [[2,2'-[1,4-butanediylbis[[(oxy-7,1-naphthalenediyl)imino]methyl]]dipyrrolato](2-)-κN(1),κN(1)',κN(2),κN(2)']palladium (PdL(5))} were synthesized from achiral tetradentate ligands N,N'-[1,4-butanediylbis(oxy-7,1-naphthalenediyl)]bis(2-pyridinecarboxamide) (H(2)L(4)) and N,N'-bis[(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)methylidene]-7,7'-(1,4-butanediyldioxy)bis(1-naphthalenamine) (H(2)L(5)) bearing two dissymmetric bidentate units at both ends and a Pd(II) ion, respectively. The palladium complexes were crystallized in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n with the unit cell parameters a = 16.5464(6) ?, b = 11.3534(4) ?, c = 17.6697(7) ?, β = 115.5300(10)°, and Z = 4 for PdL(4) and a = 17.2271(8) ?, b = 10.1016(5) ?, c = 17.9361(9) ?, β = 105.6310(10)°, and Z = 4 for PdL(5). The planar-chiral structures of PdL(4) and PdL(5) were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray analyses, resulting in the fact that the crystals were racemic mixtures. The racemic mixtures were successfully resolved by using chiral high-performance liquid-chromatography techniques. Racemizations of the complexes were found to be drastically dependent on the arrangement of the charged or uncharged metal-binding N atoms of the ligands.     

Polymer thermodynamics of adsorbed protein layers

Since proteins are polymers, their adsorption at interfaces should share some common features with polymers whose adsorption behavior is being rather well understood using current theoretical approaches. Some theoretical developments are highlighted and recent experimental data obtained mostly with β-casein are compared to them. The general conclusions are that the alternating hydrophilic/hydrophobic block theory gives a general frame for the adsorption of proteins. However, the detailed behavior of proteins at interface seems also influenced by non-covalent, say, electrostatic and hydrogen bonds, whose extent and effects are specified by the local conditions (nature of the fluid phases, temperature, pH, ionic strength, etc.).     

Nanostructured metal oxides/hydroxides-based electrochemical sensor for monitoring environmental micropollutants

Nanostructured metal oxides/hydroxides (NMOs/HOs) with unique optical, electrical and molecular properties, chemical and photochemical stability, electrochemical activity, large surface area along with desired functionalities have recently become important as materials to construct electrochemical sensor for monitoring environmental micropollutants. In this review, we present and discuss the NMOs/HOs-based electrochemical sensor for detection of micropollutants including toxic organic micropollutants, heavy metal ions (HMIs), and anions in water. The analytical performance of a NMOs/HOs-based electrochemical sensor can be improved by tailoring the properties of the NMOs/HOs through engineering of morphology, particle size, exposed crystal facets, effective surface area, functionality, adsorption capability and electron-transfer properties. These interesting NMOs/HOs are expected to find potential applications in a new generation of miniaturized, smart electrochemical environmental monitoring devices.     

Site-specific unfolding thermodynamics of a helix-turn-helix protein

The thermal unfolding of a 40-residue helix-turn-helix subdomain of the P22 viral coat protein was investigated using circular dichroism (CD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) with site-specific 13C isotopic labeling. Helix-turn-helix is the simplest alpha-helical structural motif that combines both secondary and tertiary structural elements. The CD of individual helical fragments reveals that the P22 subdomain is stabilized by tertiary interhelical interactions. Overall the temperature-dependent CD and FTIR data can be described by a three-state process with a partially folded intermediate. However, the analysis of the site-specific 13C IR signals reveals distinct unfolding thermodynamics for each of the labeled sites. The thermodynamic parameters of the thermal unfolding of each of the labeled segments were obtained using singular value decomposition in combination with target transformation and global fitting. The P22 subdomain unfolds from the N-terminus toward the helical segments near the turn. Our results show that as few as two 13C labeled residues can be detected in a 40 residue protein and provide local, site-specific structural information about protein unfolding, which is not resolved by standard, nonsite-specific spectroscopic probes.     

The influence of shells,electron thermodynamics,and evaporation on the abundance spectra of large sodium metal clusters

Measurements of the mass abundance spectra of sodium clusters containing up to 600 atoms are presented. The clusters are produced in a seeded supersonic expansion of Ar or Kr gas, and the spectra are obtained by a time-of-flight technique. The sawtooth features in the spectra are interpreted as evidence of a regular spherical shell structure with magic numbers,N ₀, scaling approximately with the cube root of the number of sodium atoms. Altogether twelve shell closings are observed,N ₀=2, 8, 20, 40, 58, 92, 138, 196, 260, 344, 440 and 558. There is also a pronounced odd-even staggering all the way up toN=70. The experimentally observed intensity changes for the clusters around the magic numbers are discussed in terms of the electronic free energy,F(N), calculated at finite temperature, and the second differences of the free energy Δ₂ F(N)=F(N?1)?2F(N)+F(N+1). The processes behind the non-uniform abundance distributions, and the thermodynamics of finite electron systems with non-uniform level spacings are discussed on this basis.     

Binding thermodynamics of metal ions to HIV-1 ribonuclease H domain

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - Metal–protein interactions are not necessarily tight in many transient biological processes, such as cellular signaling, enzyme regulation, and...     

Sensitivity of metal thiolate piezoquartz sensor coatings to hydrocarbons, methanol, and water

Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Ag(I), and Pb(II) octadecylthiolates were used as chemical coatings for piezoquartz (PQR) sensors sensitive to hydrocarbon, alcohol, and water vapors. The sensitivity of these PQR sensors in a stationary flow mode at 25 °C varies from 0.5 to 5 Hz/(mg/L) depending on the composition of the coating and nature of the analyte. An array of eight PQR sensors with these coatings gives a sensor image of the corresponding analyte, which hardly varies with the analyte concentration. The sensitivity of the PQR sensors with the coatings studied changed by no more than 10–15% upon storage for several months. __________ Translated from Teoreticheskaya i éksperimental’naya Khimiya, Vol. 42, No. 6, pp. 371–376, November–December, 2006.     

A study on the protein concentration dependence of the thermodynamics of micellization

An investigation on the dependence of the thermodynamics of micellization of different surfactants such as sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), sodium octanoate (C8HONa), and sodium perfluorooctanoate (C8FONa) on the concentration of human serum albumin (HSA) has been realized. The critical micelle concentration (cmc) and ionisation degree of micellization, β, as a function of temperature (T), in solutions containing 0.125% and 0.250% in v/w of HSA, were estimated from conductivity data. From these results, the average number of surfactant monomers per protein molecule was calculated: higher values were found for C8HONa, the lowest value corresponded to SDS. For all the systems under study, electrostatic forces mainly drive the interaction between the surfactants and the proteins. Plots of cmc against temperature appear to follow the typical U-shaped curve with a minimum T_min. Thermodynamic functions of micellization were obtained by applying the theoretical models that best fit our experimental data, showing that the addition of HSA shows different patterns depending on the surfactant and thermodynamic quantity. Changes in the protein conformation due to the adsorption of surfactant molecules have been monitored by using UV-CD spectra. Greater changes in α-helical contents correspond with the concentrations over cmc, indicating that at low concentrations surfactants act as a structure stabilizer; meanwhile they act as a destabilizer at higher concentrations. C8HONa is the most effective reducing α-helical content, SDS is the less effective content.     

Investigating the sensor response of ceria-containing binary metal oxide nanocomposites

The hydrogen sensing performance of ceria-containing nanocrystalline indium and tin oxides is investigated for different concentrations of added ceria. The sensor response of nanocrytsalline In₂O₃ is considerably enhanced at low CeO₂ concentrations. In contrast, low levels of CeO₂ cause a substantial drop in the sensor response of SnO₂-based composite; at a 3 wt % level of added ceria, its hydrogen sensing ability is almost entirely suppressed. Possible causes of these effects are investigated via X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction. XPS data show that additions of CeO₂ have different effects on the structure of the base oxides (In₂O₃ and SnO₂), with implications for the hydrogen sensing performance of the composites.

     

Complex formation thermodynamics of some metal(II) phenyl-2-pyridylketoximates

The formation of phenyl-2-pyridylketoximates of nickel(II), zinc(II), cadmium-(II), mercury(II) and lead(II) was studied potentiometrically in a medium of 40% (w/w) acetone and 60% (w/w) water. The values of step formation constants, free energy, entropy and enthalpy of complex formation were calculated. The formation of the mercury chelate was found to be entropy driven. The formation of phenyl-2-pyridylketoximates of other metals of the first transitional series could not be studied owing to experimental difficulties.     

A fluorescence lifetime-based fibre-optic glucose sensor using glucose/galactose-binding protein

Alternative, non-electrochemistry-based technologies for continuous glucose monitoring are needed for eventual use in diabetes mellitus. As part of a programme investigating fluorescent glucose sensors, we have developed fibre-optic biosensors using glucose/galactose binding protein (GBP) labelled with the environmentally sensitive fluorophore, Badan. GBP-Badan was attached via an oligohistidine-tag to the surface of Ni-nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA)-functionalized agarose or polystyrene beads. Fluorescence lifetime increased in response to glucose, observed by fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy of the GBP-Badan-beads. Either GBP-Badan agarose or polystyrene beads were loaded into a porous chamber at the end of a multimode optical fibre. Fluorescence lifetime responses were recorded using pulsed laser excitation, high speed photodiode detection and time-correlated single-photon counting. The maximal response was at 100 mM glucose with an apparent K(d) of 13 mM (agarose) and 20 mM (polystyrene), and good working-day stability was demonstrated. We conclude that fluorescence lifetime fibre-optic glucose sensors based on GBP-Badan are suitable for development as clinical glucose monitors.     

Kinetics and thermodynamics of point defects in non-stoichiometric metal oxides and sulphides

Kinetic methods for studying the transport properties of non-stoichiometric transition metal oxides and sulphides have been described. It has been shown that modern microthermogravimetric techniques enable, in rather simple way, the determination of the concentration and the mobility of point defects in these materials as a function of temperature and oxidant activity, with an accuracy difficult to attain with other, much more complicated and time consuming methods. The advantages of the kinetic methods described in this paper have been illustrated by the results obtained on Mn-MnS-S₂ system which has been extensively studied in detail by different authors using various conventional techniques.     

Design,synthesis, and biological evaluation of largazole derivatives: alteration of the zinc-binding domain

A new series of largazole analogues in which the side chain was replaced with disulfide groups were synthesized, and their biological activities were evaluated. Compound 8 bearing an octyl moiety showed much better selectivity for HDAC1 over HDAC7 than largazole (320-fold). Structure–activity relationships suggested that the length in the disulfide chain of largazole is important for the selectivity toward HDAC1 over HDAC7.     

Analysis of the relationships between evolvability,thermodynamics, and the functions of intrinsically disordered proteins/regions

The evolvability of proteins is not only restricted by functional and structural importance, but also by other factors such as gene duplication, protein stability, and an organism's robustness. Recently, intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs)/regions (IDRs) have been suggested to play a role in facilitating protein evolution. However, the mechanisms by which this occurs remain largely unknown. To address this, we have systematically analyzed the relationship between the evolvability, stability, and function of IDPs/IDRs. Evolutionary analysis shows that more recently emerged IDRs have higher evolutionary rates with more functional constraints relaxed (or experiencing more positive selection), and that this may have caused accelerated evolution in the flanking regions and in the whole protein. A systematic analysis of observed stability changes due to single amino acid mutations in IDRs and ordered regions shows that while most mutations induce a destabilizing effect in proteins, mutations in IDRs cause smaller stability changes than in ordered regions. The weaker impact of mutations in IDRs on protein stability may have advantages for protein evolvability in the gain of new functions. Interestingly, however, an analysis of functional motifs in the PROSITE and ELM databases showed that motifs in IDRs are more conserved, characterized by smaller entropy and lower evolutionary rate, than in ordered regions. This apparently opposing evolutionary effect may be partly due to the flexible nature of motifs in IDRs, which require some key amino acid residues to engage in tighter interactions with other molecules. Our study suggests that the unique conformational and thermodynamic characteristics of IDPs/IDRs play an important role in the evolvability of proteins to gain new functions.     

Spectrophotometric studies,stability constants and thermodynamics for complexes ofo-hydroxyacetophenone isobutyroylhydrazone with some bivalent transition metal ions

Summary The u.v. spectra ofo-hydroxyacetophenone isobutyroylhydrazone (HAIBuH) were investigated in pure organic solvents as well as in Britton Robinson buffer solutions of varyingpH values. The interaction ofHAIBuH with Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) were studied spectrophotometrically. The optimumpH favouring the formation of the highly coloured complexes are 8.5, 8.0 and 7.5 for Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II), respectively. The stoichiometries of these complexes were determined and indicated the formation of 1:2 (metal:ligand) complexes of Co(II) and Ni(II) and a 1:1 complex of Cu(II). The dissociation constantspK ^H ofHAIBuH and the overall stability constants log of their complexes were determined at different temperatures (293, 303 and 313 K). The corresponding thermodynamic parameters (G, H and S) in 20% (v/v) ethanol-water mixture were derived and discussed.

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Spektrophotometrische Untersuchungen, Stabilitätskonstanten und Thermodynamik der Komplexe vono-Hydroxyacetophenonisobutyroylhydrazon mit einigen bivalenten Übergangsmetallionen

Zusammenfassung Die UV-Spektren vono-Hydroxyacetophenon-isobutyroylhydrazon (HAIBuH) wurden in reinen organischen Solventien und in Britton-Robinson-Pufferlösungen von verschiedenempH gemessen. Die Wechselwirkung vonHAIBuH mit Co(II), Ni(II) und Cu(II) wurde spektrophotometrisch untersucht. Die optimalenpH-Werte zur maximalen Ausbildung der starkgefärbten Komplexe sind 8.5, 8.0 bzw. 7.5 für Co(II), Ni(II) bzw. Cu(II). Für die Stöchiometrien wurde ein Metall: Ligand-Verhältnis 1:2 für Co(II) und Ni(II) und 1:1 für Cu(II) bestimmt. Die DissoziationskonstantenpK ^H vonHAIBuH und die Gesamtstabilitätskonstanten log der Komplexe wurden bei verschiedenen Temperature bestimmt (293, 303 und 313 K) und die entsprechenden thermodynamischen Parameter (G, H und S) in 20% (v/v) Ethanol-Wasser-Mischung errechnet und diskutiert.

     

Modeling reactive metal oxides. Kinetics,thermodynamics, and mechanism of M(3) cap isomerization in polyoxometalates

An investigation of M(3)O(13) unit ("M(3) cap") isomerization in the classical polytungstodiphosphates alpha- and beta-P(2)W(18)O(62)(6)(-) has been undertaken because cap isomerism is an important and structurally well-studied phenomenon in many polyoxometalate families. The relative thermodynamic stabilities of the alpha (more stable) versus beta isomers were established both in the solid state by differential scanning calorimetry (4.36 +/- 0.64 kcal/mol) and in solution by (31)P NMR (3.80 +/- 0.57 kcal/mol). The isomerization of beta-P(2)W(18)O(62)(6)(-) to alpha-P(2)W(18)O(62)(6)(-), followed by (31)P NMR, has a bimolecular rate constant k(2) of 9.3 x 10(-)(1) M(-)(1) s(-)(1) at 343 K in pH 4.24 acetate buffer. Several lines of evidence establish the validity of suggestions in the literature that isomerization goes through a lacunary (defect) intermediate. First, the rate is proportional to [OH(-)]. Second, isomerization increases at higher ionic strengths, and a Debye-Hückel plot is consistent with a rate-limiting reaction between beta-P(2)W(18)O(62)(6)(-) and OH(-) (two species with a charge product of 6). Third, alkali-metal cations stabilize the bimolecular transition state (K(+) > Na(+) > Li(+)), consistent with recent ion-pairing studies in polyoxometalate systems. Fourth, the monovanadium-substituted products alpha(1)- and alpha(2)-P(2)VW(17)O(62)(7)(-) ((51)V NMR delta -554 ppm) form during isomerization in the presence of VO(2+). The known lacunary compounds (alpha(1)- and alpha(2)-P(2)W(17)O(61)(10)(-)) also react rapidly with the same vanadium precursor. Fifth, solvent studies establish that isomerization does not occur when OH(-) is absent. A mechanism is proposed involving attack of OH(-) on beta-P(2)W(18)O(62)(6)(-), loss of monomeric W(VI) from the M(3) (M(3)O(13)) terminal cap, isomerization of the resulting lacunary compound to alpha-P(2)W(17)O(61)(10)(-), and finally reaction of this species with monomeric W(VI) to form the thermodynamic and observed product, alpha-P(2)W(18)O(62)(6)(-).     

Selective metal sensor phthalocyanines bearing non-peripheral functionalities: Synthesis,spectroscopy, electrochemistry and spectroelectrochemistry

A novel alcohol-soluble ionophore ligand and its non-peripherally tetrasubstituted functional 1,8,15,22-tetrakis(6-hydroxyhexylsulfanyl) metallophthalocyanines M[Pc(α-SC₆H₁₂OH)₄] (M = Cu(II), Zn(II), Co(II); Pc = phthalocyanine) are reported. The aggregation and cation binding behaviors of the phthalocyanine compounds in the presence of soft Ag^I and Pd^II metal ions were investigated by using UV–Vis spectroscopy. The new compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H, ¹³C NMR, UV/Vis spectroscopy, ESI and MALDI–TOF–MS mass spectra. Voltammetric and in-situ spectroelectrochemical studies show that while copper and zinc phthalocyanine complexes give well-defined ring-based reduction and oxidation processes, the cobalt phthalocyanine gives both metal-based and ring-based redox processes which have reversible and diffusion controlled character.