An EPR/ENDOR study of the asymmetric hydrogen bond between the quinone electron acceptor and the protein backbone in Photosystem I

Hydrogen bonding to the photoaccumulated secondary acceptor radical anion A₁^√− in photosystem (PS) I has been studied using pulsed Q-band ENDOR spectroscopy. With deuterated quinone in protonated PS I particles it is demonstrated that the observed radical anion has only one hydrogen-bond hyperfine coupling (hfc) tensor with tensor components above the 2 MHz range. Below 2 MHz the protein matrix protons dominate and a second weak H-bond could not be detected. The spectral resolution of pulsed Q-band ENDOR is critically required to separate the signals of the H-bond proton from those of the primary chlorophyll acceptor, A₀^√−, which cannot be avoided to be formed to some extent in the photoaccumulation procedure. The determined H-bond hfc tensor of A₁^√− is found to be close to axial symmetry with a small isotropic component, as expected from a predominantly dipolar electron–proton spin interaction in a hydrogen-bond. The principal tensor components are A=(+)7.7, MHz A=(−)4.9 MHz, A_iso=(−)0.7 MHz. The magnitude of the dipolar tensor corresponds to an unusually short H-bond which can be estimated from the point-dipole approximation (1.5±0.1 Å). Based on previous studies with A- and B-branch specific site-directed mutants of the A₁ site of PS I and the chosen photoaccumulation protocol, the observed A₁^√− radical anion can be assigned to the Q_K–A site of the A-branch. The observed H-bond hfc tensor is compared to those determined for related quinone radical anions observed in frozen protic solution as well as in the Q_A site of type II bacterial reaction centers.     

High-resolution ODMR- and ODNQR spectroscopy of acridine-d9 in its lowest excited triplet state

High-resolution ODMR- and ODNQR spectroscopy have been performed on acridine-d₉ in its photoexcited triplet state. The nuclear quadrupole constants e²qQ/h = −4.36(3) MHz and η = 0.22(1) have been measured for the ¹⁴N nucleus, where the sign of e²qQ/h is determined relative to the signs of the fine structure parameters, D and E. The ¹⁴N ODNQR spectrum, with linewidths as low as 60 kHz, exhibits a satellite structure attributable to the ²D nucleus located at the meso-position in the molecule. For this nucleus |e²qQ/h| = 180(30) kHz may be estimated. The intensity behaviour of the ODNQR transitions as a function of the NMR rf power level leads to a coarse determination of the in-plane components of the ¹⁴N hyperfine tensor with |A_yy^N| 0.2 MHz and |A _yy^N| 4.7 MHz. Owing to accidental overlap of two transitions in the 2E-ODMR spectrum of acridine, the ODNQR technique had to be extended to a five-pulse sequence.     

A “vertex electron pair” scheme (VEPS) for describing the skeletal electron distribution in borane-type clusters

A predominantly localized electron pair scheme is outlined for describing the electron distribution and bonding in closo borane anions B_nH_n²⁻ and related electron deficient deltahedral clusters, in which a skeletal electron pair is assigned to each vertex, one pair being regarded as delocalized just inside the roughly spherical surface on which the skeletal atoms lie. The scheme gives a clearer picture of the electron distribution than is conveyed by resonating 2- and 3-centre bonds in the polyhedron edges and faces, and allows the bond orders of the polyhedron edge links to be calculated readily. The consequence of formal removal of BH²⁺ units from closo species B_nH_n²⁻ to generate nido species B_n−1H_n−1⁴⁻ and arachno species B_n−2H_n−2⁶⁻ is explored, and seen to allow rationalization of two features of such deltahedral-fragment clusters: (i) why a high-connectivity vertex is left vacant and (ii) why the frontier orbitals of such species concentrate electronic charge around their open faces. Moreover, in the case of D_4‘h B₄H₄⁶⁻ (cf. C₄H₄²⁻) and D_5h B₅H₅⁶⁻ (cf. C₅H₅⁻), the approach leads directly to the familiar picture for aromatic ring systems in which the highest filled, doubly degenerate π-bonding molecular orbital concentrates electronic charge in rings above and below the polygon on which the skeletal nuclei lie. It also leads to the expectation that arachno clusters with non-adjacent vacant vertices will be more stable than those with adjacent vacant vertices.     

2D EPR investigation of endohedral La@C82 in solution

The analysis of a two-dimensional EPR spectrum gives direct evidence for a dominant nuclear quadrupole interaction at the site of the encapsulated La³⁺ ion. From the observed nuclear spin transition rates we deduce eQV_zz/[I(2I − 1)h] ≈ 0.5(3) MHz, assuming that the correlation time of the electric field gradient axes is determined by molecular reorientation of the molecule in solution. The non-vanishing value of the quadrupole interaction is further proof for an off-center position of the metal ion.     

Flow injection analysis methods for determination of diffusion coefficients

Two flow injection analyses (FIA) methods for the determination of diffusion coefficients in a straight single tube FIA system were developed. Based on the analytical solution of the convection-diffusion equation, linear relationships of the logarithmic values of the dispersion coefficient (D) and the half-peak width (W_1/2) with the diffusion coefficient (D_m) were obtained. Experiments were designed to verify these methods. For example, for potassium hexacyanoferrate (III) a D_m value of 0.72 × 10⁵ cm² s⁻¹ was found versus a literature value of 0.76 × 10⁵ cm² s⁻¹ (error, 5%). For potassium hexacyanoferrate (II) a D_m value of 0.67 × 10⁵ cm² s⁻¹ was obtained versus a literature value of 0.63 × 10⁵ cm² s⁻¹ (error, 6%). The diffusion coefficients of some important biomedical compounds, such as dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine and ascorbic acid, were then determined. The values of 10⁵ D_m/cm² s⁻¹ are 0.60 ± 0.03, 0.44 ± 0.02, 0.60 ± 0.01 and 0.68 ± 0.06, respectively.     

Kinetic study of gas-phase Lu(D3/2) with O2, N2O and CO2

The second-order rate constants of gas-phase Lu(²D_3/2) with O₂, N₂O and CO₂ from 348 to 573 K are reported. In all cases, the reactions are relatively fast with small barriers. The disappearance rates are independent of total pressure indicating bimolecular abstraction processes. The bimolecular rate constants (in molecule⁻¹ cm³ s⁻¹) are described in Arrhenius form by k(O₂)=(2.3±0.4)×10⁻¹⁰exp(−3.1±0.7 kJmol⁻¹/RT), k(N₂O)=(2.2±0.4)×10⁻¹⁰exp(−7.1±0.8 kJmol⁻¹/RT), k(CO₂)=(2.0±0.6)×10⁻¹⁰exp(−7.6±1.3 kJmol⁻¹/RT), where the uncertainties are ±2σ.     

溴代烷烃与活性氮的反应发光研究

在流动余辉装置上, 利用N₂空心阴极放电制备活性氮, 研究了活性氮与溴代烷烃(CHBr₃、CH₂Br₂、C₂H₅Br、C₄H₉Br) 反应的化学发光.上述所有反应中, 在550～750 nm波段均观察到了较强的NBr (b¹Σ+→X³Σ^-)跃迁发射谱. 同时在活性氮与CHBr₃和CH₂Br₂的反应中, 在流动管下游还观察到了CN (A²π, B²π→X²Σ⁺)的发射谱. 验证性的实验表明, 激发态NBr (b¹Σ⁺)是由二步过程形成: N(⁴S)与溴代烷烃反应生成NBr (X³Σ^-), 再通过N₂ (A ³Σ_u⁺)分子能量转移到激发态NBr (b¹Σ⁺); 而激发态的CN是通过N(⁴S) + CBr→CN(A, B) + Br过程形成的.     

Transport phenomenon as a function of counter and co-ions in solution: chronopotentiometric behavior of anion exchange membrane in different aqueous electrolyte solutions

Anion exchange membrane has been investigated in different electrolyte solutions by chronopotentiometry to explore the influence of co-ion and counterion of the exchange group of the membrane, on the transport phenomena. Chloride, nitrate, sulfate and acetate in sodium salts were used as counterions and sodium, potassium, calcium and ammonium in chloride salts were used as co-ions. The membrane showed a potential drop (E₀) in all these electrolytes when a constant current was applied across it, which remained constant for a period less than τ, called the transition time and rose gradually to a maximum (E_max) value. The parameters such as τ, E₀ and E_max and the potential jump (ΔE) and τ and the inflection zone (Δt) along the time axis have been measured and compared at an applied current density (I) of 10 mA cm⁻² in 10 mM solutions. The values of τ^1/2/z_A[A₀] or τ^1/2/z_C[C₀], with or , E₀ and ΔE with or (where r_A and r_C are the ionic radii of counter and co-ions, respectively) have been correlated. Permselectivity (P) and transference number of the membrane with respect to each one of the above electrolytes have been evaluated and discussed.     

Das Reaktionsverhalten von Cp2NbCl2 gegenüber WF6—Struktur von [Cp2NbCl2]4[WF6]2[WCl6]

The oxidation of Cp₂NbCl₂ with pure WF₆ in SO₂ solution yielded the cationic metallocene species [Cp₂NbCl₂]⁺[WF₆]⁻ essentially in quantitative yield. The same reaction carried out in the presence of either equimolar amounts or a two-fold excess of HCN led to the preparation of the new niobocenium salt [Cp₂NbCl₂]₄⁺[WF₆]²⁻ which was studied by single crystal X-ray diffraction. This compound represents the first example of a structurally characterized metallocene-WF₆⁻ complex, and crystallizes in the tetragonal system: space group, P4₁2₁2(No. 92), a = 11.083(8) Å, c = 48.285 (9) Å; Z = 8; R = 0.0759, R_W = 0.0841. ab]Die Oxidation von Cp₂NbCl₂ mit reinem WF₆ führt in SO₂-Lösung zur Synthese von [Cp₂NbCl₂ ]⁺[WF₆]⁻ in nahezu quantitativer Ausbeute. Die analoge Reaktion führt unter Anwesenheit der äquimolaren Menge oder eines zweifachen Überschusses an HCN zur Ausbildung des Niobocenium-Komplexsalzes [Cp₂NbCl₂]₄⁺ [WF₆]₂⁻[WCl₆]²⁻, von dem eine Röntgenstrukturanalyse angefertigt wurde. Diese Verbindung repräsentiert den ersten structurell charakterisierten Vertreter eines Metallocen-WF₆⁻-Komplexes und kristallisiert im tetragonalen System: Raumgruppe P4₁2₁2 (Nr. 92), a = 11.083(8) Å, c = 48.285(9) Å; Z = 8; R = 0.0759, R_W = 0.0841. kw]Niobium; X-ray diffraction; Oxidation; Metallocenes     

Theoretical study on the structure and stability of hydrogen-ion clusters Hn and Hn (n = 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13)

Ab initio SCF and CI calculations have been carried out for H_n⁺ and H_n⁻ (n = 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13) clusters with a double-zeta plus polarization basis set. The stabilization energy of negative ion clusters H_n⁻ is very small (less than 1 kcal) and their existence is critical. The structural difference between positive- and negative-ion clusters are discussed in terms of the bonding ability involved. While H_n⁺ is a charge-transfer complex, the stability of H_n⁻ comes mainly from the ion-induced-dipole attractions. The electron correlation effect on the structure and stability of these ion clusters is also discussed.     

Gas-phase stability of cluster ions SF m + (SF6) n with m = 0–5 and n = 1–3

The gas-phase stabilities of cluster ions SF⁺_m (SF₆)_n with m = 0−5 were determined by using a high pressure mass spectrometer. The bond energies of SF⁺_m (SF₆)₁ were found to be less than 10 kcal/mol and to decrease with m = 0 → 5. There appear to be rather large gaps in the bond energies between n = 1 and 2 for the clusters SF⁺_m (SF₆)_n with m = 0−4. The structures of SF⁺₅, SF⁺ (SF₆)₁, SF⁺₃ (SF₆)₁, and SF⁺₅ (SF₆)₁ were investigated by ab initio molecular orbital calculations. For SF⁺₅, the D_3h geometry is found to be most stable andC_4v is a transition state of the Berry pseudorotation. For the ion-molecule complexes, the “on-top hat” models were found to be the most stable structures.     

Model of silicooxygen ring vibrations

In order to assign the bands in the IR spectra of silicates to the appropriate normal vibrations, a vibrational model has been proposed. A complex silicooxygen ring is considered as a ‘unit cell' composed of the appropriate number of [SiO₄]⁴⁻ tetrahedra. According to this model, in the ring silicates spectra we have to observe bands due to internal vibrations of individual tetrahedra and bands corresponding exclusively to the ring structure. Change in the tetrahedra symmetry from T_d (ideal tetrahedron) to C_2v (tetrahedron in a ring) and then to the ring symmetry: D_3h, D_4h and D_6h (ideal rings) with respect to reducible representations makes it possible to differentiate between the bands due to ring structure (pseudo-lattice vibrations) and internal modes of tetrahedra. It has been established that in the case of all ideal rings there is only one IR active vibrational mode, namely the one symmetric with respect to the axis of the highest fold, i.e. A₂″ in the case of 3-membered rings and A_2u in the case of 4- and 6-membered rings. The model proposed has been verified for different membered ring silicates.     

Binding of acrylic and sulphonic polyanions by open-chain polyammonium cations

The interactions between some acrylic and sulphonic polyanions and some protonated amines (diamines NH₂-(CH₂)_x-NH₂, x=2,…,10; linear tri-, tetra-, penta- and hexa-amines) were studied potentiometrically in aqueous solution, at 25°C. For both types of polyanions AL₂H_i (L⁻, monomer of polyanion, A, amine) species are formed, with i=1,…,n (n=number of amino groups in the amine). The stability of these species is strictly dependent on the polyammonium cation charge, and fairly independent of the type of amine (in diamine species maximum stability is observed for x=4, 5). Acrylic and sulphonic polyanion complexes are considerably stronger than analogous species formed by low molecular weight anions. Mean stability can be expressed as log K=2.87ζ^2/3, for polyacrylic anions and log K=2.42ζ^2/3 for polysulphonic anions (ζ=absolute value for charge product of reactants).     

Kinetics and mechanisms of the redox reaction of hexaaquotitanium(III) and the ethylenediamine tetraacetato titanium(III) complex by aqueous solutions of bromine

At 25°C, I = 1.0 M (CF₃SO₃⁻Li⁺+CF₃SO₃H), [H⁺] = 0.034–0.274 M and λ = 453 nm, the rate equation for the oxidation of Ti(H₂O), ₆³⁺ by bromine was found to be: −d/[Br₂]T/dt=kK/[Br₂][Ti^III]/[H⁺]+K+kK/[Br₃⁻][Ti^III]/[H⁺+K, where k = 9.2 × 10⁻³ M ⁻¹ s ⁻¹ and K = 4.5 × 10⁻³ M. At [H⁺] = 1.0 M, [Br⁻] = 0.05–0.4 M, the apparent second-order rate constant decreases as [Br⁻] increases.

The pH-dependence of the oxidation of Ti^III-edta by bromine is interpreted in terms of the change in identity of the Ti^III-edta species as the pH of the reaction medium changes. The second-order rate constants were fitted using a non-linear least-square computer program with (1/k₀^edta)² weighting into an equation of the form: k₀^edta =k₁+k₂K₁[H⁺]⁻¹+k₃K₁K₂[H⁺]^−2/1+K₁[H⁺[H⁺⁻¹+K₁K₂[H⁺]⁻², with K₁ and K₂ fixed as earlier determined at 9.55 × 10⁻³ and 2.29 × 10⁻⁹ M, respectively, for the oxidation of bromine. k₁=k₂=(3.1±0.32)×10³M⁻¹s⁻¹ k₃=(2.3±0.45)×10⁶N⁻¹s⁻¹.

It is proposed that these electron transfer reactions proceed by univalent changes with the production of Br₂^.− as a transient intermediate. An outer-sphere mechanism is proposed for these reactions. The homonuclear exchange rate for Ti^III-edta+Ti^IV-edta is estimated at 32 M⁻¹ s⁻¹.     

Oxygen abstraction from tetrahydrofuran by molybdenum-iodide complexes. X-ray molecular structure of [Mo2(μ-O)(μ-I)(μ-O2CCH3)I2(THF)4][MoOI4(THF)] (THF = tetrahydrofuran)

The interaction between Mo₂(O₂CCH₃)₄, Me₃SiI and I₂ in THF resulted in oxygen abstraction from the solvent and formation of [Mo₂(μ-O)(μ-I)(μ-O₂CCH₃) I₂(THF)₄]⁺[MoOI₄(THF)]⁻ and I---(CH₂)₄---I. The molybdenum complex has been characterized by X-ray diffractometry. Crystal data: triclinic, space group P , a = 13.827(3) Å; b = 15.803(7) Å; c = 9.950(3) Å; = 93.34(4)°; β = 102.40(2)°; γ = 90.09(2)°; V = 2120(2) Å₃; Z = 2; d_calc = 2.559 g cm⁻³; R = 0.0476 (R_w = 0.0613) for 370 parameters and 3938 data with F₀²> 3σ(F₀²). The metal-metal distance in the cation is 2.527(2) Å and indicates a strong interaction. The magnetic behavior is consistent with the assignment of one unpaired electron to the Mo₂⁷⁺ core of the cation and one to the d¹ Mo(V) center of the anion. The interaction between Mo(CO)₆ and I₂ in THF also results in the formation of 1,4-diiodobutane.     

Coordination geometry of chromium(VI) species. The first example of cis-bridging chromate ions in helically structured catena(μ-CrO4-O,O′)[Ni(HIm)3H2O]

Nickel(II) chromate complex with imidazole (HIm) was isolated from the [Ni²⁺–HIm–CrO₄²⁻] system in various experimental conditions, i.e. reagent molar ratios and nickel(II) salts. The catena(μ-CrO₄-O,O′)[Ni(HIm)₃H₂O] (1) crystallizes in monoclinic crystal system—space group P2₁/n with cell parameters: a=11.784(2), b=8.899(2), c=13.934(3) (Å), β=95.19(3) (°). The unit cell contains two independent helixes, left- and right-handed, stabilized by intrahelical and interhelical hydrogen bonds (HB) and π–π interactions. The cis coordination of the CrO₄²⁻ anions and the HB systems appeared to be the main determinants of the helical architecture. To the best of our knowledge the cis-chromate coordination was observed for the first time. The cis coordination causes the distortion of the nickel octahedron, which was analysed by 4 K single crystal electronic spectra with D_4h symmetry approximation (gaussian resolution and crystal field parameters). This symmetry was also confirmed with the polarised electronic spectra. The magnetic properties of the complex suggest the occurrence of weak intrachain antiferromagnetic interactions between the magnetic Ni^II center. The computational DFT studies of complex 1 assuming three possible isomers mer[(HIm)₃]–cis[(CrO₄²⁻)₂], mer–trans and fac–cis suggested that the main contribution to the stability of 1 might have interhelical and intrahelical hydrogen bonds.     

Determination of pK(a)'s for thymol blue in aqueous medium: evidence of dimer formation

Formation constants for recrystallized thymol blue were determined in water, using the SQUAD and SUPERQUAD programs. The best model correlating spectrophotometric, potentiometric and conductimetric data was fitted with the dissociation of HL⁻=L²⁻+H⁺−log K=8.918±0.070 and H₃L₂⁻=2L²⁻+3H⁺−log K=29.806±0.133 with the SUPERQUAD program at variable low ionic strength (1.5×10⁻⁴–3.0×10⁻⁴ M); and HL=L²⁻+H⁺−log K=8.9±0.000, H₃L₂⁻ =2L²⁻+3H⁺−log K=30.730±0.032, H₄L₂=2L²⁻+4H⁺−log K=32.106±0.033 with SQUAD at 1.1 M ionic strength.     

Heat capacities of NaNO3 and KNO3 from 350 to 800 K

The heat capacities of NaNO₃ and KNO₃ were determined from 350 to 800 K by differential scanning calorimetry. Solid-solid transitions and melting were observed at 550 and 583 K for NaNO₃ and 406 and 612 K for KNO₃, respectively. The entropies associated with the solid-solid transitions were measured to be (8.43± 0.25) J K⁻¹ mole⁻¹ for NaNO₃ and (13.8±0.4) J K⁻¹ mole⁻¹ for KNO₃. At 298.15 K the values of C⁰_P S⁰_P, {H⁰(T)-H⁰(0)}/T and -{G⁰(T)-H⁰(0)}/T, respectively, are 91.94, 116.3, 57.73, and 58.55 J K⁻¹ mole⁻¹ for NaNO₃ and 95.39, 133.0, 62.93, and 70.02 J K⁻¹ mole⁻¹ for KNO₃. Values for S⁰_T, {H⁰(T)-H⁰(0)}/T, and -{G⁰(T)-H⁰(0)}/T were calculated and tabulated from 15 to 800 K for NaNO₃ and KNO₃.     

Observation of difluorinated higher fullerene anions by Knudsen cell mass spectrometry and determination of electron affinities of C60F2 and C70F2

Difluorinated higher fullerenes have been studied by Knudsen cell mass spectrometry. Thermal negative ions C_nF₂⁻ (n=60, 70, 72, 74, 76 and 78) were produced inside the effusion cell as well as the neutral molecules C₆₀F₂ and C₇₀F₂. From the equilibrium constants for the electron exchange reactions between difluorinated fullerenes and their parents electron affinity values were derived for C₆₀F₂ (2.74 eV) and C₇₀F₂ (2.80 eV).