Acid-base dissociation constants of 2,2'-bipyridyl in mixed protic solvents

The acid dissociation constants (K_a), base dissociation constants (K_b) and the autoprotolysis constants (K_s) for 2,2′-bipyridyl in water and in water+alcohol(methanol, ethanol, iso-propanol) mixed solvents have been determined at 25°C and an ionic strength of 0.1 mol l⁻¹, from a direct potentiometric method based on the treatment of the data of a single pH titration. It has been shown that K_a increases, whereas K_b and K_s decrease, with increasing proportion of the alcohol in the mixed solvents. Linear relations between pK_a, pK_b, pK_s and the mole fraction of the alcohol were observed in the composition range investigated. These results are discussed in terms of the properties of solvent and the interactions of the different species existing in dissociation equilibrium with solvents. It is concluded that the higher stabilization of both 2,2′-bipyridyl and its protonated form by dispersion forces and of the proton by its interaction with solvent molecules in the mixed solvents compared with that in water are largely responsible for the observed changes of pK_a with composition. On the other hand, the low stabilization of OH⁻ in the mixed solvents relative to that in water and the electrostatic effect are the main factors in determining the solvent effect on pK_b.     

Cell surface acid-base properties of Escherichia coli and Bacillus brevis and variation as a function of growth phase, nitrogen source and C:N ratio

Potentiometric titration has been conducted to systematically examine the acid–base properties of the cell surfaces of Escherichia coli K-12 and Bacillus brevis as a function of growth phase, nitrogen source (ammonium or nitrate), and carbon to nitrogen (C:N) ratio of the growth substrate. The two bacterial species revealed four distinct proton binding sites, with pK_a values in the range of 3.08–4.05 (pK₁), 4.62–5.57 (pK₂), 6.47–7.30 (pK₃), and 9.68–10.89 (pK₄) corresponding to phosphoric/carboxylic, carboxylic, phosphoric, and hydroxyl/amine groups, respectively. Two general observations in the data are that for B. brevis the first site concentration (N₁), corresponding to phosphoric/carboxylic groups (pK₁), varied as a function of nitrogen source, while for E. coli the fourth site concentration (N₄), corresponding to hydroxyl/amine groups (pK₄), varied as a function of C:N ratio. Correspondingly, it was found that N₁ was the highest of the four site concentrations for B. brevis and N₄ was the highest for E. coli. The concentrations of the remaining sites showed little variation. Finally, comparison between the titration data and a number of cell surface compositional studies in the literature indicates one distinct difference between the two bacteria is that pK₄ of the Gram-negative E. coli can be attributed to hydroxyl groups while that of the Gram-positive B. brevis can be attributed to amine groups.     

基于毛细管电泳和离子迁移率经验公式测定洛伐他汀的绝对淌度和解离常数

作为一种可以预防动脉粥样硬化和冠心病的潜在药物洛伐他汀,其绝对淌度m₀和解离常数pK_a值的测定有助于其性质与应用的研究。在前期相关研究基础上,该文提出了一种基于毛细管区带电泳(CZE)和离子淌度经验公式测定洛伐他汀m₀和pK_a的新方法。首先,根据经验公式由实际淌度(m_act)、有效淌度(m_eff)和m₀之间的关系推导出m₀的计算公式。对于一元酸HA,根据之前m₀的计算公式,以氢离子的浓度为自变量,m_eff的倒数为因变量可得到一条直线。根据这条直线的斜率计算得到pK_a。为了验证该方法的可行性和可靠性,应用该方法测定了巴比妥酸、苯甲酸、苄胺、苯酚、间甲酚等有机酸碱的m₀和pK_a值。同时,对于pH值低于6的缓冲体系,采用反向毛细管电泳技术,测定其pK_a,并将测得的实验结果与理论参考值进行对比,发现两者具有较高的一致性,m₀的标准偏差小于6.0%, pK_a的标准偏差小于6.2%,且由线性回归方程的相关系数(R)可以看出测定pK_a时的线性回归直线拟合度较好,说明该文建立的新方法具有较高的可靠性。最后基于这种CZE与经验公式结合的新方法,采用二甲基亚砜(DMSO)作为电渗流标记物测定了洛伐他汀的m₀和pK_a,得到的值分别为-1.70×10^-8 m²/(V·s)和9.00。该方法适用于酸性和碱性分析物m₀和pK_a等理化参数的测定,在药物分析尤其是新药理化特性研究中具有重要意义。     

Outline of a transition-state hydrogen-bond theory

Though the H-bond is well characterized as a D–H:A three-center-four-electron interaction, the formulation of a general H-bond theory has turned out to be a rather formidable problem because of the extreme variability of the bonds formed (for instance, O–HO energies range from 0.1 to 31 kcal mol⁻¹). This paper surveys our previous contributions to the problem, including: (a) the H-bond chemical leitmotifs (CLs), showing that there are only four classes of strong H-bonds and one of moderately strong ones; (b) the PA/pK_a equalization principle, showing that the four CLs forming strong H-bonds are actually molecular devices apt to equalize the acid–base properties (PA or pK_a) of the H-bond donor and acceptor groups; (c) the driving variable of the H-bond strength, which remains so identified as the difference ΔpK_a=pK_AH(D–H)−pK_BH(A–H⁺) or, alternatively, ΔPA=PA(D⁻)−PA(A); and, in particular, (d) the transition-state H-bond theory (TSHBT), which interprets the H-bond as a stationary point along the complete proton transfer pathway going from D–HA to DH–A via the DHA transition state. TSHBT is verified in connection with a series of seven 1-(X-phenylazo)-2-naphthols, a class of compounds forming a strong intramolecular resonance-assisted H-bond (RAHB), which is switched from N–HO to NH–O by the decreasing electron-withdrawing properties of the substituent X. The system is studied in terms of: (i) variable-temperature X-ray crystallography; (ii) DFT emulation of stationary points and full PT pathways; (iii) Marcus rate-equilibrium analysis correlated with substituent LFER Hammett parameters.     

Evaluation on the adsorption capabilities of new chemically modified polymeric adsorbents with protoporphyrin IX

A novel stationary phase — phenylaminopropyl (PLA) bonded silica — is proposed for anion-exchange chromatography. Low basicity (pK_a about 2.5) attached to silica phenylaminopropyl groups allows a variation of surface density of protonated sites in the pH range from 2 to 5. This enables us to use the same column for the separation of anions having different affinity to anion-exchangers. The effect of mobile phase pH on conditional capacity of PhA-silica was studied. The hypothesis on dependence of ion-exchange selectivity on the column capacity is discussed. Suitability of PhA-silica for ion-chromatographic separation of organic and inorganic anions at different pH values of eluent was demonstrated.     

Matrix isolation infrared studies of complexes formed between substituted phenols and trimethylamine

Infrared spectroscopy and matrix isolation technique have been used to study the 1 : 1 complexes formed between 2,4,5-trichlorophenol (TCP), pentachlorophenol (PCP) or 2-chloro-4,6-dinitrophenol (CNP) and trimethylamine (TMA) isolated in solid argon. The results were analyzed in relation to the type of complex formed. Depending on the proton-donor ability of the phenol three different types of hydrogen bonded complexes have been identified in argon matrices. The weakest phenol in the series, TCP (pK_a = 6.72), forms a strong molecular hydrogen bonded complex with TMA as indicated by the broad ν(OHN) absorption with a maximum at 2490 cm⁻¹ and a band at 811 cm⁻¹ due to the ν_s(C₃N) mode of the perturbed amine. The strongest phenol, CNP (pK_a = 2.01), interacts with TMA in an argon matrix to form ionic complex with the proton transferred to the base molecule. This is evidenced by the presence of the ν(NH⁺---O⁻) absorption between 3000−1800 cm⁻¹, by the ν_as(C₃N⁺) and ν_s(C₃N⁺) absorptions due to the protonated amine and by numerous product bands due to the relatively strongly perturbed modes of the phenol ring. The interaction between TMA and a phenol of intermediate strength, PCP (pK_a = 4.74), in solid argon probably leads to the formation of two types of hydrogen bonded complexes: an ionic complex with the proton transferred to the amine molecule and a pseudosymmetric one with the proton more or less equally shared between the phenol and amine molecules. In this case the protonic absorption consists of two broad features situated in the 3000–1600 cm⁻¹ and 950–400 cm⁻¹ regions due to the ν(NH⁺O⁻) and ν(OHN) modes, respectively.     

Surface chemistry of nanoporous carbon and the effect of pH on adsorption from aqueous phenol and 2,3,4-trichlorophenol solutions

Granular nanoporous activated carbon prepared from polyacrylonitrile (PAN) was investigated as a means of removing weak aromatic acids from aqueous solutions. This carbon is highly nanoporous, the BET surface area being 544 m²/g with V_tot=0.278 cm³/g, and V_micro=0.266 cm³/g. Aqueous treatment reduced the surface area to 364 m²/g.

Granular nanoporous carbon prepared from PAN contains O and N related surface functional groups. The surface concentration of both oxygen and nitrogen atoms was found by XPS to be 5.3%. Surface groups containing these hetero atoms are responsible for the acid–base character of this carbon in aqueous solutions. The pH_PZC of the carbon is 8.4. The microporous pore network produces a wide hysteresis loop, observed when the granular carbon was studied by continuous titration. This loop, which was found to diminish, but not to disappear completely when the particle size was reduced, is attributed to irreversible hydrolysis of surface esters and/or lactones. The surface concentration of the functional groups titrated by the equilibrium Boehm method is 449.2 μeq./g, of which 112.9 μeq./g have acidic and 336.3 μeq./g have basic character. Within the acidic species three subgroups, namely the regions pK_a<6.37, 6.37K_a<10.25 and 10.25K_a<15.74.

The acid–base behavior influences the adsorption performance of the granular carbon in aqueous solutions of weak aromatic acids, in this case phenol and 2,3,4-trichlorophenol. Both the adsorption capacity and the overall interaction parameter, K (both derived from a fit to the Langmuir equation) depend on the adsorbed species and on the pH. The former is a consequence of the different water solubilities of the solute molecules, while the latter stems from the pH sensitivity of both the surface functional groups and these weak acids. The K values show a sequence pH=3K values indicate different adsorption mechanisms. The effect of pH is more marked for 2,3,4-trichlorophenol.     

A distinct intermediate of RNase A is induced by sodium dodecyl sulfate at its pK(a)

The chemical denaturation of RNase A was found to be mediated by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) at various pH. The characterization of the unfolding pathway was investigated by spectrophotometry and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and was analyzed by multivariate curve resolution (MCR) as a chemometric method. The spectrophotometric titration curve of RNase A upon interaction with SDS indicated a distinct complex intermediate in glycine buffer at pH 3.3. This was accompanied with the catalytic activation of the enzyme and was concurrent with maximum population of the intermediate, determined by MCR. This was confirmed by the DSC profile of RNase A in the presence of SDS, indicated by two transitions in thermal unfolding. The kinetic data on the unfolding process of RNase A upon addition of SDS showed a two-phase pathway under the same conditions. The intermediate appeared at low pH especially at the pK_a of SDS (pH 3.3). These results provide strong evidence of the influence of low pH (around the pK_a of SDS) on the existence of an intermediate upon interaction of RNase A with SDS.     

Critical validation of a new simpler approach to estimate aqueous pKa of drugs sparingly soluble in water

A simple linear approach to estimate the aqueous pK_a of compounds sparingly soluble in water, mainly drugs, from solely one pK_a value determined in any methanol/water mixture is evaluated. The parameters (slope and intercept) of the linear relationships are related to the solvent composition and can be easily calculated according to the acidic or basic functional group of the compound. The method has been tested using the available literature data for phenols, aliphatic carboxylic acids, benzoic acid derivatives, both ortho and non-ortho substituted, amines and imidazole derivatives. The study involves the whole range of solvent composition and about one hundred compounds which show a wide variety of aqueous pK_a, from 1.3 to 12.4. The differences between calculated and previously published aqueous pK_a values are less of 0.2 pK units. Consistent values are obtained whatever the composition of methanol/water mixture employed in the experimental measurements. The results support the usefulness of the tested method as a very simple approach to get reliable aqueous pK_a values for sparingly soluble drugs.     

Primary radicals in the photo-oxidation of aromatics — reactions of xylenols with OH, N3 and H radicals and formation and characterization of dimethylphenoxyl, dihydroxydimethylcyclohexadienyl and hydroxydimethylcyclohexadienyl radicals by pulse radiolysis

Photo-oxidations of environmental organics in illuminated TiO₂ dispersions have implicated surface-bound ^•OH radicals and/or valence band holes. To explore the implications of the former oxidizing entity, six isomeric xylenols (dimethylphenols) were examined by pulsed (nanoseconds to milliseconds) radiolysis methods. The spectral and kinetic characteristics of formation and decay of the transients formed by the reaction of N₃^•, ^•OH and H^• radicals with these xylenols were assessed in buffered (pH 4, 10⁻³ M phosphate) aqueous media, where the xylenols exist in their protonated form (pK ≈ 10.19–10.65). The products from the reaction of N₃^• with 2,6- and 3,4-xylenol were exclusively the corresponding dimethylphenoxyl radicals, formed via electron transfer followed by deprotonation. In contrast, except with 3,4-xylenol, the principal radical intermediates formed initially upon reaction with ^•OH were the corresponding ^•OH adducts, the dihydroxydimethylcyclohexadienyl radicals. 3,4-Xylenol was examined in the pH range 4–10. At pH 8 the initial ^•OH adduct (dihydroxy-3,4-dimethylcyclohexadienyl radical) was subsequently transformed (about 20%–40%) via water elimination into the dimethylphenoxyl radical. In contrast, at pH 9 and 10 the ^•OH adduct and the dimethylphenoxyl radical were formed concurrently (about 60% ^•OH adduct and about 40% dimethylphenoxyl species), the latter through an inner-sphere electron transfer pathway. The switch in behaviour from pH 8 to pH 9 suggests that the pK_a of the dihydroxy-3,4-dimethylcyclohexadienyl radical is about 8–9, about 2 pK units below the pK_a of the parent substrate (10.4). A mechanism for the conversion of the ^•OH adduct to the dimethylphenoxyl radical is proposed. Reaction of 2,6-xylenol with H^• radicals gave exclusively the H^• adduct (hydroxycyclohexadienyl radical), whose spectral characteristics are similar to those of the related ^•OH adduct.     

Formation of hydrogen-bonded chains between a strong base with guanidine-like character and phenols with various pKa values - an FT-IR study

The complexes formed by phenols with 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-1-methyl-2H-pyrimido[1,2-a]pyrimidine (mTBD), an N-base with guanidine-like character, were studied as a function of the pK_a of the phenols by FT-IR spectroscopy. The following phenols were used: 4-cyanophenol (4-CNPh), pentachlorophenol (PCP) and 2,6-dichloro-4-nitrophenol (DNPh). In the case of chloroform solutions of 1:1 mixtures of the phenols with MTBD the corresponding complexes are formed completely. With increasing acidity of the phenols the hydrogen bonds become increasingly asymmetrical. The OH … N ⁻O … H⁺N hydrogen bond in the 4-CNPh-MTBD complex shows large proton polarizability. In the other cases only the polar structure is realized. With increasing phenol MTBD ratio, the formation of chains with two phenol molecules is observed. With decreasing pK_a of the phenols the fluctuation is limited to the phenol-phenolate bond and finally, the phenol-protonated MTBD bond begins to dissociate. In acetonitrile solutions, N⁺H … O⁻ hydrogen bonds are observed in the case of the 1:1 mixture of 4-CNPh with MTBD. A weak continuum indicates the presence of homoconjugated phenol-phenolate bonds with large proton polarizability. In the case of 2:1 mixtures only protonated MTBD and homoconjugated phenol-phenolate bonds are observed, independent of the pK_a of the phenols. The results are discussed with regard to the proton pathway in bacteriorhodopsin.     

Conformational dependence of serotonin theoretical pKa prediction

In the present work we used quantum mechanics calculations to predict the two pK_a’s of 5-hydrotryptamine (5-HT). Proton dissociation reaction succeeded to predict the experimental pK_a1 corresponding to ionization of the protonated amine group but failed for pK_a2 corresponding to ionization of the 5-hydroxyl group. For pK_a2, a cluster-continuum model including three water molecules in the first hydration shell around 5-hydroxyl and 5-hydroxide groups enabled us to reproduce the experimental pK_a2 value. Furthermore, we demonstrated that specific conformations of acid/base pair of 5-HT is critical to predict accurately the experimental pK_a’s of the flexible 5-HT molecule.     

Fundamental properties of isoelectric buffers for capillary zone electrophoresis

Different isoelectric buffers are analysed theoretically, taking into account a fundamental parameter, i.e., the ratio between intrinsic buffering power and conductivity (R=β/λ). For a model ampholyte, the above parameter is analysed both as a function of the pI and the pK_b–pK_a values. For natural pH gradients, the variation of R, connected with approaching the isoelectric point, is evaluated. A case of oligo-protic ampholytes is also considered.     

Intramolecular hydrogen-bonding in beta adrenergic blocking agents

The acid dissociation constants for nine beta-adrenergic blocking agents have been determined. Their unusually low pK_a, values are explained as being due to the formation of an intramolecular hydrogen bond, between the terminal amino group and the β-hydroxyl group on the alkanolamine side-chain which is common to this class of drugs.     

Organic photochemistry V: photochemistry of substituted Schiff''s bases—search for luminescent dyes for solar collectors

The pH dependence of the absorption and fluorescence spectra of Schiff's bases derived from 2-amino-4-phenylthiazole and aniline with substitued 2-hydroxybenzaldehydes was investigated. The pK_a values of the Schiff's bases associated with the ground state equilibria were determined spectrophotometrically. The excited state pK_a values were also estimated. Their Stokes shifts were also calculated.     

Electrochemical behaviour of triclosan at a screen-printed carbon electrode and its voltammetric determination in toothpaste and mouthrinse products

Cyclic voltammetry was used to investigate the electrochemical behaviour of triclosan (2,2,4′-trichloro-2′-hydroxydiphenyl ether) at a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE). It was found that a single anodic peak occurred over the pH range 6.0–12.0; this peak was considered to result from an irreversible oxidation reaction at the phenolic moiety. A plot of E_p versus pH was constructed and from the break point a pK_a value of 7.9 was obtained, thus agreeing with the literature value. Detailed voltammetric studies were performed at pH 10, where the analyte exists as an anion. It was demonstrated that, at an initial potential of 0 V, the anion underwent electrosorption prior to electrochemical oxidation. The oxidation reaction appeared to involve a one-electron transfer, as deduced from a calculated n_a value of 0.5; the same value was obtained at pH 7.0. In contrast to triclosan, triclosan monophosphate was found to be electrochemically inactive when subjected to voltammetry under the stated conditions.

The electrochemical oxidation of triclosan at a SPCE was exploited for its determination (0.3%) in commercial toothpaste and mouthrinse products using differential pulse voltammetry. The recovery and precision data indicated that this approach may have application in routine quality control analysis.     

七元瓜环对阿糖胞苷稳定性的影响

研究了七元瓜环(Q[7])与抗癌药物阿糖胞苷(Ara-C)的不同质子化存在形式之间的超分子相互作用, 探讨了超分子包合作用对药物电离平衡常数及药物稳定性的影响. 结果表明, Q[7]使得Ara-C的pK_a降低了约0.3个单位, Q[7]与Ara-C的2种存在形式(Ara-C⁺及Ara-C)均可形成1∶1的主客体包结配合物, Ara-C以其嘧啶环进入Q[7]空腔, 而核糖环位于瓜环端口发生相互作用; Q[7]与Ara-C作用后对药物起到保护性载体的作用, 从而提高了药物的稳定性.     

Correlation between hydration and deprotonation in hexaaqua metal complexes

The hydration energy of metallic cations determined with density functional calculations using a double-numerical plus p-polarization basis set, related to the acidity constants of hexaaqua metal complexes, was investigated in the present study. From the results calculated by Vosko-Wilk-Nusair (VWN), Becke-Perdew (BP) and Becke-Lee-Yang-Parr (BLYP) density functionals, a global linear correlation with the observed acidity constants in both main group [Mg(II), Ca(II) and Al(III)] and (post-)transition group [Mn(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), Sc(III), Cr(III), Fe(III), Ga(III) and In(III)] hexaaqua metal complexes has been established:

VWN density functional: pK_a = 16.5760 + 0.0173E_hydr kcal mol⁻¹

BP density functional: pK_a = 15.7329 + 0.0182E_hydr kcal mol⁻¹

BLYP density functional: pK_a = 15.9448 + 0.0185E_hydr kcal mol⁻¹     

Reactions of oxidizing radicals with 2- and 3-aminopyridines: a pulse radiolysis study

Reactions of OH radicals and some one-electron oxidants with 2-aminopyridine (2-AmPy) and 3-aminopyridine (3-AmPy) were studied in aqueous solutions using pulse radiolysis technique. The OH adduct of 2-AmPy at pH 9 has an absorption maximum at 360 nm along with a weak absorption band in the visible region and was found to be reactive with oxygen. The rate constant for its reaction with O₂ was determined to be 1.0×10⁸ dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹. At pH 4 also, the OH adduct of 2-AmPy has an absorption band at 360 nm. However, there are differences in the absorption at other wavelengths. From the plot of ΔOD vs. pH at 340 nm, the pK_a of the OH adduct was determined to be 6.5. Among the specific oxidants, only SO₄^−√ radicals were able to oxidize 2-AmPy. In the case of 3-aminopyridine (3-AmPy), the transient species formed by OH radical reaction at pH 9 has an absorption maximum at 410 nm with shoulder bands on both the sides. Its absorption spectrum at pH 4 was different indicating the existence of a pK value for the OH adduct. pK_a of 3-AmPy-OH radical adduct species was evaluated to be 5.7. This adduct species was also found to be reactive with oxygen (k=7.6×10⁶ dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹). Specific one-electron oxidants like N₃^√, Br₂^−√ C₂^−√ and SO₄^−√ were able to oxidize 3-AmPy indicating that it is easier to oxidize 3-AmPy as compared to 2-AmPy.     

Enantioseparation of basic pharmaceutical compounds by capillary electrophoresis using sulfated cyclodextrins. Application to E-6006, a novel antidepressant

In this study, a chiral capillary electrophoresis method was optimized and validated for E-6006, a thienylpyrazolylethanamine derivative (pK_a 8.9). Enantioselectivity of neutral and anionic cyclodextrins (CDs) was evaluated at acid pH (3), obtaining cathodic and anodic migration, respectively. Hydroxypropyl-β-CD, carboxymethyl-β-CD and sulfobutyl ether-β-CD led to similar and partial selectivity, whereas sulfate (S)-β-CD produced baseline separation of the enantiomers. Four types of sulfated CDs were compared considering: cavity size (, β, γ) and random substitution versus unique derivative (S-β-CD, 6-heptakis-S-β-CD). Complete peak separation was obtained in all cases, but with different affinity and binding strength. Some factors that play a role in the complex formation include: position/region/degree of substitution, size of CD cavity and proportion of derivatives in mixtures. Enantioaffinity and enantioselectivity increased with the average of sulfate groups/mol. β Cavity size complexed better, although and γ cavities did not compromise separation. 6-Heptakis-S-β-CD had less affinity and separation efficiency, attributed to its lower degree and unique position of substitution. The method was optimized with S-β-CD (Aldrich, randomly substituted, 7–11 groups/mol). With this selector, the effect of pH value (3–9) was evaluated. Around pH 7 the cross-over point with change in the direction and order of migration was observed, associated with great enantioselectivity and long migration times. Fine tuning was done by adjusting the CD concentration and the buffer counterion. Definitive conditions were: uncoated silica capillary, 10 mM S-β-CD–25 mM sodium phosphate, pH 3. Validation parameters are included.