Spectrophotometric and potentiometric study of the acid—base equilibria of indophenols in aqueous media

Six indophenols, with redox and acid—base indicator properties, have been examined by spectrophotometric and potentiometric methods. By analysing the absorption spectra obtained at different pH values, three independent values were obtained for their K_Ox dissociation constants, which are closely related to their properties as acid—base indicators. Three of the indophenols have also been examined by acid—base and redox potentiometric titrations. All K_Ox and E° values agree well with polarographic values. The use of these substances as visual acid—base and redox indicators is discussed.     

Study of solvent and pH dependence of the absorption and luminescence characteristics of 2-hydroxycarbazole

Electronic absorption and fluorescence spectra in different solvents have indicated that 2-hydroxycarbazole behaves as proton donor in both ground and electronically excited singlet states. In aqueous solutions, five prototropic species of 2-hydroxycarbazole have been detected and the prototropism has been established by the study of 2-methoxycarbazole. Acidity constants of the various acid—base equilibria have indicated that the behaviour of the molecule is similar in both ground and excited singlet states.     

The dye-sensitized photo-oxidation chemiluminescence of luminol

Abstract— The chemiluminescence reaction of luminol has been investigated using conditions of methylene blue photosensitized oxidation. The quantum yields of chemiluminescence obtained were dependent upon temperature and the concentrations of luminol and base; and under the optimum conditions of high temperature and low luminol concentration, the value of the quantum yield approached that for the chemical reaction where the oxidant is hydrogen peroxide and catalyst. An analysis of the results suggests that it is not the primary species produced on photosensitization which is responsible for the chemiluminescent reaction, but a species produced by reaction of the primary species with base.     

Complexation between Methyl Viologen (Paraquat) Bis(Hexafluorophosphate) and Dibenzo[24]Crown‐8 Revisited

Paraquat bis(hexafluorophosphate) undergoes stepwise dissociation in acetone. All three species—the neutral molecule, and the mono‐ and dications—are represented significantly under the experimental conditions typically used in host–guest binding studies. Paraquat forms at least four host–guest complexes with dibenzo[24]crown‐8. They are characterized by both 1:1 and 1:2 stoichiometries, and an overall charge of either zero (neutral molecule) or one (monocation). The monocationic 1:1 host–guest complex is the most abundant species under typical (0.5–20 mM ) experimental conditions. The presence of the dicationic 1:1 host–guest complex cannot be excluded on the basis of our experimental data, but neither is it unambiguously confirmed to be present. The two confirmed forms of paraquat that do undergo complexation—the neutral molecule and the monocation—exhibit approximately identical binding affinities toward dibenzo[24]crown‐8. Thus, the relative abundance of neutral, singly, and doubly charged pseudorotaxanes is identical to the relative abundance of neutral, singly, and doubly charged paraquat unbound with respect to the crown ether in acetone. In the specific case of paraquat/dibenzo[24]crown‐8, ion‐pairing does not contribute to host–guest complex formation, as has been suggested previously in the literature.     

Polymers for Anion Recognition and Sensing

In biological systems, the selective and high‐affinity recognition of anionic species is accomplished by macromolecular hosts (anion‐binding proteins) that have been “optimized” through evolution. Surprisingly, it is only recently that chemists have systematically attempted to develop anion‐responsive synthetic macromolecules for potential applications in medicine, national security, or environmental monitoring. Recent results indicating that unique features of polymeric systems such as signal amplification, multivalency, and cooperative behavior may be exploited productively in the context of anion recognition and sensing are documented. The wide variety of interactions—including Lewis acid/base, ion‐pairing, and hydrogen bonding—that have been employed for this purpose is reflected in the structural diversity of anion‐responsive macromolecules identified to date.     

Electrochemical oxidation of guanosine and adenosine: Two convergent pathways

We herein explore a novel route for oxidative stress in DNA by using electrochemistry as mimicking tool. Essentially, the electrochemical oxidation of guanine and adenine nucleosides and oligo-homo-nucleotides at pyrolytic graphite electrodes in neutral and alkaline aqueous solutions was studied. Under these experimental conditions all these compounds give rise to an adsorbed product not previously described, which was electrochemically and kinetically characterized. The virtually identical kinetic and electrochemical features exhibited by the oxidized compounds generated from all precursors strongly suggest a common species arising from both adenine and guanine derivatives. Supported by DFT calculations, we propose two convergent pathways for the electrochemical oxidation of adenosine and guanosine. Those calculations indicate that the common oxidized base product forms stable H-bond base pairs with both thymine and cytosine.     

Wavelength regulation in visual pigment chromophore. Large induced bathochromic shifts in retinol and related polyenes

Abstract— Low temperature techniques are used to record spectra of long wavelength absorbing electrochromic species formed from retinol and related compounds. Formation of these electrochromic species is induced either by iodine or trichloroacetic acid which merely act as acids. The electrochromic species are the corresponding carbonium ions of the respective polyenes. The resulting carbonium ions of a given polyene are identical regardless of whether they are formed by iodine or trichloroacetic acid. The molecular structures of the carbonium ions can be written with certainty. Consequently, the exact nature of the π-electron system in the polyene and its carbonium ion may be elucidated.     

The mechanism of Tröger's base formation probed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Using direct infusion electrospray ionization mass and tandem mass spectrometric experiments [ESI-MS(/MS)], we have performed on-line monitoring of some reactions used to form Tr?ger's bases. Key intermediates, either as cationic species or as protonated forms of neutral species, have been intercepted and characterized. The role of urotropine as the methylene source in these reactions has also been accessed. Reaction pathways shown by ESI-MS(/MS) have been probed by gas-phase ion/molecule reactions, and an expanded mechanism for Tr?ger's base formation based on the mass spectrometric data has been elaborated.     

ETUDE PAR FLUORESCENCE DE BASES DE SCHIFF DU PYRIDOXAL, COMPARAISON AVEC LA L ASPARTATE-AMINOTRANSFERASE

Abstract— –Absorption and emission spectra of Schiff bases of pyridoxal-HCI or pyridoxal-5-phosphate with L-valine, n -butylamine or N-α-acetyl-L-lysine-N-methylamide have been studied as a function of pH. We can write the complete ionization diagram and equilibria. The results of Martell[6] are confirmed: the forms analogous to the coenzyme in aspartate aminotransferase, which absorb at 410 nm and 360 nm (or 340 nm for the Schiff base with n-butyl-amine) have the phenol OH ionized; the imine nitrogen is protonated for species absorbing at 410nm (in the enzyme: inactive form and complex with aminoacid) and unprotonated for species absorbing at 360 nm (in the enzyme, active form). Their fluorescence wavelengths are respectively 500 nm and 430 nm. Protonation of the pyridine nitrogen of these forms does not shift the absorption band; the fluorescence intensity is 20-fold greater for the N-protonated forms.
The real pK of the imine nitrogen is 8.5 ±0.8 for species with pyridine N-protonated or 10.4 for the non-protonated forms. The observed pK 6.3 in the enzyme can be explained if the imine nitrogen is hydrogen bonded to an amino-acid side chain of the protein: lysine, tyrosine, serine, sulfhydryl.
The quantum yield of the coenzyme fluorescence in the enzyme has been compared to that of the analogous Schiff base (absorbing at the same wavelength). According to the results, we cannot deduce whether the pyridine nitrogen is protonated in pyridoxal form of the enzyme.
If it is protonated, as in the pyridoxamine form, the coenzyme environment is not the same in the two forms. If the pyridine nitrogen is unprotonated in the pyridoxal form and protonated in the pyridoxamine form, the environment of the coenzyme is the same in these two forms of the enzyme.     

Solvent effects on the electronic spectral characteristics of carbazone

The electronic spectra of carbazone in a number of organic solvents of different properties have been examined. It is deduced that in dilute solutions of basic solvents, carbazone (H₂L) exists in acid—base equilibrium (H₂L ⇋ HL⁻ + H⁺). The proportional concentration of the base form (HL⁻) in a medium is largely dependent on the carbazone concentration, basicity of the organic solvent and the tendency of stabilization of the HL⁻ form through H-bond interaction with protic solvent molecules. The observed absorption bands belonging to absorption of both H₂L and HL⁻ forms are assigned to a transition involving the whole solute associated with intramolecular CT transition. The longer wavelength band appearing in the spectra of the H₂L form in the weak basic solvents (acetonitrile, acetone, dioxane and CCl₄) is suggested to be due to absorption of the solvated polar complex resulting from interaction of solvent polarity with the polar solute carbonyl group.     

Investigations on the secondary structure of 5S-ribonucleic acids by means of pattern recognition

Since the sequence of nucleotides for 5S-ribonucleic acid (5S-RNA) from E. coli was reported in 1967, the secondary structure of this RNA molecule has been discussed. As procaryotic 5S-RNA molecules are functionally identical, they are exchangeable without losing their biological activity, and it is supposed that their secondary structures are also similar. Various workers have concluded that the secondary structure proposed by Fox and Woese is the most likely, although the number of Watson—Crick base-pairs in this structure (24) is less than the number (32) by infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance methods. Application of pattern recognition techniques to Tinoco matrix representations of the secondary structure of 5S-RNA molecules of fifteen different species in all 5S-RNA molecules shows that the helix centre of the Fox—Woese structure is correct. The number of base-pairs can be extended from 25 in this structure up to 29.     

Acid—base titrations in aqueous micellar systems

Some water-insoluble carboxylic acids and amines have been titrated in aqueous surfactant solutions to demonstrate that solubilization in micelles provides a useful solvent system for certain acid—base titrations. Potentiometric titrations can be very slow because of electrode drift in these solutions, but visual titrations are convenient. Observed pK shifts are generally interpretable in terms of the influence of micellar charge on the work of proton removal.     

The dehydroalanine effect in the fragmentation of ions derived from polypeptides

The fragmentation of peptides and proteins upon collision‐induced dissociation (CID) is highly dependent on sequence and ion type (e.g. protonated, deprotonated, sodiated, odd electron, etc.). Some amino acids, for example aspartic acid and proline, have been found to enhance certain cleavages along the backbone. Here, we show that peptides and proteins containing dehydroalanine, a non‐proteinogenic amino acid with an unsaturated side‐chain, undergo enhanced cleavage of the N—Cα bond of the dehydroalanine residue to generate c‐ and z‐ions. Because these fragment ion types are not commonly observed upon activation of positively charged even‐electron species, they can be used to identify dehydroalanine residues and localize them within the peptide or protein chain. While dehydroalanine can be generated in solution, it can also be generated in the gas phase upon CID of various species. Oxidized S‐alkyl cysteine residues generate dehydroalanine upon activation via highly efficient loss of the alkyl sulfenic acid. Asymmetric cleavage of disulfide bonds upon collisional activation of systems with limited proton mobility also generates dehydroalanine. Furthermore, we show that gas‐phase ion/ion reactions can be used to facilitate the generation of dehydroalanine residues via, for example, oxidation of S‐alkyl cysteine residues and conversion of multiply‐protonated peptides to radical cations. In the latter case, loss of radical side‐chains to generate dehydroalanine from some amino acids gives rise to the possibility for residue‐specific backbone cleavage of polypeptide ions. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Reactions of Donor–Acceptor Cyclopropanes with Naphthoquinones: Redox and Lewis Acid Catalysis Working in Concert

Reactions of 2‐arylcyclopropane dicarboxylates with naphthoquinones are reported. The key feature was the use of catalytic amounts of SnCl₂, which acts as both an electron donor and a Lewis acid. By an in situ umpolung of naphthoquinone the formerly electrophilic species is converted into a nucleophile that is able to trigger the ring‐opening of the three‐membered ring with formation of a new C−C bond. Treatment of these products with base under oxidative conditions resulted—through loss of methyl formate—in cyclopentannulated products with fully conjugated π systems exhibiting intensive absorptions in the visible range.     

Complex formation of nitrobenzoic acids and some naphthalene derivatives withβ-cyclodextrin

Host-guest complexation of benzoic acid, its nitro-derivatives, 1- and 2-naphthols and 1- and 2-naphthylamines with-cyclodextrin have been investigated by a spectrophotometric method. Formation constants for both the conjugate acid and base forms have been determined. Only in the case of 4-nitrobenzoic acid, is a more stable complex formed with the ionic species, compared with the undissociated one, supporting the assumption that resonance charge delocalisation and London dispersion interactions are responsible for their stability. With naphthalene derivatives, the 2-isomers give more stable complexes indicating deeper penetration into the cyclodextrin cavity.     

Mononuclear metal complexes of organic carboxylic acid derivatives: synthesis, spectroscopic characterization, thermal investigation and antimicrobial activity

Two Schiff base ligands bearing organic acid moiety, vis., N-(2-thienylmethylidene)-2-amino-4-chlorobenzoic acid (HL(1)) and N-(2-hydroxybenzylidene)-2-amino-4-chlorobenzoic acid (H(2)L(2)) have been synthesized by the interaction of 2-thiophenecarboxaldehyde and 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde with 2-amino-4-chlorobenzoic acid. Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes of these ligands have been prepared. They are characterized on the basis of analytical data, molar conductance, IR, (1)H NMR, UV-vis, mass spectra, magnetic measurements, thermal analysis and X-ray powder diffraction technique. The molar conductance data reveal that these complexes are non-electrolytes. The ligands are coordinated to the metal ions in a terdentate manner with ONO/ONS donor sites of the carbonyl oxygen, azomethine nitrogen and phenolic oxygen or thiophenic sulphur. An octahedral structure is proposed for the prepared metal complexes and some ligand field parameters (D(q), B and beta) in addition to CFSE were calculated. The thermal stability of the metal complexes is evaluated. The Schiff base ligands and their metal complexes have been tested against four species of bacteria as well as four species of fungi and the results have been compared with some known antibiotics.     

Acid—base equilibria in the mixed solvent 80% dimethyl sulfoxide—20% water : Part I. definition of ph scale and determination of pk values of aliphatic monocarboxylic acids

The acid—base equilibria in the mixed solvent, 80% dimethyl sulfoxide—water, have been investigated by potentiometric measurements with a glass—silver—silver chloride electrode couple. The response of the glass electrode is quick and reproducible over the whole pH scale. The autoprotolysis constant (itK_SH) of the mixed solvent has been determined; the value obtained, pK_SH = 18.40, agrees well with reported data. The pK_a values of the following aliphatic monocarboxylic acids are reported: formic, acetic, propionic, n-butyric, iso-butyric, n-valeric, iso-valeric, capric, pentadecanoic, stearic, monochloroacetic. The mixed solvent offers better titration conditions than water for the determination of these acids.     

The Rich Tautomeric Behavior of Campestarenes

Campestarenes are a new family of Schiff‐base macrocycles that form selectively in a one‐step synthesis. These macrocycles with five‐fold symmetry show solvent‐dependent tautomerization and dimerization or aggregation. In this paper, we have prepared new soluble campestarenes that do not aggregate. The initial single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction study of a campestarene reveals that these macrocycles are nearly flat. The tautomeric behavior of the campestarenes has been extensively studied by variable‐temperature, multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, UV/Vis spectroscopy, and IR spectroscopy. In polar solvents, such as DMF, the molecules exist predominantly in their keto‐enamine form, but the enol‐imine tautomer is dominant in non‐polar solvents. A detailed computational study of the tautomeric forms of campestarenes provides a theoretical basis for their behavior and corroborates the experimental data. The results of this study give the first comprehensive understanding of the electronic and spectroscopic properties of these pentagonal macrocycles.     

AN EPR STUDY ON THE TRIPLET STATE OF PURINE FREE BASE IN AQUEOUS GLASSES AT 77 K

Abstract— Since purine free base in aqueous solution exists in different ionic forms at different pHs and most of its photoreactions are likely to involve the triplet excited states of these different ionic forms, electron paramagnetic resonance studies (EPR) have been performed in order to determine intersystem crossing quantum yields and other characteristic parameters of the excited triplet state of these forms. Intersystem crossing yields decrease with a decrease in pH, being 0.62, 0.37 and 0.10 in 8 M NaOH, 8 M NaCIO₄ and 6M H₃P0₄ glasses, respectively. Differences in triplet decay lifetimes 3.4, 2.5 and 3.1 s, as well as in root mean-square zero-field splitting (ZFS) parameter, D_*, (0,1304, 0.1512 and 0.1353 cm_-1) are also observed for the anionic, neutral and cationic species of purine free base. The EPR signals of the triplet state of the neutral and anionic forms have been observed simultaneously in the pH range of7–10.     

Emission Characteristics of some 8-(arylazo)-7-hydroxy-4-methylcoumarins

The emission characteristics of some new 8-(arylazo)-7-hydroxy-4-methylcoumarins have been studied. Both emission and excitation spectra are pH-dependent and in alkaline media the emission from anionic species becomes dominant with emission maxima at ca 450 nm. The fluorescence quantum yields (φ_f) have been measured. Unlike many other coumarins, the present compounds give no laser action upon pumping with nitrogen laser (λ_ex = 337.1 nm) presumably because of their low φ_f values. The excited state acid—base behaviour of some derivatives has also been evaluated.