Complex formation of Ag+ with polyether 18-crown-6

The complex formation of Ag⁺ with polyether 18-crown-6 (18C6) and their solvation have been studied using calorimetric and potentiometric methods in H₂O-EtOH solvents in wide range of ethanol concentration. The standard enthalpies of dissolution AgNO₃, AgClO₄ and 18C6 in aqueous-ethanol solvents are obtained. The stability of a complex [Ag18C6]⁺ grows with increasing the EtOH content a solvent. Using the method based on the thermodynamic characteristics of solvation of metal-ion, ligand and complex-ion the interpretation of the results has been given. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A heptamethine cyanine-based colorimetric and ratiometric fluorescent chemosensor for the selective detection of Ag+ in an aqueous medium

A highly selective and sensitive ratiometric fluorescent chemosensor for Ag(+) in aqueous solution was developed, in a linear range of 0.6 × 10(-7) to 50 × 10(-7) mol L(-1), based on a A-Ag(+)-A binding mode with a heptamethine cyanine motif containing one adenine moiety.     

2'-O,4'-C-aminomethylene-bridged nucleic acid modification with enhancement of nuclease resistance promotes pyrimidine motif triplex nucleic acid formation at physiological pH

Due to the instability of pyrimidine motif triplex DNA at physiological pH, triplex stabilization at physiological pH is crucial in improving its potential in various triplex-formation-based strategies in vivo, such as gene expression regulation, genomic DNA mapping, and gene-targeted mutagenesis. To this end, we investigated the thermodynamic and kinetic effects of our previously reported chemical modification, 2'-O,4'-C-aminomethylene-bridged nucleic acid (2',4'-BNA(NC)) modification of triplex-forming oligonucleotide (TFO), on triplex formation at physiological pH. The thermodynamic analyses indicated that the 2',4'-BNA(NC) modification of TFO increased the binding constant of the triplex formation at physiological pH by more than 10-fold. The number and position of the 2',4'-BNA(NC) modification in TFO did not significantly affect the magnitude of the increase in the binding constant. The consideration of the observed thermodynamic parameters suggested that the increased rigidity and the increased degree of hydration of the 2',4'-BNA(NC)-modified TFO in the free state relative to the unmodified TFO may enable the significant increase in the binding constant. Kinetic data demonstrated that the observed increase in the binding constant by the 2',4'-BNA(NC) modification resulted mainly from the considerable decrease in the dissociation rate constant. The TFO stability in human serum showed that the 2',4'-BNA(NC) modification significantly increased the nuclease resistance of TFO. Our results support the idea that the 2',4'-BNA(NC) modification of TFO could be a key chemical modification to achieve higher binding affinity and higher nuclease resistance in the triplex formation under physiological conditions, and may lead to progress in various triplex-formation-based strategies in vivo.     

Analysis of unsaturated compounds by Ag+ coordination ionspray mass spectrometry: studies of the formation of the Ag+/lipid complex

Coordination ionspray mass spectrometry (CIS-MS) is a useful tool in the detection and identification of cholesterol ester and phospholipid hydroperoxides and diacyl peroxides. Extensive studies of a series of cholesterol esters using CIS-MS revealed the following: (1) Cholesterol esters with equal number of double bonds as the internal standard showed a linear relative response in the mass spectrometer while compounds with non-equal numbers of double bonds gave a nonlinear relative response. (2) Complex adducts containing cholesterol ester, silver ion, AgF, AgBF(4), and 2-propanoxide form when silver is in molar excess of cholesterol esters, reducing the [M + Ag](+) signal. (3) In a mixture of cholesterol esters where silver is limiting, Ch22:6 and Ch20:4 bind to silver at the expense of Ch18:2 and have a higher signal in the mass spectrometer. (4) In a mixture of cholesterol esters where silver concentration is twofold greater than total cholesterol ester concentration, Ch22:6 and Ch20:4 form large complex adducts more frequently than Ch18:2 and have a lower signal in the mass spectrometer.     

Gold nanoparticle-based colorimetric sensor for studying the interactions of β-amyloid peptide with metallic ions

In this paper, a kind of β-amyloid peptide (Aβ1-16) conjugated gold nanoparticles (Aβ1-16@GNPs) are prepared and employed as colorimetric indicator for studying the interaction of β-amyloid peptide with metallic ions (e.g. Zn²⁺ and Ca²⁺). In the presence of Zn²⁺, mono-dispersing Aβ1-16@GNPs enable to form aggregates or attach on the SHG-44 (human glioma cell) cellular surface which results in significant color change of the solution. The experimental results indicate that Zn²⁺ can interact with Aβ1-16 and form Zn²⁺-β-amyloid peptide complexes. In particular, in the presence of Zn²⁺, a time-dependent interaction of cells with Aβ1-16@GNPs has been observed that may suggest different expression levels of β-amyloid peptide related proteins in various cell cycles. In addition, the aggregating/binding process can be easily reversed by adding EDTA, a good chelated ligand of Zn²⁺, which gives further proof of the interaction mechanism.     

Duplex and triplex formation of mixed pyrimidine oligonucleotides with stacking of phenyl-triazole moieties in the major groove

5-(1-Phenyl-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)-2'-deoxycytidine was synthesized from a modified CuAAC protocol and incorporated into mixed pyrimidine oligonucleotide sequences together with the corresponding 5-(1-phenyl-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)-2'-deoxyuridine. With consecutive incorporations of the two modified nucleosides, improved duplex formation with a complementary RNA and improved triplex formation with a complementary DNA duplex were observed. The improvement is due to π-π stacking of the phenyl-triazole moieties in the major groove. The strongest stacking and most pronounced positive influence on thermal stability was found in between the uridine analogues or with the cytidine analogue placed in the 3' direction to the uridine analogue. Modeling indicated a different orientation of the phenyl-triazole moieties in the major groove to account for the difference between the two nucleotides. The modified oligonucleotides were all found to be significantly stabilized toward nucleolytic degration.     

Theoretical investigation for the EPR g-factors of the mixed ground state in NaCl: Ag2+ crystals

In this paper, it is considered that the local structure of the (AgCl6)4- cluster for the NaCl: Ag2+ crystal is of the axially elongational D4h symmetry which possesses the weaker rhombic distortion at <001> lattice site. The mechanism for an admixture of the 2A1g into the ground state 2B1g is taken into account. The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) g factors of NaCl: Ag2+ are studied by using the double spin-orbit coupling model and an approximation of a semiempirical molecular orbit. The EPR g factors for the NaCl: Ag2+ crystals are reasonably explained as well as the good agreement between the calculated values and the experimental data is obtained.     

酸碱度对金纳米结构形貌的调控及其机理研究

本文通过调节环境pH酸碱度改变聚电解质膜中氨基基团的键合状态,以控制聚电解质膜表面金纳米粒子的原位还原与自组装过程中的聚集行为,发现当聚电解质膜经pH为5.40的去离子水处理后可在其表面制备出片状金纳米结构;经pH为0.65的强酸溶液处理后,可在膜表面制备出树枝状的金纳米结构,且尺寸比pH为5.40条件下增大一倍;经pH为12.77的强碱溶液处理后,金纳米粒子的聚集状态发生改变,形成了球形纳米结构;对金纳米粒子形貌的调控机理进行了初步探讨.     

Chelate formation of ammonium aurintricarboxylate with bivalent copper : Micro-determination of copper by the colorimetric method

The formation of a coloured copper II chelate by ammonium aurintricarboxylate with λmax at 540 mμ may be utilised in the colorimetric determination of cupric ions on a micro-scale. It has been found that, for satisfactory results, at least a twentyfold molar excess of the reagent should be added. The colour intensity can be measured by using a spectrophotometer or a photoelectric colorimeter with a suitable filter.The colour is stable at room temperature for sufficiently long periods, but the intensity decreases above 30°C. For the formation of a colour suitable for measurement, the pH should be within 5.3–6.7. The smallest amount of copper that can be detected by the reagent is 1.7 p.p m. Details have been worked out for the use of this reagent, and the interference by various foreign ions has been noted and tolerance limits determined spectrophotometrically.     

Enzyme-regulated the changes of pH values for assembling a colorimetric and multistage interconnection logic network with multiple readouts

Based on enzymatic reactions-triggered changes of pH values and biocomputing, a novel and multistage interconnection biological network with multiple easy-detectable signal outputs has been developed. Compared with traditional chemical computing, the enzyme-based biological system could overcome the interference between reactions or the incompatibility of individual computing gates and offer a unique opportunity to assemble multicomponent/multifunctional logic circuitries. Our system included four enzyme inputs: β-galactosidase (β-gal), glucose oxidase (GOx), esterase (Est) and urease (Ur). With the assistance of two signal transducers (gold nanoparticles and acid–base indicators) or pH meter, the outputs of the biological network could be conveniently read by the naked eyes. In contrast to current methods, the approach present here could realize cost-effective, label-free and colorimetric logic operations without complicated instrument. By designing a series of Boolean logic operations, we could logically make judgment of the compositions of the samples on the basis of visual output signals. Our work offered a promising paradigm for future biological computing technology and might be highly useful in future intelligent diagnostics, prodrug activation, smart drug delivery, process control, and electronic applications.     

Solid and solution NMR studies of the complexation of Ag+ with the trans isomer of captopril: biological activities of this high blood pressure drug along with its Ag+ complex

Complexation of Ag(+) with captopril, 1-[(2S)-3-mercapto-2-methylpropionyl]-L-proline, has been studied by (1)H and (13)C-NMR spectroscopy. The equilibrium constants for the trans to cis isomers of captopril bound to Ag(+) were measured by (1)H NMR spectroscopy. It is observed that the trans isomer of the drug binds more strongly to Ag(+) between pH 5 and 8, as shown by the broadening of the trans isomer's resonances in (13)C NMR spectra on complexation. A monodentate complexation of the trans captopril with Ag(+) via the thiol site is proposed based on the solid-state NMR and IR data. A superior antimicrobial activity is exhibited by the Cap-Ag(I) complex compared to captopril ligand itself against Heterotrotropic Plate Counts (HPC), Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Fecal streptococcus bacteria.     

Molecular dynamics simulations of the Ag+ or Na+ cation with an excess electron in bulk water

The properties of an excess electron interacting with a monovalent cation in bulk water are studied by molecular dynamics simulations. Sodium and silver cations are chosen as prototypical cases because of their very different redox properties. In both cases, mixed quantum classical molecular dynamics simulations reproduce the experimental UV-Vis spectra. In the case of silver, we observe a highly polarized neutral atom, corresponding to a dipolar excitonic state. For sodium a contact cation/electron pair is observed. Free energy curves along the cation electron coordinate are calculated using quantum Umbrella Sampling technique. The relative stability of the different chemical species is discussed.     

Theoretical investigation of the gas-phase reaction of NiO+ with ethane

To explore the mechanisms for Ni-based oxide-catalyzed oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) reactions, we investigate the reactions of C₂H₆ with NiO⁺ using density functional calculations. Two possible reaction pathways are identified, which lead to the formation of ethanol (path 1), ethylene and water (path 2). The proportion of products is discussed by Curtin-Hammett principle, and the result shows that path 2 is the main reaction channel and the water and ethylene are the main products. In order to get a deeper understanding of the titled reaction, numerous means of analysis methods including the atoms in molecules (AIM), electron localization function (ELF), natural bond orbital (NBO), and density of states (DOS) are used to study the properties of the chemical bonding evolution along the reaction pathways.

     

Theoretical investigation of the reaction of Mn+ with ethylene oxide

The potential energy surfaces of Mn(+) reaction with ethylene oxide in both the septet and quintet states are investigated at the B3LYP/DZVP level of theory. The reaction paths leading to the products of MnO(+), MnO, MnCH(2)(+), MnCH(3), and MnH(+) are described in detail. Two types of encounter complexes of Mn(+) with ethylene oxide are formed because of attachments of the metal at different sites of ethylene oxide, i.e., the O atom and the CC bond. Mn(+) would insert into a C-O bond or the C-C bond of ethylene oxide to form two different intermediates prior to forming various products. MnO(+)/MnO and MnH(+) are formed in the C-O activation mechanism, while both C-O and C-C activations account for the MnCH(2)(+)/MnCH(3) formation. Products MnO(+), MnCH(2)(+), and MnH(+) could be formed adiabatically on the quintet surface, while formation of MnO and MnCH(3) is endothermic on the PESs with both spins. In agreement with the experimental observations, the excited state a(5)D is calculated to be more reactive than the ground state a(7)S. This theoretical work sheds new light on the experimental observations and provides fundamental understanding of the reaction mechanism of ethylene oxide with transition metal cations.     

An in situ Al K-edge XAS investigation of the local environment of H+- and Cu+-exchanged USY and ZSM-5 zeolites

Aluminum coordination in the framework of USY and ZSM-5 zeolites containing charge-compensating cations (NH4+, H+, or Cu+) was investigated by Al K-edge EXAFS and XANES. This work was performed using a newly developed in-situ cell designed especially for acquiring soft X-ray absorption data. Both tetrahedrally and octahedrally coordinated Al were observed for hydrated H-USY and H-ZSM-5, in good agreement with 27Al NMR analyses. Upon dehydration, water desorbed from the zeolite, and octahedrally coordinated Al was converted progressively to tetrahedrally coordinated Al. These observations confirmed the hypothesis that the interaction of water with Br?nsted acid protons can lead to octahedral coordination of Al without loss of Al from the zeolite lattice. When H+ is replaced with NH4+ or Cu+, charge compensating species that absorb less water, less octahedrally coordinated Al was observed. Analysis of Al K-edge EXAFS data indicates that the Al-O bond distance for tetrahedrally coordinated Al in dehydrated USY and ZSM-5 is 1.67 angstroms. Simulation of k3chi(k) for Cu+ exchanged ZSM-5 leads to an estimated distance between Cu+ and framework Al atoms of 2.79 angstroms.     

Experimental and theoretical investigation of the stability of Pt-3d-Pt(111) bimetallic surfaces under oxygen environment

The stability of the Pt-3d-Pt(111) (3d = Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, or Ni) bimetallic surface structures in the presence of adsorbed oxygen has been investigated by means of density functional theory (DFT). The dissociative binding energies of oxygen on Pt-3d-Pt(111) (i.e., subsurface 3d monolayer) and 3d-Pt-Pt(111) (i.e., surface 3d monolayer) were calculated. All of the Pt-3d-Pt(111) surfaces were found to have weaker oxygen binding energies than pure Pt(111) whereas all of the 3d-Pt-Pt(111) surfaces were found to have stronger oxygen binding energies than pure Pt(111). The total heat of reaction was calculated for the segregation for 3d metal atoms from Pt-3d-Pt(111) to 3d-Pt-Pt(111) when exposed to a half monolayer of oxygen. All of the Pt-3d-Pt(111) subsurface structures were predicted to be thermodynamically unstable with adsorbed oxygen. In addition, the segregation of subsurface Ni and Co to the surfaces of Pt-Ni-Pt(111) and Pt-Co-Pt(111) was investigated experimentally using Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS). AES and HREELS confirmed the trend predicted by DFT modeling and showed that both the Pt-Ni-Pt(111) and Pt-Co-Pt(111) surface structures were unstable in the presence of adsorbed oxygen. The activation barrier of the segregation of surbsurface Ni and Co atoms was determined to be 15 +/- 2 and 7 +/- 1 kcal/mol, respectively. These results are further discussed for their implication in the design and selection of cathode bimetallic electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in polymer electrode membrane (PEM) fuel cells.     

Mass spectrometric study of the dissociation of Group XI metal complexes with fatty acids and glycerolipids: Ag2H+ and Cu2H+ ion formation in the presence of a double bond

Results of mass spectrometric studies are reported for the collisional dissociation of Group XI (Cu, Ag, Au) metal ion complexes with fatty acids (palmitic, oleic, linoleic and α-linolenic) and glycerolipids. Remarkably, the formation of M₂H⁺ ions (M = Cu, Ag) is observed as a dissociation product of the ion complexes containing more than one metal cation and only if the lipid in the complex contains a double bond. Ag₂H⁺ is formed as the main dissociation channel for all three of the fatty acids containing double bonds that were investigated while Cu₂H⁺ is formed with one of the fatty acids and, although abundant, is not the dominant dissociation channel. Also, Cu(I) and Ag(I) ion complexes were observed with glycerolipids (including triacylglycerols and glycerophospholipids) containing either saturated or unsaturated fatty acid substituents. Interestingly, Ag₂H⁺ ion is formed in a major fragmentation channel with the lipids that are able to form the complex with two metal cations (triacylglycerols and glycerophosphoglycerols), while lipids containing a fixed positive charge (glycerophospocholines) complex only with a single metal cation. The formation of Ag₂H⁺ ion is a significant dissociation channel from the complex ion [Ag₂(L–H)]⁺ where L = Glycerophospholipid (GP) (18:1/18:1). Cu(I) also forms complexes of two metal cations with glycerophospholipids but these do not produce Cu₂H⁺ upon dissociation. Rather organic fragments, not containing Cu(I), are formed, perhaps due to different interactions of these metal cations with lipids resulting from the much smaller ionic radius of Cu(I) compared to Ag(I).     

Theoretical investigation of the weak interactions of rare gas atoms with silver clusters by resonance Raman spectroscopy modeling

The interactions of rare gas atoms (Rg = Ar, Kr, and Xe) with small neutral and cationic silver clusters have been investigated by density functional methods and the effect of these weak interactions on the resonance Raman spectra of the complexes has been evaluated. The resonance Raman technique that depends on the properties of ground and excited state, seems deeply sensitive to the weak rare gas–metal cluster interactions, and the use of inert gases has been proven to be an excellent approach to recognize the ability of this technique to detect extremely weak interactions. In this work, for , and complexes the IR, normal and resonance Raman spectra have been calculated and the effect of rare gas–cluster stretching vibration ( ) on the pattern and the relative intensities of different spectra have been investigated. The resonance Raman spectra for the weakly interacted complexes (with the interaction energies less than ?2.0 kcal/mol) exhibit the vibration with the detectable intensity that its intensity increases by going from Ag₆–Ar to Ag₆–Xe complex. Moreover, the resonance Raman spectra (based on the excited state gradient approximation) for high intensity nearly degenerate excited states, proved the effect of accumulation of the excited state charge density on the relative intensity of vibration.