Charge equilibria and pK values of 5-carboxypyranomalvidin-3-glucoside (vitisin A) by electrophoresis and absorption spectroscopy

Apparent pK values of the wine pigment, 5-carboxypyranomalvidin-3-glucoside (vitisin A), were determined using UV-vis spectroscopy, viz. pK_a1=0.98 (±0.10), pK_H1=4.51 (±0.03) and pK_H2=7.57 (±0.02). An additional ionisation constant at high pH (pK_a4=8.84±0.06) was established by high-voltage paper electrophoresis. These data in conjunction with previously published pK_a values determined by high-voltage electrophoresis suggest that in wine (pH 3.2-3.8), 5-carboxypyranomalvidin-3-glucoside exists as a complex mixture of hydrated and non-hydrated, partially ionised species with the predominant species being the quinonoidal base (λ_max 498 nm).     

A new sensor for thermometric titrations

A new thermometric sensor, which is a transistor (OC71), has been introduced to follow thermometric titrations successfully to clear end points. The sensor was suitable in both normal and differential modes of titration. It is possible to titrate down to 1.32 μmol of HCl and 26.4 μmol of H₃BO₃in a final 20 ml solution with accuracy and precision of 1%, 2.2% and 1.4%, 2.2%, respectively. The sensor, in association with a pH glass electrode, was used for the determination of pK values of some well established weak acids such as, acetic acid (4.77), phosphoric acid (pK₁ = 2.18, pK₂ = 7.20 and pK₃ = 12.32) as well as for a very weak acid of uncertain pK values H₃BO₃ (pK₁ = 9.20, pK₂ = 12.7 and pK₃ = 13.80). The sensor was also examined for kinetic catalytic determination of iron(III) in water, milk and pharmaceuticals.     

Determination of the enthalpy of fusion of K3TaF8 and K3TaOF6

The areas of the fusion and crystallization peaks of K₃TaF₈ and K₃TaOF₆ have been measured using the DSC mode of the high-temperature calorimeter (SETARAM 1800 K). On the basis of these quantities and the temperature dependence of the used calorimetric method sensitivity, the values of the enthalpy of fusion of K₃TaF₈ at temperature of fusion 1039 K: Δ_fusH_m(K₃TaF₈; 1039 K) = (52 ± 2) kJ mol⁻¹ and of K₃TaOF₆ at temperature of fusion 1055 K: Δ_fusH_m(K₃TaOF₆; 1055 K) = (62 ± 3) kJ mol⁻¹ have been determined.     

Compressibility of CaZrO3 perovskite: Comparison with Ca-oxide perovskites

The evolution of the unit-cell parameters of CaZrO₃ perovskite, an orthorhombic perovskite belonging to space group Pbnm, have been determined to a pressure of 8.7 GPa at room temperature using single-crystal X-ray diffraction measurements. A fit of a third-order Birch-Murnaghan equation of state to the pressure-volume data yields values of V₀=258.04(2) Å³, K_T0=154(1) GPa and K₀′=5.9(3). Although CaZrO₃ perovskite does not exhibit any phase transitions in this pressure range, the compression of the structure is anisotropic with [010] approximately 20% less compressible than either [100] or [001]. Compressional moduli for the unit cell parameters are: K_a0=142(1) GPa and K_a0′=4.4(2), K_b0=177(2) GPa and K_b0′=9.4(5), K_c0=146(2) GPa and K_c0′=5.4(4). Comparison with other orthorhombic Ca-oxide perovskites shows that there is systematic increase in compressional anisotropy with increasing distortion from cubic symmetry.     

Thermodynamic properties of hydrated sodium l-threonate Na(C4H7O5)·H2O(s)

Low-temperature heat capacities of the compound Na(C₄H₇O₅)·H₂O(s) have been measured with an automated adiabatic calorimeter. A solid-solid phase transition and dehydration occur at 290-318 K and 367-373 K, respectively. The enthalpy and entropy of the solid-solid transition are Δ_transH_m = (5.75 ± 0.01) kJ mol⁻¹ and Δ_transS_m = (18.47 ± 0.02) J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹. The enthalpy and entropy of the dehydration are Δ_dH_m = (15.35 ± 0.03) kJ mol⁻¹ and Δ_dS_m = (41.35 ± 0.08) J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹. Experimental values of heat capacities for the solids (I and II) and the solid-liquid mixture (III) have been fitted to polynomial equations.     

Crystal structure and the standard molar enthalpy of formation of a coordination polymer [Cu(nip)(phen)]n

A coordination polymer [Cu(nip)(phen)]_n was hydrothermally synthesized by the reaction of Cu(NO₃)₂ with 5-nitroisophthalic acid and phen. Single-crystal structure analysis showed that the complex crystallized in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c; a = 10.6566(13); b = 12.5931(15); c = 13.0514(16) Å; β = 95.474(2)°, V = 1743.5(4) Å³; Z = 4. The standard molar enthalpy of formation of the complex was determined to be −554 ± 11 kJ mol⁻¹.     

The measurement of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase 4 activities via the quantification of inorganic phosphate with malachite green

A spectrometric method was investigated to measure the activities of recombinant human cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4), based on the use of malachite green (MLG) to quantify phosphate released from adenosine-5′-monophosphate (AMP) by the action of calf intestinal alkaline phosphatase (CIAP). Glycerol at 2% stabilized the complex between MLG and phosphomolybdate, whose absorbance at 630 nm was proportional to phosphate concentrations with resistance to common substances in PDE4 reaction mixtures except papaverine. CIAP had the Michaelis-Menten constant (K_m) of (12.0 ± 2.1) μM (n = 3) for AMP at pH 7.4, and was resistant to EDTA below 0.20 mM. By the coupled end-point assay at 30.0 U L⁻¹ CIAP with reaction durations within 30 min, the rates to release phosphate in PDE4 reaction mixtures containing 10.0 mM MgCl₂ and 0.10 mM EDTA linearly responded to the amounts of PDE4 over wide ranges. Meanwhile, K_m of PDE4 was (8.8 ± 0.2) μM (n = 2), zinc ion inhibited PDE4 and rolipram had the inhibition constant about 10 nM. These results supported that by the coupled end-point assay, this method was promising to screen of PDE inhibitors that had no interference with the MLG assay of phosphate.     

Iodomethane oxidative addition and CO migratory insertion in monocarbonylphosphine complexes of the type [Rh((C6H5)COCHCO((CH2)nCH3))(CO)(PPh3)]: Steric and electronic effects

The chemical kinetics, studied by UV/Vis, IR and NMR, of the oxidative addition of iodomethane to [Rh((C₆H₅)COCHCOR)(CO)(PPh₃)], with R = (CH₂)_nCH₃, n = 1-3, consists of three consecutive reaction steps that involves isomers of two distinctly different classes of Rh^III-alkyl and two distinctly different classes of Rh^III-acyl species. Kinetic studies on the first oxidative addition step of [Rh((C₆H₅)COCHCOR)(CO)(PPh₃)] + CH₃I to form [Rh((C₆H₅)COCHCOR)(CH₃)(CO)(PPh₃)(I)] revealed a second order oxidative addition rate constant approximately 500-600 times faster than that observed for the Monsanto catalyst [Rh(CO)₂I₂]⁻. The reaction rate of the first oxidative addition step in chloroform was not influenced by the increasing alkyl chain length of the R group on the β-diketonato ligand: k₁ = 0.0333 ([Rh((C₆H₅)COCHCO(CH₂CH₃))(CO)(PPh₃)]), 0.0437 ([Rh((C₆H₅)COCHCO(CH₂CH₂CH₃))(CO)(PPh₃)]) and 0.0354 dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹ ([Rh((C₆H₅)COCHCO(CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃))(CO)(PPh₃)]). The pK_a^′ and keto-enol equilibrium constant, K_c, of the β-diketones (C₆H₅)COCH₂COR, along with apparent group electronegativities, χ_R of the R group of the β-diketones (C₆H₅)COCH₂COR, give a measurement of the electron donating character of the coordinating β-diketonato ligand: (R, pK_a^′, K_c, χ_R) = (CH₃, 8.70, 12.1, 2.34), (CH₂CH₃, 9.33, 8.2, 2.31), (CH₂CH₂CH₃, 9.23, 11.5, 2.41) and (CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃, 9.33, 11.6, 2.22).     

Crystal growth, structure determination, and optical properties of new potassium-rare-earth silicates K3RESi2O7 (RE=Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu)

Single crystals of K₃RESi₂O₇ (RE=Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu) were grown from a potassium fluoride flux. Two different structure types were found for this series. Silicates containing the larger rare earths, RE=Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb crystallize in a structure K₃RESi₂O₇ that contains the rare-earth cation in both a slightly distorted octahedral and an ideal trigonal prismatic coordination environment, while in K₃LuSi₂O₇, containing the smallest of the rare earths, lutetium is found solely in an octahedral coordination environment. The structure of K₃LuSi₂O₇ crystallizes in space group P6₃/mmc with a=5.71160(10) Å and c=13.8883(6) Å. The structures containing the remaining rare earths crystallize in the space group P6₃/mcm with the lattice parameters of a=9.9359(2) Å, c=14.4295(4) Å, (K₃GdSi₂O₇); a=9.88730(10) Å, c=14.3856(3) Å, (K₃TbSi₂O₇); a=9.8673(2) Å, c=14.3572(4) Å, (K₃DySi₂O₇); a=9.8408(3) Å, c=14.3206(6) Å, (K₃HoSi₂O₇); a=9.82120(10) Å, c=14.2986(2) Å, (K₃ErSi₂O₇); a=9.80200(10) Å, c=14.2863(4) Å, (K₃TmSi₂O₇); a=9.78190(10) Å, c=14.2401(3) Å, (K₃YbSi₂O₇). The optical properties of the silicates were investigated and K₃TbSi₂O₇ was found to fluoresce in the visible.     

K2Mo4O13 phases prepared by hydrothermal synthesis

Hydrothermal synthesis in the K-Mo oxide system was investigated as a function of the pH of the reaction medium. Four compounds were formed, including two K₂Mo₄O₁₃ phases. One is a new low-temperature polymorph, which crystallizes in the orthorhombic, space group Pbca, with Z=8 and unit cell dimensions a=7.544(1) Å, b=15.394(2) Å, c=18.568(3) Å. The other is the known triclinic K₂Mo₄O₁₃, whose structure was re-determined from single crystal data; its cell parameters were determined as a=7.976(2) Å, b=8.345(2) Å, c=10.017(2) Å, α=107.104(3)°, β=102.885(3)°, γ=109.760(3)°, which are the standard settings of the crystal lattice. The orthorhombic phase converts endothermically into triclinic phase at ca. 730 K with a heat of transition of 8.31 kJ/mol.     

Synthesis,crystal structure,magnetic property and DNA cleavage activity of a new terephthalate-bridged tetranuclear copper(II) complex

A new terephthalate-bridged tetranuclear copper(II) complex has been synthesized and structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography: [Cu₄(L)₂(tp)(dmf)₂] (1) (H₃L = 1,3-bis(salicylideneamino)propan-2-ol, tp = terephthalate and dmf = N,N′-dimethylformamide). The dinucleating pentadentate character of the ligand (H₃L) and the desired pair-of-dimers arrangement, through the incorporation of the bridging terephthalate moiety, is clearly evident from the structure of 1. The copper atoms are coordinated in a slightly distorted square pyramidal arrangement within each dinucleating half of the complex and are bridged mono-atomically by the secondary alkoxo oxygen of the ligand and di-atomically by the terephthalate moiety. The apical position is occupied by the oxygen atom of the dmf. The structure of 1 reveals a short intramolecular Cu–Cu separation (ca. 3.1 Å), in combination with long intramolecular copper separations (ca. 11 Å). The variable temperature-dependent susceptibility measurement (2–300 K) of 1 reveals a dominant ferromagnetic coupling, 2J = 18.70 cm⁻¹. Complex 1 binds to double-stranded CT (calf-thymus) DNA giving a K_app value of 1.25 × 10⁷ M⁻¹ and displays efficient cleavage of supercoiled pUC19 DNA in the presence of H₂O₂ following a hydroxyl radical pathway.     

Synthesis and binding properties of a macrocycle with two binding subcavities

A large, covalent macrocycle that can be served as an artificial allosteric model was prepared in a reasonable yield (36%) through the template-directed synthesis. The macrocycle contains two topologically discrete subcavities, each of which consists of four amide NHs of pyridine-2,6-dicarboxamide units. The macrocycle strongly binds two molecules of N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylterephthalamide in positive cooperative manner by hydrogen-bonding interactions. The association constants were calculated to be K₁ = 1480 ± 90 and K₂ = 5580 ± 150 M⁻¹ with the Hill coefficient (h) of 1.6 at 25 °C in CDCl₃.     

Synthesis, structure characterization and optical properties of a new tripotassium cadmium pentaborate, K3CdB5O10

A new ternary borate oxide, K₃CdB₅O₁₀, has been synthesized by solid-state reaction at 580 °C. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with a=7.6707 (7) Å, b=19.1765 (17) Å, c=7.8784 (6) Å, β=115.6083 (49)°, and Z=4. The crystal structure consists of a two-dimensional infinite [CdB₅O₁₀] layer, which forms by connecting isolated double ring [B₅O₁₀] groups and CdO₄ tetrahedra. K atoms filling in the interlayer and intralayer link the layers together and balance charge. The IR spectrum has been studied and confirmed the presence of both BO₃ and BO₄ groups, and the UV-vis-IR diffuse reflectance spectrum exhibits a band gap of about 3.4 eV. The DSC analysis proves that K₃CdB₅O₁₀ is a congruent melting compound.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and thermochemical behaviour of a barium complex [Ba(5-OH-BDC)(H2O)3] [5-OH-H2BDC = 5-hydroxyisophtalic acid]

A novel complex [Ba(5-OH-BDC)(H₂O)₃] [5-OH-H₂BDC = 5-hydroxyisophtalic acid] was synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography. The complex is Monoclinic P2₁/c, a = 11.1069(4), b = 14.8192(6), c = 6.5005(2) Å, β = 103.465(3)° and Z = 4, which exhibits a three-dimensional framework formed by linkage of adjacent two-dimensional (6, 3) layers via intermolecular hydrogen bonds. The title complex has been studied by IR spectrum and TG-DTG. The constant-volume combustion energy of the complex, Δ_cU, was determined as being (−3210.45 ± 1.41) kJ mol⁻¹ by a precise rotating-bomb calorimeter at 298.15 K. The standard enthalpy of combustion, , and the standard enthalpy of formation, , were calculated as being (−3207.97 ± 1.41) and (−1922.80 ± 1.76) kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. A calculation model for determining the specific heat capacity of the complex with an improved RD496-III microcalorimeter is also derived. The specific heat capacity of the complex was (6158.387 ± 0.187) J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹.     

Q-mode curve resolution of UV-vis spectra for structural transformation studies of anthocyanins in acidic solutions

Chemometric analysis of ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectra for pH values 1.0, 3.3, 5.3, and 6.9 was used to investigate the kinetics and the structural transformations of anthocyanins in extracts of calyces of hibiscus flowers of the Hibiscus acetosella Welw. ex Finicius for the first time. Six different species were detected: the quinoidal base (A), the flavylium cation (AH⁺), the pseudobase or carbinol pseudobase (B), cis-chalcone (C_C), trans-chalcone (C_t), and ionized cis-chalcone (⁻CC). Four equilibrium constant values were calculated using relative concentrations, hydration, pK_h = 2.60 ± 0.01, tautomeric, K_T = 0.14 ± 0.01, acid-base, pK_a = 4.24 ± 0.04, and ionization of the cis-chalcone, pKCC=8.74±1.5×1⁰−2. The calculated protonation rate of the tautomers is KH+=0.08±7.6×10⁻³. These constants are in excellent agreement with those measured previously in salt form. From a kinetic viewpoint, the situation encountered is interesting since the reported investigation is limited to visible light absorption in acid medium. These models have not been reported in the literature.     

A reagentless DNA biosensor based on cathodic electrochemiluminescence at a C/CxO1−x electrode

A reagentless signal-on electrochemiluminescence (ECL) biosensor for DNA hybridization detection was developed based on the quenching effect of ferrocene (Fc) on intrinsic cathodic ECL at thin oxide covered glassy carbon (C/C_xO_1−x) electrodes. To construct the DNA biosensor, molecular beacon (MB) modified with ferrocene (3′-Fc) was attached to a C/C_xO_1−x electrode via the covalent bound between labeled amino (5′-NH₂) and surface functional groups. It was found that the immobilization of the probe on the electrode surface mainly depended on the fraction of surface carbonyl moiety. When a complementary target DNA (cDNA) was present, the stem-loop of MB on the electrode was converted into a linear double-helix configuration due to hybridization, resulting in the moving away of Fc from the electrode surface, and the restoring of the cathodic ECL signal. The restoration of the ECL intensity was linearly changed with the logarithm of cDNA concentration in the range of 1.0 × 10⁻¹¹ to 7.0 × 10⁻⁸ M, and the detection limit was ca. 5.0 pM (S/N = 3). Additionally, single-base mismatched DNA can be effectively discriminated from the cDNA. The great advantage of the biosensor lies in its simplicity and cost-effective with ECL generated from the electrode itself, and no adscititious luminophore is required.     

Dielectric properties of some MM′O4 and MTiM′O6 (M=Cr, Fe, Ga; M′=Nb, Ta, Sb) rutile-type oxides

We describe an investigation of the structure and dielectric properties of MM′O₄ and MTiM′O₆ rutile-type oxides for M=Cr, Fe, Ga and M′=Nb, Ta and Sb. All the oxides adopt a disordered rutile structure (P4₂/mnm) at ambient temperature. A partial ordered trirutile-type structure is confirmed for FeTaO₄ from the low temperature (17 K) neutron diffraction studies. While both the MM′O₄ oxides (CrTaO₄ and FeTaO₄) investigated show a normal dielectric property MTiM′O₆ oxides for M=Fe, Cr and M′=Nb/Ta/Sb display a distinct relaxor/relaxor-like response. Significantly the corresponding gallium analogs, GaTiNbO₆ and GaTiTaO₆, do not show a relaxor response at T<500 K.     

Study of the in vitro degradation of poly(ethyl glyoxylate)

In vitro degradation of poly(ethyl glyoxylate) (PEtG), a functionalised polyacetal, was investigated. First, the thermodynamic polymerization parameters and the ceiling temperature (T_c) were determined (ΔH_p = 28 ± 3 kJ mol⁻¹, ΔS_p = 98 ± 7 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹, T_c = 310 ± 4 K). Secondly, PEtG hydrolysis was investigated using potentiometry, weight loss measurements, SEC and ¹H NMR. The results show that PEtG is stable for at least 7 days in aqueous media. Then degradation occurs and releases ethanol and glyoxylic acid hydrate as final products. A scheme for the degradation mechanism involving chain scission and ester hydrolysis is proposed.     

Thermodynamic properties of BaCeO3 and BaZrO3 at low temperatures

Specific heat capacities (C_p) of polycrystalline samples of BaCeO₃ and BaZrO₃ have been measured from about 1.6 K up to room temperature by means of adiabatic calorimetry. We provide corrected experimental data for the heat capacity of BaCeO₃ in the range T < 10 K and, for the first time, contribute experimental data below 53 K for BaZrO₃. Applying Debye's T³-law for T → 0 K, thermodynamic functions as molar entropy and enthalpy are derived by integration. We obtain C_p = 114.8 (±1.0) J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹, S° = 145.8 (±0.7) J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹ for BaCeO₃ and C_p = 107.0 (±1.0) J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹, S° = 125.5 (±0.6) J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹ for BaZrO₃ at 298.15 K. These results are in overall agreement with previously reported studies but slightly deviating, in both cases. Evaluations of C_p(T) yield Debye temperatures and identify deviations from the simple Debye-theory due to extra vibrational modes as well as anharmonicity. The anharmonicity turns out to be more pronounced at elevated temperatures for BaCeO₃. The characteristic Debye temperatures determined at T = 0 K are Θ₀ = 365 (±6) K for BaCeO₃ and Θ₀ = 402 (±9) K for BaZrO₃.     

The binuclear trimethyl/triethylantimony(V) bis-catecholate derivatives of four-electron reduced 4,4′-di-(3-methyl-6-tert-butyl-o-benzoquinone)

The reaction of 4,4′-di-(3-methyl-6-tert-butyl-o-benzoquinone) (Q-Q) with trimethyl- or triethylstibine proceeds as a two-electron oxidative addition of each quinone moiety and allows to prepare binuclear bis-catecholates R₃Sb(Cat-Cat)SbR₃ with a nearly quantitative yield (R = Me, 1; R = Et, 2). The products 1 and 2 were characterized by IR-, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. Molecular structure of triethylantimony(V) bis-catecholate 2 was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray analysis. Each Sb(V) atom adopts square pyramidal geometry with Cat moiety in basal positions, dihedral angle between Cat fragments is 74.27(5)°. The oxidation of bis-catecholates by ferrocenium tetrafluoroborate or tetrabromo-p-benzoquinone leads to loss of one trialkylantimony(V) moiety forming paramagnetic salts containing one-side decoordinated mononuclear semiquinone-catecholato [R₃Sb(Cat-SQ)]⁻ anion detected by EPR. The oxidation of 1 by air oxygen allows to prepare mononuclear quinone-catecholate Me₃Sb(Cat-Q) (3).