Adsorption of charged macromolecules at a gold electrode

Using an optical reflectometer with impinging-jet system, the adsorption from aqueous solution onto gold of three charged macromolecules has been studied: the strong linear-chain polyelectrolyte polyvinyl pyridine (PVP(+)), the fifth-generation poly(propylene imine) dendrimer DAB-64, which has a pH-dependent charge and a relatively fixed shape, and the protein lysozyme, of which both the charge and the structure-stability are dependent on solution composition. Experimental conditions that have been varied include the adsorbate concentration, electrolyte concentration, pH, and externally applied potential across the gold/solution interface. Making use of the earlier established dependency of the double layer potential of the gold substrate on solution conditions and externally applied potential, the results of measurements as a function of pH and as a function of external potential control are compared. The total set of results enables us to draw conclusions with respect to the relative importance of electrostatic interactions for the adsorption process. PVP(+) adsorption follows the electric potential of the gold/solution interface and is further determined by a rather strong nonelectrostatic affinity between segments and surface. The adsorption behavior of DAB-64 is not quite understood, but electrostatic interactions with the gold surface seem to play a minor role. For lysozyme, surface-induced conformational changes dominate the adsorption process. The extent of spreading of the molecules decreases with increasing polarity of the surface, resulting in a minimum in adsorbed amount around the point of zero potential of the gold.     

Crystal and molecular structure of benzophenone azine: evidence for an Fe(II) carbene intermediate

Benzophenone azine crystallizes in the monoclinic space groupA2/a (No. 15) witha=16.303(3) Å,b=5.4864(2) Å,c=21.973(5) Å, =85.52(2)°,V=1959.4(8) ų, andD _calc=1.22 g cm^–3 forZ=4. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined againstF to a finalR value of 0.047. The unit cell contains four molecules of the title compound; the asymmetric unit consists of half a molecule. Despite the high crystallographic symmetry, the two halves of the molecule arenot related by a center of symmetry; instead, the molecule adopts C₂ symmetry; the molecular C₂ axis is coincident with the crystallographic twofold axis. The formation of benzophenone azine from the reaction of the iron-containing Lewis acid complex [(⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(CO)₂(THF)]⁺ [BF₄]^– and diphenyldiazomethane provides strong evidence for an Fe(II) carbene intermediate.     

A structural study of sodium dithionite and its ephemeral dihydrate: A new conformation for the dithionite ion

Raman spectroscopy on solid anhydrous sodium dithionite reveals that it exists in at least two forms in the solid state. MAS²³Na NMR spectra and X-ray powder diffraction patterns of the solids indicate that sodium ions are in different environments in each form of the material. The results suggest that the dithionite anion is conformationally different in each lattice. A single crystal X-ray diffraction study of the recrystallized form of anhydrous sodium dithionite reveals an anion with C₂ geometry and a 16° O-S-S-O torsional angle; nearly eclipsed. (Crystal Data for recrystallized Na₂S₂O₄ area=6.539(1) Å,b=6.552(1) Å,c=6.578(1) Å,V=240.0(1) ų,=121.61(1)°, space group=P2/c,Z=2). Raman spectra of sodium dithionite dihydrate reveal that the dithionite ion is in a different conformation than in either of the anhydrous materials. A single crystal X-ray diffraction study of Na₂S₂O₄·2H₂O reveals a dithionite anion with a substantially shorter S-S bond length than in the anhydrous structure and an O-S-S-O torsional angle of 56°; approximately gauche. (Crystal Data for Na₂S₂O₄·2H₂O area=8.134(1) Å,b=5.756(2) Å,c=14.528(5) Å,V=653.3(3) ų,=106.20(2)°, space group=P2₁/n,Z=4). The structure of the dithionite anion is found to depend critically upon the nature of its external environment.     

Spin‐Selective Generation of Triplet Nitrenes: Olefin Aziridination through Visible‐Light Photosensitization of Azidoformates

Azidoformates are interesting potential nitrene precursors, but their direct photochemical activation can result in competitive formation of aziridination and allylic amination products. Herein, we show that visible‐light‐activated transition‐metal complexes can be triplet sensitizers that selectively produce aziridines through the spin‐selective photogeneration of triplet nitrenes from azidoformates. This approach enables the aziridination of a wide range of alkenes and the formal oxyamination of enol ethers using the alkene as the limiting reagent. Preparative‐scale aziridinations can be easily achieved under continuous‐flow conditions.     

DNA detection and signal amplification via an engineered allosteric enzyme

Rapid, sensitive, and sequence-specific DNA detection can be achieved in one step using an engineered intrasterically regulated enzyme. The semi-synthetic inhibitor-DNA-enzyme (IDE) construct (left) rests in the inactive state but upon exposure to a complementary DNA sequence undergoes a DNA hybridization-triggered allosteric enzyme activation (right). The ensuing rapid substrate turnover provides the built-in signal amplification mechanism for detecting approximately 10 fmol DNA in less than 3 min under physiological conditions.     

Monothioindigo,determined by microcrystal structure analysis

Indigo and thioindigo pigments are used for a wide range of applications. The crystal structure of the mixed compound monothioindigo [systematic name: (E)‐2‐(3‐oxo‐2,3‐dihydro‐1‐benzothiophen‐2‐ylidene)‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐indol‐3‐one], C₁₆H₉NO₂S, has been determined by microcrystal structure analysis from a crystal with a size of just 1 × 2 × 10 µm. The crystal structure of monothioindigo resembles those of indigo and thioindigo. The molecules show orientational disorder, with site‐occupation factors of 0.962 (2) and 0.038 (2) for the major and minor disorder components, respectively. The indigo fragment donates an intermolecular hydrogen bond, leading to a criss‐cross arrangement of molecules similar to that in indigo, whereas the thioindigo fragment exhibits only van der Waals interactions and molecular stacking, similar to that in thioindigo.