Crystallization of Arthrobacter sp. strain 1C N-(1-D-carboxyethyl)-L-norvaline dehydrogenase and its complex with NAD+

The novel NAD+-linked opine dehydrogenase from a soil isolate Arthrobacter sp. strain 1C belongs to an enzyme superfamily whose members exhibit quite diverse substrate specificites. Crystals of this opine dehydrogenase, obtained in the presence or absence of co-factor and substrates, have been shown to diffract to beyond 1.8 ? resolution. X-ray precession photographs have established that the crystals belong to space group P21212, with cell parameters a = 104.9, b = 80.0, c = 45.5 ? and a single subunit in the asymmetric unit. The elucidation of the three-dimensional structure of this enzyme will provide a structural framework for this novel class of dehydrogenases to enable a comparison to be made with other enzyme families and also as the basis for mutagenesis experiments directed towards the production of natural and synthetic opine-type compounds containing two chiral centres.     

Synthesis and structure of fluorotricyanomethane

Fluorotricyanomethane is prepared from potassium tricyanomethanide and perchlorylfluoride. The crystal structure of this compound (orthorhombic, space group P2₁2₁2₁, with a=6.270, b=6.734, c=11.776 Å) has been determined by X-ray analysis. The results are discussed in relation to those of (NC)₃C? X (X=? CH₃, ? Cl, ? Br or ? CN).     

Dirhodium(II) tetrakis[methyl 2-oxaazetidine-4-carboxylate]: a chiral dirhodium(II) carboxamidate of exceptional reactivity and selectivity

[formula: see text] A new chiral azetidinone-carboxylate ligand for dirhodium(II) catalysis enhances reactivity toward diazo decomposition and selectivity toward cyclopropanation enabling diazomalonates, vinyldiazoacetates, and aryldiazoacetates to be effectively used with a dirhodium(II) carboxamidate catalyst.     

Metallacycloalkanes: I. Preparation and characterisation of α,α′-bipyridyl-5-nickela-3,3,7,7-tetramethyl-trans-tricyclo[4.1.0.02,4]heptane

Oxidative addition of 2 molecules of 3,3-dimethylcyclopropene (I) to α,α′-bipyridyl(1,5-cyclooctadiene)nickel(0) (III) gave the title compound (IV) in over 90% yield. Complex IV was characterized by mass, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. Its structure was determined by X-ray diffraction (a 13.7081(2), b 14.638(2), c 9.5139(1) Å, β 110.82(1)°, C2/c, R = 0.05 for 1614 reflections).     

Bound state methods for elastic scattering phase shifts

Three methods are investigated for obtaining elastic phase shifts in the scattering of electrons from atoms and ions that use a bound-state representation of the scattering wavefunction. Results for singlet p-wave scattering by H and by He⁺ are compared with previous calculations.     

Anionic carbonyl complexes of the group VI transition metals with sulfur containing ligands

Anionic complexes of the type [M(CO)₄(dpet)]^? (where M is Cr, Mo or W and dpet is the anion of 2-(diphenylphosphino)ethanthiol) are readily prepared by the reaction of the Tl(dpet) and [M(CO)₅X]^? anions (X = halogen). These complex anions appear to have the normal octahedral geometry with the dpet ligand coordinated through both the P and S atoms. When treated with methyl or allyl halides, neutral complexes of the type M(CO)₄(dpet—R) are formed (where R is an allyl or methyl group now bound to the sulfur atom). By treating Tl^I salts of o-aminothiophenol (atp), o-methylmercaptophenol (nmp) and methylxanthic acid (mxt), with [M(CO)₅]^? anions, the respective complexes [M(CO)₄(atp)]^?, [M(CO)₄(mmp)]^? and [M(CO)₅(mxt)]^? are formed.     

Toward the synthesis of reidispongiolide a: stereocontrolled synthesis of the C17-C22 and C23-C35 degradation fragments

[structure: see text] By relying on the asymmetric aldol reactions of chiral ketones, a highly stereocontrolled synthesis of each of the C(17)-C(22) and C(23)-C(35) degradation fragments of reidispongiolide A has been achieved. This permits a configurational assignment of the complete C(17)-C(36) region of this antimitotic macrolide, along with providing advanced intermediates for a projected total synthesis.     

Quantitative analysis of solid mixtures by diffuse reflectance measurements

The factors affecting the reflectance of an absorbing substance mixed with material not absorbing at the wavelength of measurement were investigated and it was found that the effect of particle size could be eliminated by prolonged grinding. It is shown that the percentage by weight of the absorbing substance is directly proportional to the quantity (A/R)^1.383 (R = percentage reflectance ; A = 100 — R) and that this quantity is additive for 2 absorbing substances. A method is developed for the accurate determination of low concentrations of one and two absorbing substances mixed with non-absorbing material. The method is applicable to poorly crystallized substances which give no characteristic X-ray powder diffraction patterns as well as to crystalline solids. The reflectance of some substances is shown to be dependent on the previous history of the particular sample. The method is not applicable if there is physical interaction between the components of the mixture.