Solution structure of the palladium(II) complex of 1,4,7,10-tetrathiacyclododec-2-ene-2,3-dicarbonitrile

The solution structure of the Pd(II) complex of mn-12-S4 was studied in detail by NMR spectroscopy. The stoichiometry of the complex was determined by 1H NMR titration experiments. 3J(H,H) coupling constants were extracted from the 2D J-resolved NMR spectrum of the complex providing information concerning the S-C-C-S torsional angles. Further conclusions about the conformation of [Pd(mn-12-S4)](BF4)2 were drawn from experimental NOEs. The results of the NMR study were corroborated by molecular modelling.     

Conformational analysis of mixed oxathia crown ethers and their complexational ability towards Ag(I) and Pd(II)-an experimental solution NMR and theoretical molecular modelling study

Both the conformation and flexibility of four mixed oxathia crown ethers and their Ag(I) and Pd(II) complexes were studied by (1)H NMR (delta, J, NOE, T(1)), (13)C NMR, dynamic (1)H NMR spectroscopy and molecular modelling. The stoichiometry and stability constants of the complexes were determined from corresponding Job's plots in the case of Ag(I) complexes as the interchange between free and complexed states was fast on the NMR timescale; interchange for the Pd(II) complexes was sufficiently slow such that distinct sub-spectra were observable for the free and complexed states. In all cases where complexation was observed, 1 : 1 complexes were formed. Global minima structures determined from the modelling studies were analysed with respect to the barriers to ring interconversion, the flexibility of the species in solution and the preferred complexation of Ag(I) and Pd(II) to the sulfur atoms of the crown ethers.     

Molecular dynamics simulations of n-Alkane melts confined between solid surfaces

Molecular dynamics simulations of polyethylene chains (C_nH_2n+2 for n = 13, 16, 28, 60) have been carried out to investigate both equilibrium and dynamic properties of polymer melts confined between flat solid surfaces. We observe an oscillatory monomer density in the direction normal to the solid surfaces, which depends on the size of the monomers (i.e., on the volume density of the system). The packing manner of monomer segments, segment orientation, and local conformations of chains are found to be independent of chain length. In addition, preferential interfacial adsorption of chain ends is observed. The chains are flattened close to the surface and many molecules assume essentially two-dimensional train configurations even in the case of C₆₀H₁₂₂ melts. The apparent self-diffusivities of the centers of mass of the molecules depend on their distance from a surface. Molecules adjacent to a surface exhibit a reduced mobility perpendicular to the surface and an increased one parallel to it. The self-diffusion constant parallel to a surface depends strongly on the size of the monomers. An increase of the united atom diameter by 10% reduces the diffusion constant by a factor of three, in good agreement with the experimental value. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Formation of the magic cluster Na8 in noble gas matrixes

The sodium molecules Na(2), Na(4), and Na(8) have been isolated in argon matrixes at 15 K and characterized for the first time by Raman spectroscopy. The vibrational frequencies are compared with density functional (DFT) calculations. The Na(4) cluster possesses a rhombic structure (D(2h)) with calculated d(Na-Na) = 307.2 and 347.4 pm, respectively. For octasodium, a hypertetrahedral structure (T(d)) is predicted in which each side of an inner tetrahedron with d(Na-Na) = 331.5 pm is capped by sodium atoms with a distance of d(Na-Na) = 348.7 pm. The green octasodium cluster is the first example of a matrix-isolated magic number cluster. Its formation from blue tetrasodium is discussed on the basis of the observed sequence of cluster growth.     

Annexin A1 interaction with a zwitterionic phospholipid monolayer: a fluorescence microscopy study

We present the results of a fluorescence microscopy study of the interaction of annexin A1 with dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) monolayers as a function of the lipid monolayer phase and the pH of the aqueous subphase. We show that annexin A1-DPPC interaction depends strongly on the domain structure of the DPPC monolayer and only weakly on the subphase pH. Annexin A1 is found to be line active, with preferential adsorption at phase boundaries. Also, annexin A1 is found to form networks in the presence of a domain structure in the monolayer. Our results point toward an important contribution of the unique N-terminal domain to the organization of the protein at the interface.     

LC/MS/MS identification of glycosides produced by biotransformation of cinnamyl alcohol in Rhodiola rosea compact callus aggregates

Cinnamyl alcohol was added to the media of compact callus aggregates (CCA) of Rhodiola rosea for stimulating the production of cinnamyl glycosides. The biotransformation reaction produced high amounts of rosin, while only a very low amount of rosavin was produced. As the consumption rate of cinnamyl alcohol was much higher than production of rosin, the aqueous methanol extracts of compact callus aggregates were studied by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometric methods and four new unexpected biotransformation products of cinnamyl alcohol were identified.     

Enzymatic photometric determination of lactate by reversible reduction of methylene blue

Summary After a brief discussion of the state of development of the theory of analytical chemistry and the need for a new evaluation of its status among other fields the paper addresses one of the central subjects in classical epistemology: realism. Summarizing the development of epistemology in the last 50 years it is argued that the quest for certainty, which was one of its driving forces, cannot be fulfilled. Science and philosophy are equally entitled to contribute to the construction of a world picture. Both can only deliver hypothetical knowledge. Analytical chemistry supports an evolutionary epistemology: the multitude of sensors developed in the last fifty years can be seen as analogous to new sense organs. Seen from an evolutionary perspective analytical chemistry has tremendously enlarged the variety of sensors for actively seeking information on selected features of reality. In spite of all the difficulties in working out a realistic interpretation of quantum mechanics, the consistency of the picture of the external world delivered by the sense organs of different animals and the culturally developed sensors of analytical chemistry is a strong argument for a modest scientific realism.     

HgCl2(Caf): Co‐crystallization of Mercuric Chloride and Caffeine

Colourless single crystals of the co‐crystallizate of mercuric chloride and caffeine, HgCl₂(Caf), were obtained from an ethanolic solution of mercuric chloride, HgCl₂, and caffeine (Caf) and recrystallized from hot water. The crystal structure (monoclinic, P2₁, Z = 2, a = 398.36(8), b = 1964.5(4), c = 809.6(2) pm, β = 99.24(3)°, Z = 2, R₁ = 0.0584 for 1430 F_o > 4σ(F_o)) contains helical chains (parallel to the 2₁ screw axis) of almost unaffected HgCl₂ molecules and caffeine molecules which are very weakly bound to one keto‐oxygen atom (O4) of one and N9 of a second caffeine molecule at distances of 282 and 281 pm, respectively. To the contrary, theoretical calculations show that the molecule HgCl₂(Caf)₂ is stable (in the gas phase at T = 0 K) with surprisingly strong bonding as indicated by the “tetrahedrization” of the molecule.     

Thermozymes and their applications

Enzymes from thermophilic microorganisms, thermozymes, have unique characteristics such as temperature, chemical, and pH stability. They can be used in several industrial processes, in which they replace mesophilic enzymes or chemicals. Thermozymes are often used when the enzymatic process is compatible with existing (high-temperature) process conditions. The main advantages of performing processes at higher temperatures are reduced risk of microbial contamination, lower viscosity, improved transfer rates, and improved solubility of substrates. However, cofactors, substrates, or products might be unstable or other side reactions may occur. Recent developments show that thermophiles are a good source of novel catalysts that are of great industrial interest. Thermostable polymer-degrading enzymes such as amylases, pullulanases, xylanases, proteases, and cellulases are expected to play an important role in food, chemical, pharmaceutical, paper, pulp, and waste-treatment industries. Considerable research efforts have been made to better understand the stability of thermozymes. There are no major conformational differences with mesophilic enzymes, and a small number of extra salt bridges, hydrophobic interactions, or hydrogen bounds seem to confer the extra degree of stabilization. Currently, overexpression of thermozymes in standard Escherichia coli allows the production of much larger quantities of enzymes, which are easy to purify by heat treatment. With wider availability and lower cost, thermophilic enzymes will see more application in industry.     

Pyrrolic and Dipyrrolic Chlorophyll Degradation Products in Plants and Herbivores

The degradation of chlorophyll, the omnipresent green pigment, has been investigated intensively over the last 30 years resulting in many elucidated tetrapyrrolic degradation products. With a comparison to the degradation of the structurally similar heme, we hereby propose a novel additional chlorophyll degradation mechanism to mono- and dipyrrolic products. This is the first proof of the occurrence of a family of mono- and dipyrrols in leaves that are previously only known as heme degradation products. This product family is also found in spit and feces of herbivores with specific metabolomic patterns reflecting the origin of the samples. Based on chromatographic and mass spectrometric evidence as well as on mechanistic considerations we also suggest several tentative new degradation products. One of them, dihydro BOX A, was fully confirmed as a novel natural product by synthesis and comparison of its spectroscopic data.