Mutagenesis approaches to deduce structure-function relationships in terpene synthases

This review highlights mutagenesis studies of terpene synthases, specifically sesquiterpene synthases and oxidosqualene cyclases. Mutagenesis studies of these enzymes have provided mechanistic insights, structure-function relationships for specific enzymatic residues, novel terpene structures and enzymes with novel activities. The literature through 2002 is reviewed and 113 references cited.     

Fractionation and Determination of Different Lead Species in Contaminated Soils

A new approach was proposed to fractionating soil lead species differing in mobility and biological availability. Ground solid samples were retained as a stationary phase in a rotating coiled column while continuously pumping aqueous solutions of salts and complexing agents necessary for the sequential leaching of different element species. It was shown that field-flow fractionation in a rotating coiled column is suitable for separating three lead species in an automatic mode within 4 h, as compared to several days for conventional methods of sequential extraction. The study of lead elution curves at different fractionation steps provides additional information about its mobilization under changing environmental conditions.     

Simultaneous radiochemical neutron activation analysis of iodine, uranium and mercury in biological and environmental samples

The determination of medium and long-lived nuclides can be combined with short-lived ones if a medium or long irradiation is made prior to the short irradiation and radiochemical processing. Thus, an RNAA method previously developed for determination of iodine based on the reaction¹²⁷I(n,)¹²⁸I (T _1/2=25 m) using oxygen flask ignition of the irradiated sample, followed by solvent extraction with an iodine-iodide redox cycle, was combined with an overnight preirradiation to induce the²³⁵U fission product¹³³I (T _1/2=20.8 h). By reactivating the sample, cooled 1–2 days after the first irradiation, for few minutes both¹²⁸I and¹³³I could be quantified in the separated iodine fraction. Non-combustible inorganic materials (e.g., sediment, soil, etc.) can be successfully ignited after mixing with excess cellulose powder. Chemical yields for iodine were determined spectrophotometrically in the organic phase, while homogeneously spiked Whatman cellulose powder was used as uranium standard. Mercury is also released on ignition and collected in the absorbing solution, from where it was separated by toluene extraction. Its chemical yield was determined for each aliquot using²⁰³Hg tracer and counting on an LEPD. Results for some suitable SRMs are presented, and the general features of the double irradiation technique discussed.     

ESCA: Eine Methode zur Bestimmung von Elementen und ihren Bindungszust?nden in der Oberfl?che von Festk?rpern

Zusammenfassung ESCA (nach Siegbahn: Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis) beruht auf dem Photoeffekt an inneren Atomorbitalen und ist auf alle Substanzen anwendbar. Die Routineuntersuchungen werden überwiegend an Festkörpern durchgeführt. Informationsträger sind Photo- und Augerelektronen, die verlustfrei von der Festkörperoberfläche emittiert werden. Auf Grund der Oberflächenempfindlichkeit gehört ESCA zu den mikrochemischen Verfahren. Die erfaßte Schichtdicke ist gegeben durch die Austrittstiefe der Photo- und Augerelektronen. Sie beträgt einige Monolagen, maximal 100 Å. Man kann davon ausgehen, daß bei einer untersuchten Fläche von 0,5 cm² und homogener Verteilung eines Elementes in den obersten 100 Å eine Konzentration von 1 % noch sicher nachgewiesen wird. Die Empfindlichkeitsunterschiede von Element zu Element liegen innerhalb eines Faktors 10. Matrixeffekte sind noch wesentlich geringer. Deshalb sind gute Voraussetzungen für eine quantitative Analyse gegeben. ESCA ist zwar nicht direkt ein Verfahren zur Spurenanalyse, wohl aber nach geeigneter Anreicherung. Der besondere Vorteil von ESCA liegt darin, daß man nicht nur Elemente nachweist, sondern an Hand von chemischen Verschiebungen, Linienaufspaltungen und Shake-up-Satelliten zuverlässige Aussagen über ihren Bindungszustand erhält. Weiterhin kann innerhalb des Bereiches der Austrittstiefe der Photoelektronen differenziert werden; dadurch ergeben sich Möglichkeiten zur zerstörungsfreien Aufnahme von Tiefenverteilungen von Elementen und Verbindungen. Zum Vordringen in tiefere Schichten kann ESCA mit abbauenden Verfahren gekoppelt werden. Nach Ionenbeschußabbau ist wegen ioneninduzierter Reaktionen in der Regel jedoch kein Verbindungsnachweis mehr möglich.

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ESCA: A method for the determination of elements and their valence states in the surfaces of solids

Summary ESCA — or Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis (the term used by its inventor, Siegbahn)-is based on the effects of X-rays on the inner orbitals of atoms and is applicable to all substances. Routine ESCA investigations are carried out chiefly on solids. The information is provided by photo- and Auger electrons, which are emitted from the surfaces of solids without energy losses. Because of its surface sensitivity ESCA may be regarded as a microchemical method. The comprehended layer thickness is given by the escape depths of the photo- and Auger electrons. The range is from a few monolayers to 100 Å. As a rule, an element that is distributed homogeneously in the uppermost 100 Å of an area of 0.5 cm² can still be detected reliably at a concentration of 1%. The differences in sensitivity from element to element are within a factor of ten. Matrix effects are considerably smaller still. ESCA is therefore well suited for quantitative analysis. Though not directly suitable for trace analysis, ESCA can be used for that purpose after appropriate enrichment techniques have been applied. The special advantage of ESCA is that, in addition to detecting elements, it provides reliable information on their valence states by means of chemical shifts, line splitting and shake-up satellites. Apart from this, ESCA permits in-depth discrimination within the range of the escape depths of the photo electrons; it therefore provides opportunities for the non-destructive recording of the depth distributions of elements and compounds. For investigation of lower layers, ESCA can be combined with methods which involve the removal of outer layers. After removal of layers by ion bombardment, however, ion-induced reactions generally prevent the detection of compounds.

Hauptvortrag auf dem Internationalen Symposium für mikrochemische Arbeitsmethoden (ISM) Davos, Mai 1977     

Complex coordinates and the Stark effect

The theories of the dilatation, r → r e^iθ, and translation, x → x + iq, transformations as related to the Stark problem are reviewed, and new results obtained. Results for the hydrogen atom n = 1 and n = 2 levels and the ¹P⁰, 2s2p H^? shape resonance in dc fields are presented, and the extension to the ac Stark effect made. Spectral estimates are made using the technique of the numerical range and via discussion of several model problems, using both coordinate rotation and coordinate translation.     

Mecanisme de formation et de transformation des spirophosphoranes—IX: Reactions des spirophosphoranes a liaison PH avec les ethers vinyliques et les enamines

The reaction of 1,4,6,9-tetraoxa-5-phospha(V)spiro[4,4]nonane 1 with ethyl vinyl ether gives a spirophosphorane containing a PC bond, 5-(β-ethosyethyl)-1,4,6,9-tetra-oxa-5-phospha(V) spiro[4,4]nonane 2 (radical reaction), and a tricoordinated phosphorus compound, 2-(3,5-di-oxa-4-methylheptanoxyl)-1,3,2-dioxaphospholane 3 (ionic reaction). 2,2,3,3,7,7,9-Heptamethyl-1,4,6-trioxa-9-aza-5-phospha(V) spiro[4,4]nonane 6 gives exclusively a spirophosphorane containing a PC bond, 5(β-ethoxyethyl)-2,2,3,3,7,7,9-heptamethyl-1,4,6-trioxa-9-aza-5-phospha(V)spiro[4,4]nonane 7. The reaction of 1 with alcohol or ethyleneglycol and enamine yields a pentaoxyspirophosphorane and an amine by an oxidation-reduction condensation. Suggested mechanisms of these reactions are presented.     

Structure in metastable peaks arising from reactions in which[C3H3]+ ions are produced

The metastable peak resulting from the fragmentation of [C₇H₇]²⁺? ions fram a variety of sources shows structure due to the presence of two reactions releasing different amounts of translational energy. The translational energy differences has been measured as 0.52 ± 0.04eV and is thought to be due to the formation of product ions of different structure via competing reactions from a single transition state. The possible structures of these ions are discussed, and it is proposed that the effect observed is due to the formation of [C₃H₃]⁺ ions in two forms, cyclopropenyl and proparg1. The metastable singly charged ions which also lead to product ions of formula [C₃H, ₃]⁺.     

Beiträge zur Chemie der Alkylverbindungen von Übergangsmetallen. XIV. Untersuchungen über Benzylwolframverbindungen-Darstellung und Charakterisierung des Wolframtetrabenzyls

Contributions to the Chemistry of Transition Metal Alkyl Compounds. XIV. Investigations on Benzyl Tungsten Compounds. – On the Formation and Characterization of Tetrabenzyl Tungsten Unstable benzyl tungsten pentachloride is formed from tribenzyl boron and tungsten hexachloride. Other benzylating agents yield only less defined reduction products. – Reacting WCl₄ · 2 THF with dibenzyl magnesium W(CH₂C₆H₅)₄ can be obtained. The new compound is stable at room temperature and is thoroughly characterized.     

Diffusion in ethylene–propylene rubber

A study of sorption in a copolymer of ethylene and propylene is presented. Long-time sorption and desorption measurements provided the actual diffusion coefficient in the limit of zero concentration gradient. An analysis of the diffusion–sorption data reinforced the Frisch hypothesis about diffusion in a polymer matrix. The better solvent deforms the microstructure, allowing a more marked dependence of the diffusivity upon concentration.     

Solvent‐free microwave synthesis of bis‐pyrazolo[3,4‐b:4′,3′‐e]‐pyridines and study of their antifungal properties

The synthesis of a series of bis‐pyrazolo[3,4‐b:4′,3′‐e]pyridines ( 3 ) in the reaction of 5‐amino‐3‐methyl‐1‐phenylpyrazole ( 1 ) with aldehydes ( 2 ) under microwave irradiation and solvent‐free conditions is described. The structure elucidation of the products is based on detailed nmr analysis of experiments such as ¹H‐COSY, NOESY, DEPT, HSQC and HMBC. These compounds showed moderate antifungal in vitro activity against dermatophytes.