Contact ion pair between Na+ and PtCl(6)(2-) favored in methanol

Ion-pair formation between a Na+ cation and the [PtCl62-] anion in methanol is observed from195Pt NMR chemical shift trends as well as from molecular dynamics computer simulations. Free energy of association calculations reveal that contact ion pairs (CIPs) are the most favored configuration in methanol, followed by solvent shared ion pairs (SSHIPs). By contrast, such ion-pair formation is not observed for comparable solutions in water.     

Laser spectroscopy in analytical chemistry:light on the next millennium

To date, lasers are widely accepted tools in analytical spectroscopy, involved in various stand-alone and hyphenated techniques. Furthermore, significant progress can be noted in this field. In this paper, first of all some laser characteristics are discussed. Subsequently, five selected topics are outlined to illustrate recent achievements and future developments:

1. Laser-induced fluorescence for detection in capillary electrophoresis, including the use of ultraviolet, continuous-wave lasers in combination with wavelength-resolved emission detection; the use of diode laser-induced fluorescence in the red region of the electromagnetic spectrum and the use of Ti:sapphire lasers for multiphoton-excited fluorescence detection.

2. Degenerate four-wave mixing for detection in liquid microseparation systems (based on the coherence of laser light).

3. Fluorescence line-narrowing spectroscopy for identification purposes, a cryogenic high-resolution molecular fluorescence technique with a high potential in environmental analysis.

4. Recent developments in Raman spectroscopy (including ultraviolet-Resonance Raman and hyphenation of liquid chromatography and Raman spectroscopy).

5. Use of lasers for sample introduction in inorganic analysis based on controlled material ablation.

Template-assisted ligand encapsulation; the impact of an unusual coordination geometry on a supramolecular pyridylphosphine-Zn(II)porphyrin assembly

The tris(para-pyridyl)phosphine template (1) has been used in conjunction with a series of meso-substituted Zn(II)-tetraphenylporphyrins complexes (2-10) to create supramolecular encapsulated ligand assemblies via Zn-N(pyr) interactions. The structural features of supramolecular ligand 1.[2](3) have been investigated in detail using X-ray crystallography, NMR specroscopy, and UV-vis spectroscopy. The pyridylphosphine-porphyrin stoichiometry determined in solution (1:3) differs markedly with that observed in the solid state (2:5, for assembly [1](2).[2](5)). The difference originates from an unusual coordination behavior of one of the Zn centers, which is octahedrally surrounded through double axial coordination by the pyridyl groups of the two different molecules of 1.     

Substrate‐Controlled Product Divergence: Conversion of CO2 into Heterocyclic Products

Substituted epoxy alcohols and amines allow substrate‐controlled conversion of CO₂ into a wide range of heterocyclic structures through different mechanistic manifolds. This new approach results in an unusual scope of CO₂‐derived products by initial activation of CO₂ through either the amine or alcohol unit, thus providing nucleophiles for intramolecular epoxy ring opening under mild reaction conditions. Control experiments support the crucial role of the amine/alcohol fragment in this process with the nucleophile‐assisted ring‐opening step following an S_Ni pathway, and a 5‐exo‐tet cyclization, thus leading to heterocyclic scaffolds.     

Cooperative self-assembly of a macrocyclic Schiff base complex

A metal template approach affords in high yield a tetra-Zn(salphen) macrocycle (3) which shows strong and cooperative self-assembly mediated by the formation of Zn(salphen) dimer units held together via μ(2)-phenoxo interactions. A cooperative binding mode for the tetranuclear Zn(4) macrocycle 3 is supported by comparison of UV-vis and fluorescence titration data recorded for 3 when compared with respective mononuclear and dinuclear Zn(salphen) model compounds. UV-vis dilution experiments carried out for Zn(4) macrocycle 3 and its Pd(4) analogue 4, as well as comparative TEM studies involving the same tetranuclear macrocycles further support the strong assembly behavior of 3. This self-assembly seems to be primarily dictated by its ability to form multiple, self-assembled dimeric [Zn(salphen)](2) units.     

Conjugation of Methacrylamide Groups to a Model Protein via a Reducible Linker for Immobilization and Subsequent Triggered Release from Hydrogels

An efficient strategy is reported to introduce methacrylamide groups on the lysine residues of a model protein (lysozyme) for immobilization and triggered release from a hydrogel network. A novel spacer unit was designed, containing a disulfide bond, such that the release of the protein can be triggered by reduction. The modified proteins were characterized by MALDI‐TOF MS, titration of free NH₂ residues and spectral analysis. The modification reaction is well controlled, and the number of introduced functions can be tailored by changing the reaction conditions. Gel electrophoresis experiments showed that the methacrylamide modified protein can be immobilized in a polyacrylamide hydrogel and subsequently released by reduction of the spacer by which the protein was grafted to the polymeric network.

     

Versatile switching in substrate topicity: supramolecular chirality induction in di- and trinuclear host complexes

Supramolecular chirality effects have been achieved both for ditopic and monotopic substrates by using a programmable bis-salphen scaffold that incorporates either two or three Zn nuclei. The dinuclear host shows preferential chirogenesis in the presence of ditopic systems, whereas effective chirality transfer to the trinuclear complex is realized through monotopic binding. The mode of binding in the trinuclear host has been investigated through X-ray crystallography, CD measurements, UV/Vis spectroscopy, and DFT analysis. The bis-salphen scaffold holds promise for the development of substrate-specific host systems useful for determination of the absolute configuration of various types of organic molecules.     

The hidden role of acetate in the PbSe nanocrystal synthesis

Monodisperse spherical, star-shaped, and octahedral PbSe nanocrystals were synthesized via a hot injection method. We show that the shape and size of the colloidal PbSe nanocrystals are determined by the concentration of acetate and that only acetate-free reaction mixtures result in spherical nanocrystals. The presence of acetate leads to efficient oriented attachment of smaller PbSe nanoparticles along the 100 crystal axis. Comparing different synthesis procedures from the recent literature with our observations, we propose that the acetate, naturally present in insufficiently dried reaction mixtures, is responsible for many of the PbSe crystal shapes reported in the literature. In addition we show that it is possible to synthesize these star-shaped nanocrystals so monodisperse that they form ordered monolayers with crystal alignment.     

Minimum free energy pathways and free energy profiles for conformational transitions based on atomistic molecular dynamics simulations

An efficient method for the calculation of minimum free energy pathways and free energy profiles for conformational transitions is presented. Short restricted perturbation-targeted molecular dynamics trajectories are used to generate an approximate free energy surface. Approximate reaction pathways for the conformational change are constructed from one-dimensional line segments on this surface using a Monte Carlo optimization. Accurate free energy profiles are then determined along the pathways by means of one-dimensional adaptive umbrella sampling simulations. The method is illustrated by its application to the alanine "dipeptide." Due to the low computational cost and memory demands, the method is expected to be useful for the treatment of large biomolecular systems.     

Enhanced sampling simulations of DNA step parameters

A novel approach for the selection of step parameters as reaction coordinates in enhanced sampling simulations of DNA is presented. The method uses three atoms per base and does not require coordinate overlays or idealized base pairs. This allowed for a highly efficient implementation of the calculation of all step parameters and their Cartesian derivatives in molecular dynamics simulations. Good correlation between the calculated and actual twist, roll, tilt, shift, and slide parameters is obtained, while the correlation with rise is modest. The method is illustrated by its application to the methylated and unmethylated 5′‐CATGTGACGTCACATG‐3′ double stranded DNA sequence. One‐dimensional umbrella simulations indicate that the flexibility of the central CG step is only marginally affected by methylation. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.