Bimetallic assemblies, [Ni(en)2]3[M(CN)6]2·3H2O (en = H2NCH2CH2NH2; M = Fe,Co)

The reaction between tris(ethyl­enedi­amine)­nickel(II) cations and hexa­cyanometallate(III) anions (M = Fe, Co) yields ordered bimetallic assemblies, catena‐poly­[[tris­(ethyl­enedi­amine)­nickel‐bis(μ‐hexa­cyano­iron‐N,N′)] trihydrate] and catena‐poly­[[tris­(ethyl­enedi­amine)­nickel‐bis(μ‐hexa­cyano­cobalt‐N,N′)] trihydrate], [{Ni(C₂H₈N₂)₂}₃{M(CN)₆}₂]·3H₂O, in which both cis and trans [Ni(en)₂] and [M(CN)₆] moieties are linked to give S‐shaped Ni–NC–M–CN–Ni–NC–M–CN–Ni units which are cross­linked to give ribbons parallel to the b axis. The two compounds are isomorphous with mean metal–ligand distances Fe—C = 1.940 (3), Co—C = 1.844 (3) and Ni—N = 2.102 (2) Å for the iron, and 2.105 (3) Å for the cobalt compound. These compounds appear to be identical with those formulated as [Ni(en)₂]₃[M(CN)₆]₂·2H₂O [Ohba, Maruona, Okawa, Enoki & Latour (1994). J. Am. Chem. Soc. 116 , 11566–11567; Ohba, Fukita & Okawa (1997). J. Chem. Soc. Dalton Trans. pp. 1733–1737] which were indexed on a smaller unit cell and described as disordered.     

Photochemically driven shape changes of crystalline organic nanorods

Nanorods composed of 9-tert-butylanthroate (9-TBAE) are synthesized using an Al2O3 template and solvent annealing. The rods consist of micron-scale crystalline domains, and UV light induces a [4 + 4] photodimerization that results in a uniform 15% expansion along the rod axis. This is in contrast to random 9-TBAE crystals, which disintegrate under the same conditions. Transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and comparison of the X-ray crystal structures of the monomer and photodimer all provide evidence for a mechanism based on a crystal-to-crystal photoreaction leading to an increase in molecular volume. It is likely that the high surface-to-volume ratio in the nanorods provides a strain relief pathway that is absent in larger crystals. Preliminary attempts to reverse the reaction using shorter wavelength light to photodissociate the dimers were only partly successful. These results suggest that crystalline organic nanostructures may provide an efficient way to transform photochemical energy into mechanical motion on the nanometer scale.     

Review

Surfactants and Polymers in Drug Delivery, Drugs and the Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vol. 122, Edited by Martin Malmsten Molybdenum and Tungsten: Their Role in Biological Processes, Metal Ions in Biological Systems, Vol. 39, Edited by Astrid Sigel and Helmut Sigel Organic Ion Radicals, Chemistry and Applications, Zory V. Todres This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Synthesis of the 2,3,4-trisubstituted indole fragments of nosiheptide and glycothiohexide

Two routes to the protected 4-hydroxymethyl-3-methylindole-2-carboxylate fragment 17 of the thiopeptide antibiotic nosiheptide are described starting from methyl 4-methylindole-2-carboxylate 11, itself prepared in two steps, or from 3-amino-4-chlorobenzoic acid 26. The first route can be adapted to the synthesis of a fragment of the related antibiotic glycothiohexide-alpha, the 3,4-bis(hydroxymethyl)indole-2-carboxylate in which the two hydroxymethyl groups are differentiated as in indole 19 or the lactone 20.     

Are iridoids in leaf beetle larvae synthesized de novo or derived from plant precursors? A methodological approach

Iridoids, belonging to a group of cyclopentanoid monoterpenoids, are secreted by many species of leaf beetles as a defense against predators. Using chemically modified precursors of iridoid biosynthesis, it has been shown that some leaf beetle larvae can synthesize these iridoids de novo as well as sequester plant-produced molecules. Stable isotope techniques can provide useful methods for studying terpenoid biosynthesis without disturbing the natural conditions much. Two terpenoid biosynthesis pathways (mevalonic acid (MVA) pathway and methylerythritol-4-phosphate (MEP) pathway) may lead to different delta13C signatures of the products. Our results from natural abundance 13C and 13C-labelled iridoid precursors in Gastrophysa viridula and Phaedon cochleariae suggested that the two leaf beetle species use only de novo synthesis of their defensive iridoids. We observed that the isotope signature of the leaf-beetle-produced iridoids (via the MVA pathway) resembled that of the MEP-derived monoterpenoids from plants. Owing to this close similarity in the natural 13C abundances in the plant and insect compounds, a determination of iridoid-origin in leaf beetle secretion may only be possible by use of isotopically labelled compounds.     

Permutation Sign under the Robinson-Schensted Correspondence

We show how the sign of a permutation can be deduced from the tableaux induced by the permutation under the Robinson-Schensted correspondence. The result yields a simple proof of a conjecture on the squares of imbalances raised recently by Stanley.AMS Subject Classification: 05E10, 05A15.     

Soy isoflavone glycitein protects against beta amyloid-induced toxicity and oxidative stress in transgenic <Emphasis Type="Italic">Caenorhabditis elegans</Emphasis>

Background  

Epidemiological studies have associated estrogen replacement therapy with a lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, but a higher risk of developing breast cancer and certain cardiovascular disorders. The neuroprotective effect of estrogen prompted us to determine potential therapeutic impact of soy-derived estrogenic compounds. Transgenic C. elegans, that express human beta amyloid (Aβ), were fed with soy derived isoflavones genistein, daidzein and glycitein (100 μg/ml) and then examined for Aβ-induced paralysis and the levels of reactive oxygen species.     

TEM stereo-imaging of mesoporous zeolite single crystals

Mesoporous zeolite single crystals with intracrystalline mesopores and metal oxide particles located in the zeolite mesopore are characterised by direct TEM stereo-imaging.     

Structure of Escherichia coli dUTPase in Solution: A Small Angle Neutron Scattering Study

The present study investigates shape properties of the enzyme dUTPase from Escherichia coli in the solution phase. In this work small angle neutron scattering (SANS) findings on dUTPase/D₂O solutions for temperature values of T = 8 °C and T = 37 °C are presented. The analysis of SANS data, carried out by using a prolate ellipsoid core/shell model fitting and the well‐known Guinier and Zimm analysis procedures allows the characterization of the shape of the protein in solution. By means of the comparison with experimental and theoretical data existing in literature on dUTPase in the crystalline state, we find that the protein in solution maintains its dimensions before the denaturation process. Furthermore, by analyzing the SANS spectra of dUTPase/D₂O/trehalose solutions, we emphasize the bioprotective effects of trehalose on the protein.

Structure of dUTPase.