Sensitivity of polar solvation dynamics to the secondary structures of aqueous proteins and the role of surface exposure of the probe

The structure and dynamics of water around a protein is expected to be sensitive to the details of the adjacent secondary structure of the protein. In this article, we explore this sensitivity by calculating both the orientational dynamics of the surface water molecules and the equilibrium solvation time correlation function of the polar amino acid residues in each of the three helical segments of the protein HP-36, using atomistic molecular dynamics simulations. The solvation dynamics of polar amino acid residues in helix-2 is found to be faster than that of the other two helices (the average time constant is smaller by a factor of 2), although the interfacial water molecules around helix-2 exhibit much slower orientational dynamics than that around the other two helices. A careful analysis shows that the origin of such a counterintuitive behavior lies in the dependence of the solvation time correlation function on the surface exposure of the probe-the more exposed is the probe, the faster the solvation dynamics. We discuss that these results are useful in explaining recent solvation dynamics experiments.     

Diastereoselective Mukaiyama aldol reaction of (N-alkyl) isatins with 2-(trimethylsilyloxy)furan by using lanthanum triflate

An efficient vinylogous Mukaiyama aldol reaction (VMAR) of 2-(trimethylsilyloxy)furan with various (N-alkyl)isatins is described in the presence of lanthanum(III) triflates (5 mol %). The reaction proceeds rapidly and affords the corresponding 3-hydroxy-(5-oxo-2,5-dihydrofuran-2-yl)indolin-2-one in high yields with good diastereoselectivities (threo:erythro ratio up to ≤95:5).     

Fluorescent zinc(II) complex exhibiting "on-off-on" switching toward Cu2+ and Ag+ ions

Binuclear zinc(II) and copper(II) complexes based on a new Schiff base ligand N,N'-bis(2-hydroxybenzilidene)-2,4,6-trimethylbenzene-1,3-diamine (H(2)L) have been synthesized. The ligand H(2)L and complexes under investigation have been characterized by elemental analyses, spectral (FT-IR, (1)H, (13)C NMR, ESI-MS, electronic absorption, emission), and electrochemical studies. The structures of H(2)L and complexes [{Zn(C(23)H(18)N(2)O(2))}(2)] (1) and [{Cu(C(23)H(18)N(2)O(2))}(2)]·H(2)O (2) have been determined crystallographically. Selective "On-Off-On" switching behavior of the fluorescent complex 1 has been studied. The fluorescence intensity of 1 quenches (turns-off) upon addition of Cu(2+), while enhances (turns-on) in the presence of Ag(+) ions. The mechanisms of "On-Off-On" signaling have been supported by (1)H NMR, ESI-MS, electronic absorption, and emission spectral studies. Job's plot analysis supported 1:1 and 1:2 stoichiometries for Cu(2+) and Ag(+) ions, respectively. Association and quenching constants have been estimated by the Benesi-Hildebrand method and Stern-Volmer plot. Moreover, 1 mimics a molecular keypad lock that follows correct chemical input order to give maximum output signal.     

Ferroelectric Liquid Crystals: Synthesis and Thermal Behavior of Optically Active,Three‐Ring Schiff Bases and Salicylaldimines

The chiral ferroelectric smectic C (SmC*) phase, characterized by a helical superstructure, has been well exploited in developing high‐resolution microdisplays that have been effectively employed in the fabrication of a wide varieties of portable devices. Although, an overwhelming number of optically active (chiral) liquid crystals (LCs) exhibiting a SmC* phase have been designed and synthesized, the search for new systems continues so as to realize mesogens capable of meeting technical necessities and specifications for their end‐use. In continuation of our research work in this direction, herein we report the design, synthesis, and thermal behavior of twenty new optically active, three‐ring calamitic LCs belonging to four series. The first two series comprise five pairs of enantiomeric Schiff bases whereas the other two series are composed of five pairs of enantiomeric salicylaldimines. In each pair of optical isomers, the configuration of a chiral center in one stereoisomer is opposite to that of the analogous center in the other isomer as they are derived from (3 S)‐3,7‐dimethyloctyloxy and (3 R)‐3,7‐dimethyloctyloxy tails. To probe the structure–property correlations in each series, the length of the n‐alkoxy tail situated at the other end of the mesogens has been varied from n‐octyloxy to n‐dodecyloxy. The measurement of optical activity of these chiral mesogens was carried out by recording their specific rotations. As expected, enantiomers rotate plane polarized light in the opposite direction but by the same magnitude. The thermal behavior of the compounds was established by using a combination of optical polarizing microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and powder X‐ray diffraction. These complementary techniques demonstrate the existence of the expected, thermodynamically stable, chiral smectic C (SmC*) LC phase besides blue phase I/II (BPI or BPII) and chiral nematic (N*) phase. However, as noted in our previous analogous study, the vast majority of the Schiff bases show an additional metastable, unfamiliar smectic (SmX) phase just below the SmC* phase. Notably, the SmC* phase persists over the temperature range ≈80–115 °C. Two mesogens chosen each from Schiff bases and salicylaldimines were investigated for their electrical switching behavior. The study reveals the ferroelectric switching characteristics of the SmC* phase featuring the spontaneous polarization (P_S) in the range 69–96 nC cm^?2. The helical twist sense of the SmC* phase as well as the N* phase formed by a pair of enantiomeric Schiff bases and salicylaldimines has been established with the help of circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopic technique. As expected, the SmC* and the N* phase of a pair of enantiomers showed mirror image CD signals. Most importantly, the reversal of helical handedness from left to right and vice versa has been evidenced during the N* to SmC* phase transition, implying that the screw sense of the helical array of the N* phase and the SmC* phase of an enantiomer is opposite.     

A novel nitrate-selective electrode based on precipitated nitron nitrate

Summary A nitrate-selective electrode based on precipitated nitron nitrate in an epoxy resin matrix has been prepared. The lower detection limit is 10^–5 M, the optimum pH range is 2.0–8.5, and the response time is 1 min. The electrode is selective in presence of CH₃COO^–, SO₄ ^2–, C₂O₄ ^2–, PO₄ ^3–, NO₂ ^–, Cl^– and Br^–, but I^– interferes. Results for nitrate in soil samples were in agreement with values obtained spectrophotometrically.

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Eine neue nitrat-spezifische Elektrode auf der Basis gefällten Nitronnitrats

Zusammenfassung Eine nitrat-spezifische Elektrode auf der Basis gefällten Nitronnitrats in einer Epoxyharz-Matrix wurde hergestellt. Die untere Nachweisgrenze ist 10^–5 M, das pH-Optimum liegt zwischen 2,0 und 8,5, die Reaktionszeit beträgt 1 Minute. Die Elektrode ist selektiv in Gegenwart von Acetat, Sulfat, Oxalat, Phosphat, Nitrit, Chlorid und Bromid; aber Jodid stört. Ergebnisse der Nitratbestimmung in Bodenproben stimmen mit spektrophotometrischen Resultaten überein.

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Presented at the 8th International Microchemical Symposium, Graz, August 25–30, 1980.     

The electronic structure of polydiacetylenes: cyclic versus linear models

The electronic structure of polydiacetylenes is investigated with SCF calculations as a function of backbone structure and chain length. The first dipole-allowed excitation (band gap) is red-shifted for the transformation from polydiacetylene (PDA) to polybutatriene (PBT) for cyclic chains The band gap for linear chains is blue-shifted for short chains, for linear chains containing 36 (or more) carbon atoms the band gap is red-shifted.     

Electron-impact-induced 3,3-sigmatropic rearrangement and cyclization in phenyl allenylmethyl ethers

A 3,3-sigmatropic rearrangement in the M^+· of phenyl allenylmethyl ether is proposed for the observed losses of CO, C₂H₄, and CH₃. Direct cyclization in the M^+· also leads to the [M?CH₃] ion. The presence of sulfur as the heteroatom in phenyl allenylmethyl sulfide does not significantly influence the occurrence of Claisen rearrangement. Ortho interaction of the nitro group with the allenyl double bond in the side chain leads to characteristic fragment ions in 2-nitrophenyl allenylmethyl ether. Linked scans, high-resolution mass spectrometry, collision-activated dissociation-B/E linked-scan spectra, and D-labeling have been employed to support the proposed mechanisms and ion structures.     

Radiationless transitions in trivalent lanthanide ions embedded in solids

Radiationless transitions in lanthanide ions embedded in glassy and crystalline hosts have been briefly reviewed. The correlations of multiphonon relaxation rates with energy gaps, vibrational frequencies, temperatures and electronic symmetries have been discussed. The essence of various theories, such as Nth order methods, non-adiabatic Hamiltonian method, dynamic coupling model has also been presented.     

Immobilization of single-strand specific nuclease (S1 nuclease) fromAspergillus oryzae

S1 nuclease fromAspergillus oryzae (EC 3.1.30.1) was coupled to gelatin-alginate composite matrix using the residual free aldehyde groups on the surface of glutaraldehyde crosslinked matrix. The immobilized enzyme retained approximately 10% activity of the soluble enzyme. When partially purified enzyme was bound to the matrix, the immobilized preparation did not show any detectable enzyme activity. However, the activity could be restored when the coupling was carried out in the presence of a coprotein or substrate. The optimum pH of the immobilized S1 nuclease shifted to 3.8 from 4.3 for the soluble enzyme. Also, optimum temperature increased to 65°C after immobilization. Bound S1 nuclease showed increased pH and temperature stabilities. Immobilization brought about a twofold decrease in the Michaelis-Menton constant (K _m).     

Chiral discrimination of a gemini-type surfactant with rigid spacer at the air-water interface

Spontaneous separation of chiral phases was observed in the monolayers of a racemate of gemini-type twin-tailed, twin-chiral amphiphiles, (2R,3R)-(+)-bis(decyloxy)succinic acid and (2S,3S)-(-)-bis(decyloxy)succinic acid. The pressure-area isotherms of the interfacial monolayers formed at the liquid-air interface, and the 2D lattice structures studied through surface probe measurements revealed that the racemate exhibits a homochiral discrimination of the enantiomers in two dimensions. An enantiomeric excess (e,e) of 20% was sufficient to break the chiral symmetry at the air-water interface for a homochiral interaction. Langmuir monolayers on ZnCl2 and CaCl2 subphases manifested chiral discrimination with Zn2+ evidencing homochiral interaction with a chelate-type complex, whereas Ca2+ resulted in a heterochiral interaction forming an ionic-type complex. For the chiral asymmetric units, oblique and rectangular unit cells of the racemic monolayer had exclusive requirements of homo- and heterochiral recognitions for Zn2+ and Ca2+ ions, respectively. Monolayers transferred from the condensed phase at 25 mN/m onto hydrophilic Si(100) and quartz substrates revealed the formation of bilayers through transfer-induced monolayer buckling. The emergence of homochiral discrimination was explained using the effective-pair-potential (EPP) approach.