Competitive Complexation by Ligand and Solvent: Polarographic Characterization of ATRP Catalyst Polyamine–Copper Complexes in Acetonitrile + Water Mixed Solvents

In the Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP) technique, the suggested polymerization scheme is pivoted by a metal complex acting as a redox catalyst able to coordinate with the incipient radicals. The development of an a priori criterion of choice of the best (complex + solvent) combination is one of the current topics in this field. In this context we performed polarographic investigations on copper complexes with multidentate amino ligands (TMEDA and Me₆TREN, plus acetonitrile as a reference) in water and in water + acetonitrile mixed solvents. In the latter case we took into account the competition between the co-solvent acetonitrile [a weaker ligand, but concentrated, selectively stabilizing Cu(I)], and the polyamine [a stronger ligand, but diluted, preferentially stabilizing Cu(II)], achieving further stabilization of the complexed copper, with a narrow potential range of stability as Cu(I), which is modulated through the acetonitrile/polyamine ratio. An interpretative scheme is presented.     

A new “Projective relativity” based on the De Sitter universe

It is possible to develop a new projective relativity based on the De Sitter universe with constant curvature. This theory extends the special theory of relativity on a cosmic scale, and it is akin to Milne's kinematic relativity.     

PHOTOCHEMICAL-LIKE DESTRUCTION OF TRYPTOPHAN IN SERUM ALBUMINS INDUCED BY ENZYME-GENERATED TRIPLET SPECIES

Abstract —Human and bovine serum albumin quench enzyme-generated acetone phosphorescence ( K _sv= ca . 10⁴ M ¹). Concomitantly, these proteins are altered as shown by diminished tryptophan absorption at 280 nm, appearance of products of the formylkynurenine type (_max= ca . 320 nm) and disappearance of tryptophan fluorescence. These alterations—which are similar to those induced photochemically—were also observed with serum albumins exposed to enzyme-generated triplet acetaldehyde. On the other hand, triplet acetone generated by the thermolysis of tetramethyldioxetane failed to induce alterations. Presumably energy transfer occurs from the enzyme-generated triplet species to tryptophan group(s) in the serum albumin associated with the acting enzyme. The detailed mechanism is, however, not yet understood.     

Molecular determinants for drug-receptor interactions. 8. Anisotropic and internal motions in morphine, nalorphine, oxymorphone, naloxone and naltrexone in aqueous solution by carbon-13 NMR spin-lattice relaxation times

Carbon-13 NMR spin-lattice relaxation times (T₁) were measured for morphine, oxymorphone, nalorphine, naloxone and naltrexone as hydrochloride salts in ²H₂O solution. The data refer to the molecules in the N-equatorial configuration. The experimental T₁ values were interpreted using a model of anisotropic reorientation of a rigid body with superimposed internal motions of the flexible N-methyl, N-methyl-allyl and N-methyl-cyclopropyl fragments. The calculated internal motional rates were found to markedly decrease on passing from agonists to mixed (nalorphine) and pure (naloxone, naltrexone) antagonists. For these latter the observed trend of the internal flexibility about N---C and C---C bonds of the N-substituents is discussed in terms of a correlation with their relative antagonistic potencies. In fact, such an evidence of decreasing internal conformational dynamics in the order nalorphine, naloxone, naltrexone, appeared interestingly in line with the “two-state” model of opiate receptor operation mode proposed by Snyder.     

Carbon-13 NMR and CNDO/2 studies of phenoxachalcogenins

The ¹³C chemical shifts of the carbon atoms in dibenzodioxin, phenoxathiin, phenoxaselenin and phenoxatellurin were determined in CDCl₃ solutions and assigned. The total (σ and π) charge densitites on the carbon atoms calculated by the CNDO/2 method without consideration of d-orbitals correlated well with the experimentally determined shifts. Rather good agreement was also found between experimental shifts and shifts calculated from ¹³C data for phenyl methyl chalcogenides on the assumption that a phenoxachalcogenin molecule can be assembled from C₆H₅O and C₆H₅X groups. Only the shifts of the carbon atoms bonded to the heavier chalcogen atoms show an upfield trend in the sequence O, S, Se, Te. All other shifts exhibit a downfield trend. These trends are rationalized in terms of the electronegativities, abilities to participate in π-interactions, and anisotropy effects of the chalcogen atoms.     

Synthesis and characterization of rhodium(III), iridium(III), ruthenium(III) and osmium(III) complexes containing sterically hindered heterocyclic ligands

Summary Some thiazolidine-2-thione and thiomorpholin-3-one complexes of rhodium(lll), iridium(III), ruthenium(III) and osmium(III) have been prepared and characterized by chemical analysis, conductivity measurements, room temperature magnetic moment studies, electronic, i.r. and far i.r. spectra and n.m.r. measurements. From the magnetic properties it was concluded that the above ligands form low-spin complexes with all the metal ions. The position and multiplicity of the metal-halogen stretching modes in the far-i.r. region have been extensively investigated and discussed; the results are particularly useful in distinguishing between themer- andfac-isomers in the octahedral compounds of the ML₃ X₃ type. The wavelengths of the principal electronic absorption peaks have been accounted for quantitatively in terms of the crystal field theory and the various parameters have been calculated. On the basis of the electronic spectra a trigonal bipyramidal geometry,D _3h, has been established for the Ru(tm)₂Cl₃ complex; the Ir(rm)₂Cl₃ · H₂O complex has also been prepared. It is penta-coordinated and a trigonal bipyramidal environment is suggested for the iridium(III) ion.     

High throughput screening of genetic polymorphisms by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

In the post genomic era, the screening of many different genetic polymorphisms in large populations represents a major goal that will facilitate the understanding of individual genetic variability in the development of multi factor diseases and in drug response and toxicities. The increasing interest in these pathogenetic and pharmacogenomic studies by both academic and pharmaceutical industry researchers has increased the demand for broad genome association studies. This demand has produced a boom in the development of new and robust high throughput screening methods for genotype analysis. Matrix-assisted laser-desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) represents an emerging and powerful technique for DNA analysis because of its high speed, accuracy, no label requirement, and cost-effectiveness. So far, many MALDI-TOF MS approaches have been developed for rapid screening of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), variable sequences repeat, epigenotype analysis, quantitative allele studies, and for the discovery of new genetic polymorphisms. The more established methods are based on single base primer extension and minisequencing implemented with new chemical features to overcome the limitations associated with DNA analysis using MALDI-TOF MS. These new promising methods of genotyping include both photochemical and other different chemical and enzyme cleavage strategies that facilitate sample automation and MS analysis for both real-time genotyping and resequencing screening. In this review, we analyze and discuss in depth the advantages and the limitations of the more recent developments in MALDI-TOF MS analysis for large-scale genomic studies applications.     

Reaction between 2,2′ -dithiodianiline and acetylenic ketones or esters. A new synthesis of 4H-1,4-benzothiazines

The title compounds ( 3a-c ) together with the benzothiazolines ( 4b-c ) were obtained by reaction between 2,2′ -dithiodianiline ( 1 ) and acetylenic ketone ( 2a ) or esters ( 2b-c ). A possible pathway involving the formation and subsequent cyclization to 3 of enamine intermediates A and/or B , is suggested.     

Molecular weight distribution in emulsion polymerization. II. The copolymer case

A model for evaluating instantaneous degree of polymerization distribution and the chain composition distribution of copolymers produced in emulsion is developed. The approach adopted is based on the mathematics of Markov processes and represents an extension of the one developed for homopolymers in Part I. As in the homopolymer case, the main aspect of the theoretical treatment is the definition of the proper one step transition probability matrix through the so called subprocess-main process procedure. The model accounts for monomolecular and bimolecular termination (both by combination and disproportionation) and, in principle, it can be applied to any number of reacting monomer species as well as to any number of active chains per particle. However, only the 0–1–2 and 0–1–2–3 emulsion copolymerization systems are discussed in detail. In the case of the chain composition distribution, the model allows the calculation of its moments only, through the method of the Generating Function associated with the probability density function. The expression obtained for the instantaneous probability density functions, as well as for the corresponding cumulative distributions, are all in explicit form and involve only algebraic operations among matrices. Efficient numerical procedure for their application are reported in the Appendix. Illustrative calculations are reported for a 0–1–2–3 copolymerization system, simulating the copolymer styrene–methylmethacrylate. The effect of the various termination mechanisms on the distribution of degrees of polymerization and on the first two moments of the chain composition distribution is discussed in detail. Finally, the three dimensional overall distribution function of both chain length and composition is shown under the assumption of Gaussian type chain composition distribution.     

Site chirality as a messenger in chain-end stereocontrolled propene polymerization

The origin of stereoselectivity in the chain-end controlled syndiospecific polymerization of propene with octahedral Ti-catalysts is unclear. We present a possible mechanism which is based on the site chirality as a messenger of information between the chirality of the chain-end and the chirality of monomer insertion which can operate for secondary propagation. This mechanism could be operative also for the industrially relevant V-based homogeneous catalysts.