Single-Molecule single crystals of isotactic polystyrene

Single-molecule single crystals were grown from amorphous droplets of fractionated isotactic polystyrene. The crystals were analyzed by electron microscopy and electron diffraction. The molecular mass distribution could be matched with a statistical analysis of single-molecule particles (amorphous and crystals). Proof was brought that single molecules of isotactic polystyrene do not reach equilibrium dimensions on crystallization, rather assume the lamellar morphology with chain-folded macroconformation, also known from crystallization of polymolecular crystals. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

1 This article is a US Government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America. US Government contract No. DE-AC05-840R-21400.

     

The thermal properties of complex, nanophase-separated macromolecules as revealed by temperature-modulated calorimetry

Linear, flexible macromolecules are long recognized as phase structures limited to micrometer and nanometer dimensions with covalent bonds crossing the interfaces. This special, usually non-equilibrium structure leads to unique properties and a multitude of changes for different thermal and mechanical histories. Analyses that enable the study of these properties are temperature-modulated calorimetry and related techniques which allow the separation of equilibrium and non-equilibrium responses. Research on these topics is reviewed and combined to a model for the nanophases. The new approach to the complex nanophase systems yields a better understanding of the relationship between structure and thermodynamic properties. Special emphasis is placed on the size and surface effects on the glass and melting transitions, the development of rigid-amorphous phases, and the reversible melting within the globally metastable structure.     

A 50% n-octylmethyl, 50% diphenyl-polysiloxane as stationary phase with unique selectivity for gas chromatography

An n-octylmethyl, diphenyl-polysiloxane called SOP-50-Octyl was prepared by a condensation reaction of bis(dimethylamino) n-octylmethylsilane with diphenylsilanediol. The resulting copolymer was a gum with high molecular weight and was obtained with a yield of 80%. 1H and 29Si NMR spectroscopy revealed that the copolymer was a 52% octylmethyl, 48% diphenyl-polysiloxane with random microstructure. Small cyclic impurities could be almost quantitatively removed via a purification step. SOP-50-Octyl was used as stationary phase for the preparation of wall coated open tubular fused silica capillary columns for gas-liquid chromatography. The capillary columns exhibited high separation efficiency and high inertness. The stationary phase offered a unique selectivity due to its unique composition. The Rohrschneider-McReynolds constants indicated a low overall polarity in spite of the high phenyl content, as the polarity was distinctly decreased by the octyl substituent. Furthermore, the octyl substituent was responsible for a high column bleed, reducing the maximum allowable operating temperature to 280 degrees C. The elution temperatures of apolar compounds were increased due to increased interaction of the octyl substituent with the analytes. Some applications with volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds illustrate that SOP-50-Octyl is an excellent choice for confirmational analyses.     

{(MesGa)3[GaP(H)Mes](PMes)4}, Ein phosphorsubstituiertes Ga?P-Heterocuban

{(MesGa)₃[GaP(H)Mes](PMes)₄}, a Phosphorus-substituted Ga? P-Heterocubane A mixture of MesGaCl₂/GaCl₃ (ratio 3:1) reacts with 5 equivalents of MesPLi₂ in THF at ?78°C to the title compound {(MesGa)₃[GaP(H)Mes](PMes)₄} ( 1 ) by use of the “dilution principle”. 1 can be obtained in 30% yield. Recrystallization of 1 from DME and toluene, respectively, gives 1 · 0.5 DME and 1 · toluene. 1 was characterized by NMR-, IR-, and MS-techniques. According to the X-ray structure determination of 1 · toluene, 1 has a heterocubane structure, one corner of which is substituted with an P(H)Mes group.     

Complex formation of isocytosine tautomers with PdII and PtII

Isocytosine (ICH) exists in solution as two major tautomers, the keto form with N1 carrying a proton (1a) and the keto form with N3 being protonated (1b). In water, 1a and 1b exist in equilibrium with almost equal amounts of both forms present. Reactions with a series of Pd(II) and Pt(II) am(m)ine species such as (dien)Pd(II), (dien)Pt(II), and trans-(NH(3))(2)Pt(II) reveal, however, a distinct preference of these metals for the N3 site, as determined by (1)H NMR spectroscopy. Individual species have been identified by the pD dependence of the ICH resonances. pK(a) values (calculated for H(2)O) for deprotonation of the individual tautomers complexes are 6.5 and 6.4 for the N3 linkage isomers of dienPd(II) and dienPt(II), respectively, as well as 6.2 and 6.0 for the N1 linkage isomers. The dimetalated species [(dienM)(2)(IC-N1,N3)](3+) (M = Pd(II) or Pt(II)) are insensitive over a wide range of pD. The crystal structure analysis of [(dien)Pd(ICH-N3)](NO(3))(2) is reported. Ab initio calculations have been performed for tautomer compounds of composition [(NH(3))(3)Pt(ICH)](2+), cis- and trans-[(NH(3))(2)PtCl(ICH)](+), as well as trans-[(NH(3))(2)Pt(ICH)(2)](2+). Without exception, N3 linkage isomers are more stable, in agreement with experimental findings. As to the reasons for this binding preference, an NBO (natural bond orbital) analysis for [(NH(3))(3)Pt(ICH-N3)](2+)strongly suggests that intramolecular hydrogen bonding between trans-positioned NH(3) ligands and the two exocyclic groups of the ICH is of prime importance. The calculations furthermore show a marked pyramidalization of the NH(2) group of ICH in the complex once the heterocyclic ligand forms a dihedral angle <90 degrees with the Pt coordination plane.     

Synthese und Kristallstrukturen der Phosphanimin-Komplexe MCl2(Me3SiNPMe3)2 mit M = Zn und Co,und CoCl2(HNPMe3)2

Syntheses and Crystal Structures of the Phosphaneimine Complexes MCl₂(Me₃SiNPMe₃)₂ with M = Zn and Co, and CoCl₂(HNPMe₃)₂ The molecular complexes MCl₂(Me₃SiNPMe₃)₂ (M = Zn, Co) have been prepared by the reaction of the dichlorides of zinc and cobalt with Me₃SiNPMe₃ in CH₃CN and CH₂Cl₂, respectively, whereas the complex CoCl₂(HNPMe₃)₂ has been prepared by the reaction of CoCl₂ with NaF in boiling acetonitrile in the presence of Me₃SiNPMe₃. All complexes were characterized by IR spectroscopy and by crystal structure determinations. The complexes MCl₂(Me₃SiNPMe₃)₂ crystallize isotypically. ZnCl₂(Me₃SiNPMe₃)₂: Space group P2₁2₁2₁, Z = 4, 2677 observed unique reflections, R = 0.024. Lattice dimensions at ?70°C: a = 1243.6; b = 1319.0; c = 1464.7 pm. CoCl₂(Me₃SiNPMe₃)₂: Space group P2₁2₁2₁, Z = 4, 3963 observed unique reflections, R = 0,071. Lattice dimensions at ?80°C: a = 1236.3; b = 1317.4; c = 1457.6 pm. CoCl₂(HNPMe₃)₂ · CH₂Cl₂: Space group Pbca, Z = 8, 1354 observed unique reflections, R = 0.055. Lattice dimensions at ?80°C: a = 1247.3; b = 998.4; c = 2882.4 pm. All complexes have monomeric molecular structures, in which the metal atoms are coordinated in a distorted tetrahedral fashion by the two chlorine atoms and by the nitrogen atoms of the phosphaneimine molecules.     

Untersuchungen über Enzymaktivitäten der Leberzelle bei Vitamin-E-Mangel

The enzymatic elongation of acyl-CoA esters by malonyl-CoA, respectively de novo synthesis of fatty acids from malonyl-CoA by liver microsomes and non particulate fraction of α-tocopherol deficient rats is diminished versus controls. However, liver microsomes of vitamin E deficient rats synthesize more eicosatetraenic acid from γ-linolenic acid and more γ-linolenic acid from linolic acid than do those of tocopherol supplemented animals. It has often been shown that the liver phosphatides of tocopherol deficient rats contain more arachidonic acid than those of controls, a fact which can be explained now by increased activity of the enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of arachidonic acid. Certain polyenic fatty acids are more rapidly synthesized in the absence of naturally occuring antioxidants. Some enzymes of the respiratory chain have also been examined. No vitamin E deficiency effect has been found on enzymes such as gluconate-6-P-dehydrogenase, isocitrate-dehydrogenase, malate-dehydrogenase and lactate dehydrogenase contained in the non particulate fraction. Sonicated mitochondria of tocopherol deficient rats show a greater activity towards cytochrome, oxydase and β-hydroxy-acetyl-CoA-dehydrogenase than controls, possibly due to ultrastractural alteration of this particle.     

Calculation of the frequencies and intensities in the infrared and raman spectra of cyclopropenone

By using the values of the vibrational frequencies of normal and deuterated cyclopropenone (II-d₀ , II-d₂ ) and ¹⁶ O-and ¹⁸ O-substituted dimethylcyclopropenone (III) as -well as the infrared and Raman intensities of II a consistent set of force constants has been derived for the cyclopropenone skeleton. The derived values show that the zwitterionic form makes a substantial contribution to the electronic ground state of the molecule. The combined frequency and intensity calculation - simulation of the infrared and the Raman spectrum - is shown to be a good method for making a proper assignment of calculated and observed vibrations and deriving realistic sets of force constants.     

An improved method for the synthesis of cellulose membrane-bound peptides with free C termini is useful for PDZ domain binding studies

SPOT synthesis permits parallel synthesis and screening of thousands of cellulose membrane-bound peptides to study protein-protein interactions in a proteomic context. Recognition of C-terminal residues is one of the most common binding features of PDZ domains. Unfortunately, most solid support-bound peptide libraries lack a free C terminus due to C-terminal fixation on the solid support. To overcome this restriction, we developed a robust methodology based on our previous strategy for generating peptides with authentic C termini. To validate this improved method, we screened a human peptide library of 6223 C termini with the syntrophin PDZ domain. Furthermore, using the same library, new peptide ligands derived from membrane proteins and receptors were found for the ERBIN PDZ domain. Finally, we identified the protein kinase breakpoint cluster region, which is known as a negative regulator of cell proliferation and oncogenic transformation, as an ERBIN ligand.     

Beitrag zur Sauerstoffbestimmung in Urancarbiden

Zusammenfassung Es wurden vergleichbare Versuche über die Bestimmung von Sauerstoff in Urancarbiden nach der Heißextraktionsmethode sowohl unter Vakuum als auch mit Hilfe des Trägergasverfahrens durchgeführt. Dabei zeigte es sich, daß für unsere Zwecke die Vakuumextraktion der Trägergasmethode überlegen ist. Von den untersuchten Badmetallen Eisen, Kobalt und Nickel lieferte das Kobalt bei Temperaturen von 1900 und 2000° C die besten Ergebnisse. Das Analysengut wurde in Stückchen in die Bäder gegeben. Die Verwendung von Pulvern erwies sich als ungünstig. Durch metallographische und autoradiographische Untersuchungen konnte dieses Verhalten u. a. durch Graphitausscheidungen in den Bädern erklärt werden. Thermodynamische Abschätzungen stimmten mit den Experimenten überein.

---

Summary Comparable experiments on the analysis of oxygen impurities in uranium carbides by vacuum-fusion and inertgas-fusion methods have been performed, using various temperatures and bath compositions (iron, cobalt, and nickel). The latter fusion method proved to be unsatisfactory. Best results were obtained by the vacuum-fusion method, using a cobalt bath at 1900–2000° C. Thermodynamic evaluations were in good agreement with the experimental results. Metallographic and autoradiographic investigations explained that the unfavourable behaviour of powdered samples compared to massive samples was above all due to the increasing graphite precipitation in the bath.

---

---

Fräulein U. Haarmann und Frau E. Popien danken wir für die tatkräftige Mithilfe bei der Durchführung der experimentellen Arbeiten.