A triply templated artificial beta-sheet.

This paper describes the design, synthesis, and structural evaluation of a compound (4) comprising three molecular templates and a peptide strand that mimics a three-stranded protein beta-sheet. Two of the templates mimic the hydrogen-bonding functionality of peptide beta-strands and serve as the top and bottom strands by embracing the peptide strand, which is located in the middle of the sheet. The remaining template holds the three strands next to each other. The synthesis of artificial beta-sheet 4 begins with the bottom template and involves the sequential addition of the middle and top strands. (1)H NMR chemical shift and NOE studies establish that this compound folds to adopt a hydrogen-bonded beta-sheetlike structure in CDCl(3) solution. Chemical shift studies indicate that triply stranded artificial beta-sheet 4 is more tightly folded than its smaller doubly stranded homologue, artificial beta-sheet 1.     

Insulator—conductor transition in tetracyanoplatinate complexes

The changes in electronic structure of the tetracyanoplatinate complex accompanying the transition [Pt(CN)^2?₄]_n(insulator) + oxidant → [Pt(CN)^{2 ?q+}₄]_n(conductor) have been investigated with a cluster model approach. Calculations for trimer (n = 3) cluster models of the insulator and conductor have been performed with the self-consistent-field Xα Dirac scattered-wave method. Based on the cluster electronic structure, we infer that the valence band edge in the insulator is not d_zz like, but consists of metal (dδ + dπ) and ligand character. Partial oxidation of this band results in a shortening of the inter-stack distance, leading in turn to a partially occupied d_zz-like valence band. Thus electron transport occurs along the Pt backbone.     

Maximal subgroups of exceptional groups of Lie type,finite and algebraic

The maximal closed subgroups of positive dimension in simple algebraic groups of exceptional type over algebraically closed fields are determined, subject to certain restrictions on the characteristic. This result is used to prove a reduction theorem for maximal subgroups of finite exceptional groups of Lie type: such a subgroup is either of known type, or it is almost simple. Finally, the generic almost simple maximal subgroups are determined for large characteristic.Dedicated to Professor J. Tits on the occasion of his sixtieth birthdaySupported in part by NSF and NSA grants and an SERC visiting fellowship at Imperial College, London.     

Hydrogen bond-stabilized helix formation of a m-phenylene ethynylene oligomer

[reaction: see text] Incorporation of a single hydrogen bonded beta-turn mimic in the backbone of a m-phenylene ethynylene oligomer is shown to affect the thermodynamic properties of the folding reaction. Oligomers 1 and 2 both undergo solvophobic helix formation, but hydrogen bonded oligomer 1 was found to form a more stable helix with a higher tolerance to solvent denaturation than isomeric, non-hydrogen bonded oligomer 2.     

The electrochemistry of square planar macrocyclic nickel complexes and the reaction of Ni(I) with alkyl bromides: Tetradentate Schiff base complexes

The electrochemistry of nine square planar macrocyclic Schiff base complexes of Ni(II) has been investigated in aprotic solvents. It is shown that all form Ni(I) complexes, and with one exception these species may be reacted with alkyl bromides in processes which are catalytic with respect to the nickel complex. The dependence of the electrochemical parameters and the mechanism and kinetics of the coupled chemical reactions on the structure of the ligands is discussed.     

The catalysis of the electrochemical reduction of alkyl bromides by nickel complexes: The formation of carboncarbon bonds

The square planar, macrocyclic nickel complex, N, N′-ethylenebis(salicylideneiminato)nickel(II), is shown to be an effective catalyst for the electrochemical reduction of substituted alkyl bromides; this indirect cathodic reduction can lead to a good yield of dimeric products. The reduction of alkyl bromides in the presence of an activated olefin is shown to lead to mixtures of products compatible with radical addition to the double bond. The mechanism of the reaction of nickel(I) complexes with alkyl bromides is discussed in the light of these results.     

Comparison of the Properties of SnCl(3)(-) and SnBr(3)(-) Complexes of Platinum(II)

The complexes M(3)[Pt(SnX(3))(5)] (M = Bu(4)N(+), PhCH(2)PPh(3)(+); X = Cl, Br), cis-M(2)[PtX(2)(SnX(3))(2)] (M = Bu(4)N(+), PhCH(2)PPh(3)(+), CH(3)PPh(3)(+), Pr(4)N(+); X = Cl, Br), and [PhCH(2)PPh(3)](2)[PtBr(3)(SnBr(3))] have been prepared and characterized by (119)Sn and (195)Pt NMR, far-infrared, and electronic absorption and emission spectroscopies. In acetone solutions the [Pt(SnX(3))(5)](3)(-) ions retain their trigonal bipyramidal structures but are stereochemically nonrigid as evidenced by (119)Sn and (195)Pt NMR spectroscopy. For [Pt(SnCl(3))(5)](3)(-) spin correlation is preserved between 183 and 363 K establishing that the nonrigidity is due to intramolecular tin site exchange, probably via Berry pseudorotation. Whereas, [Pt(SnCl(3))(5)](3)(-) does not undergo loss of SnCl(3)(-) or SnCl(2) to form either [Pt(SnCl(3))(4)](2)(-) or [PtCl(2)(SnCl(3))(2)](2)(-), [Pt(SnBr(3))(5)](3)(-) is not stable in acetone solution in the absence of excess SnBr(2) and forms [PtBr(2)(SnBr(3))(2)](2)(-) and [PtBr(3)(SnBr(3))](2)(-) by loss of SnBr(2). Similarly, [PtCl(2)(SnCl(3))(2)](2)(-) is stable in acetone at ambient temperatures but disproportionates at elevated temperatures and [PtBr(2)(SnBr(3))(2)](2)(-) loses SnBr(2) in acetone to form [PtBr(3)(SnBr(3))](2)(-). The crystal structures of methyltriphenylphosphonium cis-dibromobis(tribromostannyl)platinate(II) and benzyltriphenylphosphonium tribromo(tribromostannyl)platinate(II) have been determined. Both compounds crystallize in the triclinic space group P&onemacr; in unit cells with a = 12.293(16) ?, b = 12.868(6) ?, c = 25.047(8) ?, alpha = 96.11(3) degrees, beta = 91.06(3) degrees, gamma = 116.53(3) degrees, rho(calc) = 2.30 g cm(-)(3), Z = 3 and with a = 11.046(7) ?, b = 14.164(9) ?, c = 22.549(10) ?, alpha = 89.44(4) degrees, beta = 83.32(5) degrees, gamma = 68.31(5) degrees, rho(calc) = 1.893 g cm(-)(3), Z = 2, respectively. Least-squares refinements converged at R = 0.057 and 0.099 for 4048 and 4666 independent observed reflections with I/sigma(I) > 3.0 and I/sigma(I) > 2.0, respectively. For the former, the asymmetric unit contains 1.5 cis-[PtBr(2)(SnBr(3))(2)](2)(-) ions, 0.5 of which is disordered in such a way as to be pseudocentrosymmetric. This disordering involves a half-occupied PtBr(2) unit appearing on either side of the center. Simultaneously, one bromine from each SnBr(3) ligand changes sides while the other two bromines appear in average positions with very small displacements between their positions. The Pt-Sn distance in [PtBr(3)(SnBr(3))](2)(-) (2.486(3) ?) is slightly shorter than that incis-[PtBr(2)(SnBr(3))(2)](2)(-) (2.4955(3) ?, average), and both are significantly longer than that previously found in cis-[PtCl(2)(SnCl(3))(2)](2)(-) (2.3556 ?, average), which is not consistent with the relative magnitudes of the (1)J((195)Pt-(119)Sn) coupling constants (28 487, 25 720, and 27 627 Hz, respectively). From our electronic absorption and emission studies of the Pt-SnX(3)(-) complexes, we conclude that (a) the low-energy transitions are d-d transitions analogous to those found in [PtX(4)](2)(-) systems, (b) the SnCl(3)(-) ligand is a stronger sigma donor than SnBr(3)(-), (c) the triplet state from which the emission occurs is split by spin-orbit coupling into different spin-orbit states, (d) a forbidden spin-orbit state must lie at or near the bottom of the spin-orbit manifold, (e) the solid state crystal environment perturbs the platinum-tin halide electronic states, and (f) dispersion of the samples in solvents changes this perturbation, which can be rationalized in terms of an in-plane distortion of the square planar platinum coordination sphere.     

Biocatalytic synthesis of polymers. II. Preparation of [AA–BB]x polyesters by porcine pancreatic lipase catalyzed transesterification in anhydrous,low polarity organic solvents

Enzyme-catalyzed preparation of polymers offers several potentially valuable advantages over the usual polymerization procedures. (1) Such polymerizations may allow the polymer to retain functionality that would be destroyed under normal polymerization conditions. (2) The selectivity provided by enzyme catalysts may permit polymers, including optically active polymers, to be prepared that are either not accessible or accessible only with difficulty by other methods. (3) The characteristics of the enzyme and the mild polymerization conditions may permit formation of polymers having highly regular sizes and backbone structures. This report describes the first successful use of an enzyme-catalyzed polycondensation to prepare a chiral (AA–BB)_x polyesters of more than a few repeat units. Polymerization of bis(2,2,2-trichloroethyl) alkanedioates (BB) with diols (AA) using the enzyme porcine pancreatic lipase (PPL) as a catalyst is detailed. The polycondensations were carried out at ambient temperature in anhydrous, low polarity organic solvents such as ether, THF, and methylene chloride. End group analysis by NMR provided M_n values of 1300–8200 daltons while GPC provided M_w values of 2800–14900 daltons for the polymers. Based on proton NMR spectra obtained during the polymerization, relatively rapid formation of an AA–BB “dimer” and an AA–BB–AA “trimer,” slower formation of a BB–AA–BB “trimer,” and subsequent condensation of these to give higher polymers are suggested to be components of the polymerization mechanism.     

Evaluation of Contaminated Sediments by Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure Extraction Techniques

The metals Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn were measured by using the Total Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) extracts from sediment samples taken from Bayou d'Inde, southwestern Louisiana. Bayou d'Inde has been severely contaminated by numerous industrial and municipal outfalls along its length. Fishing advisories have been posted to prevent excessive consumption of fish caught within the bayou. Sediment samples were crushed and allowed to pass through a 20-mesh sieve (<0.85 mm), well below the maximum particle size of 9.5 mm mandated by the TCLP extraction procedure. Despite the small particle size used in this study and the extraction of heavy metals from contaminated sediments, none of the studied metals in the extracts exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency limits of 100 times the maximum contaminant levels given in the primary and secondary drinking water standards.