Ferromagnetism in a dinuclear nickel(II) complex containing triethylenetetramine and tricyanomethanide

Triethylenetetramine (L(4)) was used as a tetradentate blocking ligand that, after complexation with Ni(II), leaves two sites ready for ligation with tricyanomethanide. The formed binuclear complex [L(4)Ni(NCC(CN)CN)(2)NiL(4)](ClO(4))(2) exhibits a ferromagnetic coupling with J/hc = +0.15 cm(-1) and g(Ni) = 2.126; below 16 K, a ferromagnetic ordering is evidenced by ac magnetic susceptibility (both in-phase and out-of-phase), magnetization, field-cooled magnetization, and zero-field-cooled magnetization measurements.     

Comparative molecular orbital study of polynitromethanes and their anions

The performance of ab initio STO-3G and CNDO/2 molecular orbital methods in the calculation of properties of polynitromethanes is studied.     

Thiyl radical interaction with pyrimidine C5-C6 double bond

Addition and elimination interaction of thiyl radicals with the C5-C6 double bond in pyrimidines was studied by the pulse radiolysis technique in aqueous solution with the use of different monitoring systems. For this purpose, p-thiocresol, cysteamine hydrochloride, and mercaptoethanol were used. The rate constants of addition and elimination of thiyl radicals were determined by applying the modified version of ACUCHEM (computer program for modeling complex reaction systems). Aliphatic thiyl radicals add to the pyrimidine C5-C6 double bond with k = 1.0-3.0 x 10(7) dm3 mol(-1) s(-1), whereas elimination takes place with k = 0.7-2.0 x 10(5) s(-1). Quantum chemical calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G(d)/PCM level show that the addition should occur at the C6 position of the pyrimidine ring and that the energy of interaction between thiyl radicals and the pyrimidine double bond C5-C6 is low.     

Alkaline Earth Transition Metal Antimonides AT4Sb12 (A = Ca,Sr, Ba; T = Fe,Ru, Os) with LaFe4P12-Structure

The title compounds were prepared by reaction of CaSb₂, SrSb₂, or BaSb₃ with the transition metals and antimony in sealed silica tubes. They crystallize with the cubic LaFe₄P₁₂-structure, which was refined from single-crystal X-ray data of CaFe₄Sb₁₂, SrRu₄Sb₁₂, and BaRu₄Sb₁₂ to residuals of R = 0.014, 0.016, and 0.014, respectively. The thermal parameters of the alkaline earth ions increase with decreasing ionic size. The Sb? Sb distances are greater in the iron compound than they are in the two ruthenium compounds. This is rationalized to be due to a larger portion of electrons in antibonding Sb? Sb states in the iron compound.     

Single cell manipulation, analytics, and label-free protein detection in microfluidic devices for systems nanobiology

Single cell analytics for proteomic analysis is considered a key method in the framework of systems nanobiology which allows a novel proteomics without being subjected to ensemble-averaging, cell-cycle, or cell-population effects. We are currently developing a single cell analytical method for protein fingerprinting combining a structured microfluidic device with latest optical laser technology for single cell manipulation (trapping and steering), free-solution electrophoretical protein separation, and (label-free) protein detection. In this paper we report on first results of this novel analytical device focusing on three main issues. First, single biological cells were trapped, injected, steered, and deposited by means of optical tweezers in a poly(dimethylsiloxane) microfluidic device and consecutively lysed with SDS at a predefined position. Second, separation and detection of fluorescent dyes, amino acids, and proteins were achieved with LIF detection in the visible (VIS) (488 nm) as well as in the deep UV (266 nm) spectral range for label-free, native protein detection. Minute concentrations of 100 fM injected fluorescein could be detected in the VIS and a first protein separation and label-free detection could be achieved in the UV spectral range. Third, first analytical experiments with single Sf9 insect cells (Spodoptera frugiperda) in a tailored microfluidic device exhibiting distinct electropherograms of a green fluorescent protein-construct proved the validity of the concept. Thus, the presented microfluidic concept allows novel and fascinating single cell experiments for systems nanobiology in the future.     

Synthesis of 2-amino-4-pyrimidinones from resin-bound guanidines prepared using bis(allyloxycarbonyl)-protected triflylguanidine

We have synthesized novel heterocyclic compounds from resin-bound guanidines. For this purpose, an amine immobilized on a solid support was acylated with protected amino acids. Following the deprotection, the liberated amines were guanidinylated utilizing a new member of the family of diurethane-protected triflyl guanidine reagents, N,N'-bis(allyloxycarbonyl)-N' '-triflylguanidine. The deprotected guanidines were subsequently regioselectively cyclized with beta-keto esters yielding novel compounds containing heterocyclic structures in high purities.     

Ionization of cyclic aromatic amines by free electron transfer: products are governed by molecule flexibility

The bimolecular electron transfer from secondary aromatic amines to parent radical cations of nonpolar solvents such as alkanes and alkyl chlorides results in the synchronous formation of amine radical cations as well as aminyl radicals, in comparable amounts. If as for cyclic aromatic amines (c-Ar(2)NH) the intramolecular bending motion around the amine group is restricted in varying degrees (acridane, phenothiazine) or completely prevented (carbazole), then this picture is modified. In the free electron transfer, the completely rigid carbazole yields exclusively amine radical cations. Acridane exhibits preferred radical cations, but phenothiazine with the more flexible six-membered ring involving sulfur as a further heteroatom follows the common two-product rule; see above. The phenomenon is reasoned by a peculiarity in the bimolecular free electron transfer where after diffusional approach the actual electron jump proceeds in the ultrashort time range. Therefore, it reflects femtosecond molecular motions which, in the case of free mobility, continuously pass through different molecule conformers, combined with fluctuation of the electrons of the responsible molecular n-orbitals. The rigid systems, however, do not show this effect because of a nonexistent bending motion.     

Chemie der Pleuromutiline,IX. Konfigurationsumkehr der Methylgruppe am Kohlenstoff 6 im tricyclischen Gerüst des Diterpens Pleuromutilin

The contact of pleuromutilin derivatives with the protein moiety of cytochrome P-450 as well as its orientation towards the heme iron is mainly dependent on the steric environment of the hydrindanone-part of the tricyclus. The apparent affinity between substrate and enzyme, which is correlated with the rate of metabolism can be reduced by inversion of configuration at carbon 6. This inversion is achieved by equilibrating the diastereomeric ketones12 and13 followed by a selective reduction of the keto group at position 7. The 6-methylgroup of14 was assigned α-configuration on the basis of spectroscopic data in comparison to those of the naturally configurated compound14a.     

Microwave-assisted extraction of zearalenone from wheat and corn

A microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) method has been developed for determination of zearalenone in wheat and corn by LC-MS with an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization interface (APCI). Matrix effects were minimized by use of matrix-matched standard curves for quantification of the analyte. The limit of quantification (LOQ) of the method was 30 ng g(-1) in wheat and 20 ng g(-1) in corn. The rapid LC-MS method enabled analysis of the extracts without clean-up, thereby reducing analyte losses, the time required for the analytical procedure, and costs. A factorial design approach was used to examine the effect on extraction efficiency of the main extraction conditions - time, temperature, and solvent. On the basis of results from statistical assessment extraction was performed with 1:1 (v/v) methanol-acetonitrile at 80 degrees C for 5 min. When these extraction conditions were applied to a wheat sample from a recently conducted international proficiency test, 92% (103 ng g(-1)) of the assigned zearalenone concentration (112 ng g(-1)) in the test material was obtained. This result was within the uncertainty (u) range of the assigned value of the test material (u=+/-15.8 ng g(-1), alpha=0.05) thereby demonstrating the accuracy of the method was sufficient. The precision of the whole method was also confirmed to be adequate, because the observed relative standard deviation (RSD) of 12% (n=10) also fulfils the quality criteria recommended by European guidelines for in-house method validation.     

Substituent Effects on the C-C Bond Strength, 15[1] Geminal Substituent Effects, 7[2]. Thermochemistry and Thermal Decomposition of Alkyl-substituted Tricyanomethyl Compounds

The thermolysis reactions of the tricyanomethyl compounds 10a-c were studied in solution. 2,2-Dicyano-3-methyl-3-phenylbutyronitrile ( 10a ) and 2,2-dicyano-3-methyl-3-(4-nitrophenyl)butyronitrile ( 10b ) decomposed heterolytically into carbenium ions and (CN)₃C⁻ anions, while 9-methyl-9-(tricyanomethyl)fluorene ( 10c ) underwent about 11% homolytic C-C bond cleavage into 9-methyl-9-fluorenyl- and tricyanomethyl radicals. The rates of the homolysis were determined by a radical scavenger procedure under conditions of pseudozero order kinetics. From the temperature effect on the rate constants the activation parameters were determined [ΔH ( 10c ) = 155· 2 kJ mol⁻¹, ΔS ( 10c ) = 58· 5 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹]. Standard enthalpies of formation ΔH (g) were determined for 2,2-dicyanopropionitrile ( 2 ) (422.45 kJ mol⁻¹), 2,2-dicyanohexanenitrile ( 3 ) (349.74 kJ mol⁻¹), 2,2-dicyano-3-phenylpropionitrile ( 4 ) (540.75 kJ mol⁻¹), 2-butyl-2-methylhexanentrile ( 5 ) (-133.20 kJ mol⁻¹), 2,2-dimethylpentanenitrile ( 6 ) (-45.78 kJ mol⁻¹), and 2-methylbutyronitrile ( 7 ) (2.44 kJ mol⁻¹) from the enthalpies of combustion and enthalpies of sublimation/vaporization. From these data and known Δ (g) values for alkanenitriles and -dinitriles, thermochemical increments for ΔH (g) were derived for alkyl groups with one, two, or three cyano groups attached. The comparison of these increments with those of alkanes reveals a strong geminal destabilization, which is interpreted by dipolar repulsions between the cyano groups. - From ΔH (g) of 10c and ΔH of its homolytic decomposition the radical stabilization enthalpy for the tricyanomethyl radical 1 RSE ( 1 ) = -18 kJ mol⁻¹ was determined. Thus, 1 is destabilized, in comparison with the RSEs of tertiary α-cyanalkyl (23 kJ mol⁻¹) and α,α-dicyanoalkyl (27 kJ mol⁻¹) radicals, which were recalculated from bond homolysis measurements^[4] and the new thermochemical data. This change of RSE on increasing the number of α-cyano groups is discussed as the result of the additive contributions by resonance stabilization and increasing destabilization by dipolar repulsion. The amount of the dipolar energies was estimated by molecular mechanics (MM2).