Photochemical release of nitric oxide from a regenerable, sol-gel encapsulated Ru-salen-nitrosyl complex

Light activation leads to release of NO from a silicate sol-gel material SG-RuNO prepared from the ruthenium complex, [Ru(salen)(OH2)(NO)]+ (salen = N,N'-bis-(salicylidene)ethyl-enediaminato); after photochemical NO photolabilization, SG-RuNO can be regenerated from the spent material via the subsequent reaction with aqueous nitrite.     

High-resolution radiocarbon dating of prehistoric sites in southern Italy

A new facility for accelerator mass spectrometry radiocarbon dating has been put in operation at the University of Lecce in southern Italy. The general features of the facility are described, showing how by the use of electrostatic and magnetic analyzers the radiocarbon content in several kinds of sample materials can be measured. The performances of the system are also given in terms of precision, accuracy and background. The results of the radiocarbon dating of two prehistoric sites are also reported. PACS 93.85.+q     

Synthesis of cis- and trans-2,5-disubstituted tetrahydrofurans by a tandem dihydroxylation-SN2 cyclization sequence

[reaction: see text] Dihydroxylation of delta- and epsilon-mesyloxy alpha,beta-unsaturated esters proceeds with in situ cyclization to afford 2,5-disubstituted and 2,3,5-trisubstituted tetrahydrofurans.     

In vivo (31)P-MRS assessment of cytosolic [Mg(2+)] in the human skeletal muscle in different metabolic conditions

Cytosolic free [Mg(2+)] can be assessed in vivo by (31)P-MRS from the chemical shift of beta-ATP. The reliability of in vivo measurements depends on the availability of appropriate in vitro calibration curves obtained by using solutions that mimic the in vivo cytosolic conditions as far as possible. We build a semi-empiric equation that correlates the chemical shift of beta-ATP to free [Mg(2+)] taking into account the amount of Mg(2+) bound to all other ligands in solution. Our experiments resulted in a reliable ten-parameters equation directly usable to assess the cytosolic free [Mg(2+)] of human skeletal muscle at rest, during work and recovery. Our experiments also resulted in a new equation that allows the assessment of cytosolic pH from the chemical shift of Pi taking into account the measured free [Mg(2+)]. To perform simultaneous calculation of free [Mg(2+)] and pH in the skeletal muscle in different metabolic conditions we developed a specific software package available on Internet (http://www.unibo.it/bioclin) together with another program based on the equation previously obtained to calculate cytosolic free [Mg(2+)] in the human brain. The reliability and effectiveness of our equations and software were tested on the calf muscles of healthy volunteers at rest, during work and recovery.     

Interaction of urea and urea derivatives with cyclohexamylose in aqueous solutions at 25°C

The interaction in water of urea, monomethylurea, monoethylurea, monopropylurea, and monobutylurea with -cyclodextrin(hexacycloamylose) was studied calorimetrically at 25°C. The results show that the last three substances form inclusion complexes with -cyclodextrin. The enthalpy and the association constants relative to the inclusion process were determined. The association constant values are low, indicating weak complexing that increases with increasing length of the alkyl chain. Urea and monomethylurea, on the other hand, do not form inclusion complexes. For these systems the calorimetric data were treated in terms of excess enthalpies, and the McMillan-Mayer approach was used to get an insight into the weak, non-bonding molecular interactions occurring in these solutions.Presented at the sixth Italian meeting on Calorimetry and Thermal Analysis (AICAT) held in Naples, December 4–7, 1984.     

Excess free energies and entropies of aqueous solutions of methyl-D-pyranosides at 25°C

The excess Gibbs free energies of four -methyl-D-aldopyranosides in water were determined at 25°C from isopiestic measurements. The excess entropies were obtained by subtracting the free energy values from the enthalpy data. The results show a remarkable enthalpy-entropy compensation. The positive sign of the excess free energies is interpreted as due to the favorable solute-solvent interactions that prevent the favorable solute-solute interaction. The signs and magnitudes of the pair interaction coefficients are attributed to the release of water from the hydration cospheres during the concentration process. The excess properties seem to depend, however, on the stereochemistry of the solutes. This effect is discussed and attributed to the different specific stabilities of the hydration shells.     

Bonding Capabilities of the Biochemical Buffer TRIS toward Copper(II) Ion. Structure and Magnetic Properties of Binuclear and Tetranuclear Systems

Following X-ray crystal structure studies, the products of the reaction between Cu(II) halides and tris(hydroxymethyl)methylamine (TRIS) can be formulated as [Cu(TRISH_?1)(TRIS)]₂X₂ and [Cu(TRISH_?1)X]₄ (X ? Cl, Br). TRISH_?1 is the deprotonated ligand. Initial metal-ligand stoichiometric ratios of 1:2 and 1:1 are required to obtain the former and the latter species, respectively. Relevant crystal data for the dimeric compound with X ? Br are: monoclinic, a = 11.39(2), b = 10.049(2), c = 12.149(2) Å, β = 95.83(2)°, space group P2₁/c, Z = 2. The tetramer with X ? Cl crystallizes in teh triclinic space group P 1 with a 9.182(1), b = 9.120(2), c = 8.817(1) Å, α = 88.95(1), β = 87.01(1), γ = 84.13(1), Z = 1. In the dimer, two square planar Cu(II)-units are held together by two H-bonds of the type O? H …? O, which involve the O-atoms coordinated to the metals. The formation of an eight-membered cycle containing two metal ons ensues. The tetramer contains two dinuclear units formed by two metal centers, square planar in first approximation, which share one edge; the arrangement is significantly puckered at this vector. One of these bridging O-atoms has μ₃ character as it serves as a weak apical donor for a Cu-atom of another binuclear unit. Thus a step-like geometry of the central core is obtained. Both compounds have constant magnetic moments at least down to the liquid N₂ temperature. In this respect, they differ from other complexes of Cu(II) having comparable geometries, but temperature-dependent magnetic moments.     

The Effects of Cosolvents on the Complexation of α-Cyclodextrin with Alkylated Substances. Calorimetric Studies at 25 °C

The formation of complexes of -cyclodextrin with 1,2-alkanediols, ,-alkanediols and some cycloalkanols has been studied calorimetrically at 25 °C in water, in 7 mol kg^-1 aqueous urea and in 3 mol kg^-1 aqueous glucose. When a complex is formed, calorimetry enables the calculation of both the enthalpy and the association constant, from which the free energy and the entropy of the process can be obtained. The forces involved in the association process are discussed in the light of the signs and values of the thermodynamic parameters obtained. The effect of the variation of the aqueous medium on the hydration of the interacting substances and the consequent changes in the association parameters have been investigated. As respect to water, complexes are less stable in urea and more stable in glucose. The analysis of the data shows that this is the result of a different enthalpy-entropy balance in the two solvent media. Deaquation of the interacting substances plays a major role in determining the stability of the inclusion complexes.     

Determination of organophosphorus pesticides in honeybees after solid-phase microextraction

The solvation parameter model has been applied to the characterization of micellar electrokinetic chromatographic (MEKC) systems with mixtures of lithium dodecyl sulfate and lithium perfluorooctanesulfonate as surfactant. The variation in MEKC surfactant composition results in changes in the coefficients of the correlation equation, which in turns leads to information on solute-solvent and solute-micelle interactions. Lithium perfluorooctanesulfonate is more dipolar and hydrogen bond acidic but less polarizable and hydrogen bond basic than lithium dodecyl sulfate. Therefore mixtures of lithium dodecyl sulfate and lithium perfluorooctanesulfonate cover a very wide range of polarity and hydrogen bond properties, which in turn results in important selectivity changes for analytes with different solute properties.