Toward understanding the ionization of biomarkers from micrometer particles by bio-aerosol mass spectrometry

The appearance of informative signals in the mass spectra of laser-ablated bio-aerosol particles depends on the effective ionization probabilities (EIP) of individual components during the laser ionization process. This study investigates how bio-aerosol chemical composition governs the EIP values of specific components and the overall features of the spectra from the bio-aerosol mass spectrometry (BAMS). EIP values were determined for a series of amino acid, dipicolinic acid, and peptide aerosol particles to determine what chemical features aid in ionization. The spectra of individual amino acids and dipicolinic acid, as well as mixtures, were examined for extent of fragmentation and the presence of molecular ion dimers, which are indicative of ionization conditions. Standard mixtures yielded information with respect to the significance of secondary ion plume reactions on observed spectra. A greater understanding of how these parameters affect EIP and spectra characteristics of bio-aerosols will aid in the intelligent selection of viable future biomarkers for the identification of bio-terrorism agents.     

Supplementary d and f functions in molecular wave functions: Optimum and nonoptimum exponents

Energy optimization calculations have been carried out to determine the variability of optimum p, d, and f polarization function exponents in molecules containing first- and second-row elements and in normal valency and hypercoordinate species. Optimum exponents were determined for single sets of higher-order functions at both Hartree–Fock and correlated (Moller–Plesset) levels of theory using the Dunning–Hay double zeta and the McLean–Chandler triple zeta basis sets. More detailed calculations were used to test the response to nonoptimum d and f function exponents of the total energy, the optimum geometry, and harmonic stretching frequencies. The variability in optimum exponents and the size of the energy penalties incurred by adopting nonoptimum values reduces the utility of standard exponents for p, d, and f polarization functions. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Evidence for a monomeric structure of nonribosomal Peptide synthetases

Nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPS) are multimodular biocatalysts that bacteria and fungi use to assemble many complex peptides with broad biological activities. The same modular enzymatic assembly line principles are found in fatty acid synthases (FAS), polyketide synthases (PKS), and most recently in hybrid NRPS/PKS multienzymes. FAS as well as PKS are known to function as homodimeric enzyme complexes, raising the question of whether NRPS may also act as homodimers. To test this hypothesis, biophysical methods (size exclusion chromatography, analytical equilibrium ultracentrifugation, and chemical crosslinking) and biochemical methods (two-affinity-tag-system and complementation studies with enzymes being inactivated in different catalytic domains) were applied to NRPS subunits from the gramicidin S (GrsA-ATE), tyrocidine (TycB(1)-CAT and TycB(2-3)-AT.CATE), and enterobactin (EntF-CATTe) biosynthetic systems. These methods had revealed the dimeric structure of FAS and PKS previously, but all three NRPS systems investigated are functionally active as monomers.     

Factors influencing proton positions in biomolecules

Results of quantum mechanical calculations are presented that suggest a number of mechanisms whereby protons may be shifted from one group to another along an H bond. The first factor to be considered is a stretching of the bond that drastically raises the energy barrier to transfer. It is possible to predict barriers for an arbitrary system based only on results for a simple system and knowledge of the relevant bond length in the isolated subsystems. Factors that increase the intrinsic basicity of the B group in A-H-B lead not only to a lowering of the energy of the A-HB state relative to AH-B but also to a reduction in the barrier to transfer of the proton from A to B. Ions in the vicinity of the H bond exert a powerful influence and can shift the proton to the less basic group across a gradient of several pK units. Rather than shielding the proton from the external ion, the H bond acts instead to amplify the effects of the electric field. Reorientation of the A and B groups relative to one another, i.e., bends of the H bond, also produce surprisingly large changes in the relative energies of the AH-B and A-HB states. Such bends are capable of pushing the proton across to the normally less basic group, providing a mechanism of coupling conformational changes to proton ‘pumping’ activity. It is found that the high and low pH states of a given H bond can have dramatically differnt relative populations of the AH-B and A-HB configurations. These observations are explained in terms of fundamental concepts involving electrostatic interaction energies.     

Reactions of 6-diazopenicillanates with allylic sulphides,selenides, and bromides

6-Diazopenicillanates react with allylic sulphides, selenides and bromides, to give 6,6-disubstituted penicillanates $\text{via}$ [2,3]-sigmatropic rearrangements.     

Electroactive ligands: the first metal complexes of tetrathiafulvenyl-acetylacetonate

The reaction of tris(alkylthio)tetrathiafulvalene thiolates with 3-chloro-2,4-pentanedione affords tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) moieties substituted by the acetylacetone function (TTFSacacH), precursors of novel redox-active ligands: the acetylacetonate ions (TTFSacac). These TTFSacacHs have been characterized by X-ray diffraction analyses, and similar trends have been observed, such as a TTF core almost planar and the acetylacetone substituent located in a plane almost perpendicular to the plane formed by the TTF core. Their chelating ability has been demonstrated by the formation of the corresponding M(TTFSacac)2(pyridine)2 complexes in the presence of M(II)(OAc)2.H2O (M = Ni2+, Zn2+). These complexes with TTFSacac moieties, Ni(TTFSacac)2(pyridine)2, 6b, and Zn(TTFSacac)2(pyridine)2, 7b, have been characterized by X-ray diffraction analyses, showing in all structures the metal(II) center chelated by two TTFacac units in the equatorial plane and the octahedral coordination geometry around the metal completed by two axial pyridine ligands. Cyclic voltammetry and UV-visible-near infrared spectroscopic measurements have evidenced a sizable interaction between the two electroactive ligands and the stabilization of a mixed-valence state in the one-electron oxidized complexes.     

Topochemical anion metathesis routes to the Zr2N2S phases and the Na2S and ACl derivatives (A = Na,K, Rb)

Anion metathesis reactions between ZrNCl and A(2)S (A = Na, K, Rb) in the solid state follow three different pathways depending on reaction temperature and reactant stoichiometry: (1) the reaction of ZrNCl with A(2)S in the 2:1 stoichiometry at 800 degrees C/72 h/in vacuo yields alpha-Zr(2)N(2)S with the expected layered structure of La(2)O(2)S. Above 850 degrees C, alpha-Zr(2)N(2)S (P3 macro m1; a = 3.605(1) A, c = 6.421(3) A) neatly transforms to beta-Zr(2)N(2)S (P6(3)/mmc: a = 3.602(1) A, c = 12.817(1) A). The structures of the alpha- and beta-forms are related by an a/2 shift of successive Zr(2)N(2) layers. (2) The same reaction at low temperatures (300-400 degrees C) yields ACl intercalated phases of the formula A(x)Zr(2)N(2)SCl(x) (0 < x < approximately 0.15), where alkali ions are inserted between the S/Cl.S/Cl van der Waals gap of a ZrNCl-type structure. The S and Cl ions are disordered and the c lattice parameters are alkali dependent (R3 macro m, a approximately 3.6 A, c approximately 28.4 (Na), 28.9 (K), and 30.5 A (Rb). A(x)Zr(2)N(2)SCl(x) phases are hygroscopic and reversibly absorb water to give monohydrates. (3) Reaction of ZrNCl with excess A(2)S at 400-1000 degrees C gives A(2)S intercalated phases of the formula A(2)(x)Zr(2)N(2)S(1+)(x) (0 < x < 0.5), where the alkali ions reside between the S.S van der Waals gap of a ZrNCl type structure (R3 macro m, a approximately 3.64 A, c approximately 29.48 A). Structural characterization of the new phases and implications of the results are described.     

Relationship between the molybdenum phases and the conversion of n-butane over Mo/HZSM-5

The conversion of n-C₄H₁₀ was undertaken on MoO₃/HZSM-5 catalyst at 773–973 K and the phases of molybdenum species were detected by XRD. The XRD results show that bulk MoO₃ on HZSM-5 can be readily reduced by n-C₄H₁₀ to MoO₂ at 773 K and MoO₂ can be gradually carburized to molybdenum carbide above 813 K. The molybdenum carbide formed from the carburization of MoO₂ with n-C₄H₁₀ below 893 K is -MoC_1−x with fcc-structure, while hcp-molybdenum carbide formed above 933 K. During the evolution of MoO₃ to MoO₂ (>773 K) or the carburization of MoO₂ to molybdenum carbide (>813 K), deep oxidation, cracking and coke deposition are serious, in particular at higher reaction temperatures, these lead to the poor selectivity to aromatics. Aromatization of n-C₄H₁₀ can proceed catalytically on both Mo₂C/HZSM-5 and MoO₂/HZSM-5, the distribution of the products for the two catalysts is similar below 813 K, but the activity for Mo₂C/HZSM-5 is much higher than that for MoO₂/HZSM-5.