Enzymatic and electrochemical oxidation of uric acid: A mechanism for the peroxidase catalyzed oxidation of uric acid

The oxidation of uric acid has been studied by thin-layer spectroelectrochemistry using an optically transparent gold minigrid electrode and enzymatically using peroxidase. Under both enzymatic and electrochemical conditions a u.v.-absorbing intermediate (λ_max=302–304 nm between pH 7–9.3) is observed. This intermediate is proposed to be an imine-alcohol species formed by rapid hydration of the primary reaction product which is a diimine. Under the conditions employed in both the enzymatic electrochemical studies the imine-alcohol intermediate is hydrated in a first order reaction with an observed rate constant of 3.5×10^?3s^?1 between pH 7–9.3. This study establishes the similarity between the electrochemical and enzymatic oxidation of uric acid and indicates that electrochemical investigations of the redox behavior of purines can provide unique insights into their biological redox properties.     

Hydroxamic acid polymers. II. Design of a polymeric chelating agent for iron

The iron chelating ability of hydroxamic acid polymers was studied as a function of the atomic chain spacing separating neighboring hydroxamic acid units. Two polymers were prepared, one having the hydroxamic acid group separated by 11 atoms and the other by three atoms. The iron binding of these polymers was compared with the model compound desferrioxamine B (DFO) and with a previously prepared polymer having a nine-atom spacing. Mole ratio plots indicated the following order of stability: DFO ≈ 11 atom > 9 atom > 3 atom. These results are in accordance with the picture derived from molecular models which shows that with a spacing of 11 atoms, three neighboring hydroxamic acids can fit the octahedral arrangement of the iron (III) complex without appreciable strain. Some strain is introduced when the spacing becomes only nine atoms, and with three atoms, complex formation between three neighboring groups becomes virtually impossible.     

Electrochemical oxidation of 9-methylxanthine

The electrochemical oxidation of 9-methylxanthine proceeds via four voltammetric oxidation peaks at the pyrolytic graphite electrode. The first voltammetric oxidation peak (peak I_a) is a 1e reaction giving a radical which dimerizes to 8,8′-bi-9-methyl-9H-purine-2,6-(1H, 3H)-dione. Peak II_a is a further 2e electrooxidation of the peak I_a dimer to another yellow dimer 8,8′-bi-9-methyl-9H-purine-2,6-(1H)-dione-3,5-(3H)-diiminylidene. This dimer is not very stable and it hydrolyzes to 1-methyl allantoin. Peak III_a is an adsorption pre-peak to peak IV_a which corresponds, overall, to a direct 4e?4H⁺ electrooxidation of 9-methylxanthine to an unstable diimine of 9-methyluric acid. Hydrolysis of this diimine leads to a variety of ultimate products.     

Photochemical Preparation of Highly Water-Soluble Pendant [60]Fullerene-Aminopolymers

Abstract— In order to introduce fullerene cages into an aqueous environment, pendant [60]fullerene-poly(propionylethyle-neimine-co-ethyleneimine) was prepared photochemical-ly. The pendant polymer is highly water soluble, with equivalent aqueous solubilities of the polymer-bound [60]fullerene much higher than the solubility of [60]ful-lerene in toluene. The photochemical reaction between [60]fullerene and secondary amine moieties in the ami-nopolymers likely follows a photoinduced electron transfer-proton transfer mechanism. The pendant polymer structures, which are represented by dehydrogenated di-and tetra-aminofullerene linkages, were characterized by use of proton and 13C NMR, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, gel-permeation chromatography and optical spectroscopic methods.     

Virus Particles Monitored by Fluorescence Spectroscopy: A Potential Detection Assay for Macromolecular Assembly¶

Native fluorescence spectroscopy was used for in situ investigations of two lipid‐containing bacteriophages from the cystovirus family as well as their Pseudomonad host cells. Both the viruses φ6 and φ12 and their bacterial host proteins contain the amino acid tryptophan (trp), which is the predominant fluorophore in UV. Within proteins, trp's structural environment differs, and the differences are reflected in their spectroscopic signatures. It was observed that the peak of the trp emission from both viruses was at 330 nm, a significantly shorter wavelength than trp in either the Pseudomonad host cells or the amino acid's chemical form. This allowed us to monitor the viral attachment process and subsequent lytic release of progeny virus particles by measurement of the trp emission spectra during the infection process. This work demonstrates that fluorescence may offer a novel tool to detect viruses and monitor viral infection of cells and may be part of a biodefense application.     

Resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization of molecular hydrogen via the E,F1Σg+ state: Photoelectron energy and angular distributions

Photoelectron energy and angular distributions are measured for the 2+1 multiphoton ionization process H₂ X¹Σ_g⁺ (ν = 0,J) + 2hv → E,F¹Σ_g⁺(ν_E,J_E = J) + hν → H₂⁺X²Σ_g⁺ (ν⁺) + e^?, for ν_E = 0, 1, or 2 and for J_E = 0 or 1 of the inner well of the double-minimum E,F state. Although a strong preference is found for ν⁺ = ν_E, the detailed H₂⁺ vibrational distribution does not exhibit Franck-Condon behavior, and the photoelectron angular distributions vary markedly with both the J_E value of the intermediate state and the ν⁺ value of the ion.     

Aldol reactions of a cyclobutanone enolate

Addition of an aldehyde and zinc chloride to a cyclobutanone enolate, prepared by the reaction of an α-chlorocyclobutanone with dimethylcopperlithium, gave an aldol adduct in good yield.     

A diatropic ring current in a fluorofullerene trannulene

Ipsocentric current-density maps for a fluorofullerene derivative, C60F15H3, modelling the addition pattern of the experimentally characterised C60F15[CBr(CO2Et)2]3 which contains an [18]trans-annulene system, reveal a diamagnetic ring current dominated by the contribution of the four HOMO electrons, as in a classical (4n + 2) aromatic annulene.     

Practical and efficient applications of novel dioxaborolanes and dioxaborinanes in the synthesis of corresponding boronates and their use in the palladium-catalyzed cross coupling reactions

The syntheses of boronates derived from the reaction of dioxaborolanes and dioxaborinanes with either organolithium or organomagnesium reagents are investigated along with their subsequent use in the palladium cross coupling reaction. The intrinsic stability of these cyclic esters contributes to their facile reaction with both lithium and magnesium nucleophiles at mild and safe conditions. We have found that many of the reactions proceed at room temperature which is a significant improvement over the traditional routes which require cryogenic temperatures. The scope of these reactions and their practical application to large scale process synthesis is described.