Extrem aufgeweitete Tetrathiafulvalene mit Polyen-Spacern. Carotinoide Tetrathiafulvalene. Polymethin-tetracyanotetrathiafulvalen-Radikalkationen,eine neue Klasse von Violenen

Extremely Expanded Tetrathiafulvalenes with Polyene Spacers. Carotinoid Tetrathiafulvalenes. Polymethin-Tetracyanotetrathiafulvalene Radical Cations, a New Class of Violenes The synthesis of extended tetrathiafulvalenes 11 with di-, tetra-, hexa-, octa-, deca- and dodecamethine spacers is described by a PPh₃-induced Wittig-reaction-like condensation of the corresponding polyenedials 10 with 2-thio-1,3-dithiole-4,5-dicarbonitrile ( 9 ). By the same procedure, the dimethyloctamethine- and the tetramethyl-hexadecamethine-tetrathiafulvalenes 14 and 15 , respectively, were obtained. The extended tetrathiafulvalenes represent multistep vinylogous redox systems of the ‘violene type’. They can be oxidized to give the cyanine-like radical cations, e.g. 11 _sem, 14 _sem, and 15 _sem, and the dications, e.g. 11 _ox, 14 _ox, and 15 _ox; their UV/VIS/NIR spectra are reported. The crystal and molecular structure of (all-E)-2,2′-(octa-2,4,6-trien-1,8-diylidene)bis[1,3-dithiole-4,5-dicarbonitrile] ( 11e ) was determined: it is a rod-like, planar molecule; in the crystal, it forms staples along the longest molecule axis. The CV measurements confirm that the redox potentials of 11, 14 , and 15 decrease asymptotically with the increasing length of the spacer. Because of the close relationship of the extended tetrathiafulvalenes (ETTF's) to the carotinoids, they are named ‘caroviologenes’; they formally belong to the class of molecular wires.     

A dipicolinic acid tag for rigid lanthanide tagging of proteins and paramagnetic NMR spectroscopy

A new lanthanide tag was designed for site-specific labeling of proteins with paramagnetic lanthanide ions. The tag, 4-mercaptomethyl-dipicolinic acid, binds lanthanide ions with nanomolar affinity, is readily attached to proteins via a disulfide bond, and avoids the problems of diastereomer formation associated with most of the conventional lanthanide tags. The high lanthanide affinity of the tag opens the possibility to measure residual dipolar couplings in a single sample containing a mixture of paramagnetic and diamagnetic lanthanides. Using the DNA-binding domain of the E. coli arginine repressor as an example, it is demonstrated that the tag allows immobilization of the lanthanide ion in close proximity of the protein by additional coordination of the lanthanide by a carboxyl group of the protein. The close proximity of the lanthanide ion promotes accurate determinations of magnetic susceptibility anisotropy tensors. In addition, the small size of the tag makes it highly suitable for studies of intermolecular interactions.     

ω-Hydroxyalkyl-phosphonium salts as “instant-ylid” components : extremely convenient and highly cis-selective synthesis of alkenol-type pheromones

In less than 2 hours, (Z)-alkenols of 97 – 98% stereoisomeric purity may be prepared and isolated (!) if a new type of “instant-ylids” is used.     

Double pulse laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy of explosives: Initial study towards improved discrimination

Detecting trace explosive residues at standoff distances in real-time is a difficult problem. One method ideally suited for real-time standoff detection is laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). However, atmospheric oxygen and nitrogen contributes to the LIBS signal from the oxygen- and nitrogen-containing explosive compounds, complicating the discrimination of explosives from other organic materials. While bathing the sample in an inert gas will remove atmospheric oxygen and nitrogen interference, it cannot practically be applied for standoff LIBS. Alternatively, we have investigated the potential of double pulse LIBS to improve the discrimination of explosives by diminishing the contribution of atmospheric oxygen and nitrogen to the LIBS signal. These initial studies compare the close-contact (< 1 m) LIBS spectra of explosives using single pulse LIBS in argon with double pulse LIBS in atmosphere. We have demonstrated improved discrimination of an explosive and an organic interferent using double pulse LIBS to reduce the air entrained in the analytical plasma.     

Mechanism of copper underpotential deposition at Pt(<Emphasis Type="Italic">hkl</Emphasis>)-electrodes: Quantum-chemical modelling

Mechanism of copper underpotential deposition at stepped faces of platinum single crystals Pt(hkl) is studied using cyclic voltammetry, scanning probe microscopy, and quantum-chemical modelling. It is shown that the first stage of UPD is one-dimensional decoration of the (100)- or (110)-orientated steps, then copper monolayer forms at (111)-terraces. The final stage is the secondary step decoration. Quantum-chemical modelling, with the using of long-distance potentials of the Cu-Pt and Cu-Cu pair interactions, allows estimating the energy of copper adsorption at different structure elements of the substrate (steps, kinks, terraces) and revealing the succession of the adatom monolayer formation; it also provides additional information for the identifying of the nature of voltametric peaks for different stages of the copper adsorption-desorption.     

OH-radical induced degradation of hydroxybenzoic- and hydroxycinnamic acids and formation of aromatic products—A gamma radiolysis study

The OH-radical induced degradation of hydroxybenzoic acids (HBA), hydroxycinnamic acids (HCiA) and methoxylated derivatives, as well as of chlorogenic acid and rosmarinic acid was studied by gamma radiolysis in aerated aqueous solutions. Primary aromatic products resulting from an OH-radical attachment to the ring (hydroxylation), to the position occupied by the methoxyl group (replacement –OCH₃ by ?OH) as well as to the propenoic acid side chain of the cinnamic acids (benzaldehyde formations) were analysed by HPLC–UV and LC–ESI–MS. A comparison of the extent of these processes is given for 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, vanillic acid, isovanillic acid, syringic acid, cinnamic acid, 4-hydroxycinnamic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, isoferulic acid, chlorogenic acid, and rosmarinic acid. For all cinnamic acids and derivatives benzaldehydes were significant oxidation products. With the release of caffeic acid from chlorogenic acid the cleavage of a phenolic glycoside could be demonstrated. Reaction mechanisms are discussed.     

HALORHODOPSIN and PHOTOSENSORY BEHAVIOR IN Halobacterium halobium MUTANT STRAIN L-33

Halobacterium halobium , strain L-33, which is deficient in bacteriorhodopsin (BR) but synthesizes increased amounts of halorhodopsin (HR), shows behavioral responses upon changes in fluence rate with visible light or with UV light. The observations support the earlier report (Schimz et al. , 1982). that BR is not essential for photosensing in H. halobium. In the UV-range, changes in light intensity elicit the maximal response at λ= 370 nm. In the visible range, changes in light intensity show the maximal response at Δ= 565 nm and a secondary peak at Δ= 590 nm. The latter corresponds to the absorption maximum of HR (Δ_max= 588 nm). This light-energy converting retinal pigment of H. halobium thus appears to contribute to photosensory behavior.