Ultrafast proton-coupled electron-transfer dynamics in pyrene-modified pyrimidine nucleosides: model studies towards an understanding of reductive electron transport in DNA.

5-(Pyren-1-yl)-2'-deoxyuridine (PydU) and 5-(Pyren-1-yl)-2'-deoxycytidine (PydC) were used as model nucleosides for DNA-mediated reductive electron transport (ET) in steady-state fluorescence and femtosecond time-resolved transient absorption spectroscopy studies. Excitation of the pyrene moiety in PydU and PydC leads to an intramolecular electron transfer that yields the pyrenyl radical cation and the corresponding pyrimidine radical anion (dU.- and dC.-. By comparing the excited state dynamics of PydC and PydU, we derived information about the energy difference between the two pyrimidine radical anion states. To determine the influence of protonation on the rates of photoinduced intramolecular ET, the spectroscopic investigations were performed in acetonitrile, MeCN, and in water at different pH values. The results show a significant difference in the basicity of the generated pyrimidine radical anions and imply an involvement of proton transfer during electron hopping in DNA. Our studies revealed that the radical anion dC.- is being protonated even in basic aqueous solution on a picosecond time scale (or faster). These results suggest that protonation of dC.- may also occur in DNA. In contrast, efficient ET in PydU could only be observed at low pH values (< 5). In conclusion, we propose--based on the free energy differences and the different basicities--that only dT.- but not dC.- can participate as an intermediate charge carrier for excess electron migration in DNA.     

Separation of (Z)- and (E)-isomers of thioxanthene and dibenz[b,e]oxepin derivatives with calixarenes and resorcinarenes as additives in nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis

Five acidic calix[4]arenes with carboxylic or sulfonic groups at either the upper or lower rim of the cavity and one resorc[4]arene were investigated to separate three thioxanthenes (flupentixol, clopenthixol, chlorprothixene) and a dibenz[b,e]oxepin derivative (doxepin) with cis-/trans-isomerism by nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis (NACE). Partial filling of the capillary with the UV-absorbing selectors led to a low detection limit and an advantageous signal-to-noise ratio (S/N). A sufficient electrophoretic mobility of the calixarenes towards the anode was necessary to outweigh the oppositely directed electroosmotic flow (EOF). This depended from the functional groups, the dissociation and the hydrodynamic radius of the cyclophanes. In contrast, the resorcinarene was useable only by addition of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) because only the complex of the two selectors had an anodic apparent electrophoretic mobility. p-Sulfonyl-calix[4]arene (ss-a1) was the most capable selector for all E/Z-isomers with maximal alpha-values ranging from 1.056 for doxepin to 1.224 for chlorprothixene. This was due to the sufficient migration in reversed direction to the EOF even at low pH* values of 3.0. Otherwise, electrostatic as well as hydrophobic interactions with the positively charged isomers seem to contribute to a superior recognition. Increasing the concentration up to 15 mM ss-a1 and using acidic media (pH* 5.0) led to high separation efficiency. Changing the organic solvent provides a powerful tool to improve selectivity with N,N-dimethylformamide-methanol (DMF-MeOH)-mixtures for thioxanthenes. Further electrophoretic parameters were optimized, such as the concentration of the electrolytes, the addition of SDS, the kind of electrolytes and the voltage. Distinct differences in selectivities were found between the derivatives with thioxanthene and dibenzo[b,e]oxepin ring system, respectively. Further, the different basic side chain was responsible for the different selectivity at higher pH* values. In contrast, the substitution at position 2 of the thioxanthenes played a secondary role. Based on the studies of single parameters a method for a simultaneous separation of the four pairs of isomers within 13 min was developed.     

The structure of defect Ru4Si3

The nature of the defect structure of Ru₄Si₃ has been studied with electron diffraction and electron microscopy methods. Lattice image pictures, interpreted with histogram analysis, reveal that planar defects of chemical twinning type are common in the crystals.     

The Molybdenum Stannide MoSn2

The title compound was prepared by annealing molybdenum powder with an excess of tin. Single-crystals were obtained by dissolving the tin-rich matrix in hydrochloric acid. They are Pauli paramagnetic. The crystal structure was determined from single-crystal X-ray diffractometer data: P6₂22, a = 548.8(1) pm, c = 1417.1(2) pm, Z = 6, R = 0.036 for 18 variable parameters and 389 structure factors. MoSn₂ is only the second representative of the hexagonal Mg₂Ni-type structure. The relation of the structure to the CuAl₂-type is discussed.     

N-methylpiperazinocarbonyl-2',3'-BcNA and 4'-C-(N-methylpiperazino)methyl-DNA: introduction of basic functionalities facing the major groove and the minor groove of a DNA:DNA duplex

Piperazino-functionalized 2',3'-BcNA and 4'-C-hydroxymethyl-DNA are appropriate molecular architectures for the introduction of basic functionalities facing the major groove and the minor groove of nucleic acid duplexes, respectively. 4'-C-(N-Methylpiperazino)methyl-DNA monomers induce significantly increased thermal stability of a DNA:DNA duplex.     

A Preparatively Simple Access to Homochiral Heterocyclic α-Hydroxy Acids and their Derivatives

 The synthesis of homochiral heterocyclic α-hydroxy acids starting from (S)- and (R)-malic acid using hexafluoroacetone as protecting and activating agent is described. The new compounds are useful building blocks for peptide and depsipeptide modification.     

Thermodynamics of complex formation in dimethyl sulfoxide with ligands coordinating via N,P, As,Sb, OR Bi : III. A comparison between aromatic and aliphatic amines and phosphines

The stabilities of the complexes formed by silver(I), cadmium(II) and zinc(II) with tri-n-butylamine and tri-n-butylphosphine have been determined in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). For the two latter metal ions, it has also been found that complexes are not formed in appreciable amounts with the triphenyl compounds Ph₃X, X = N, P and, in the case of cadmium(II), also As.From these and earlier measurements referring to DMSO as well as aqueous solutions, it was found that the stepwise stability constants increase by roughly one power of ten for each aromatic ring replaced by an aliphatic group, evidently as a consequence of the improved donor properties of the coordinating atoms. Further, for ligands of the same type, the stabilities are always markedly lower in DMSO than in aqueous solution. This is certainly due to the fact that the solvent molecules compete more strongly for the coordination sites in DMSO than in water, as reflected by the larger heats of solvation found in the former solvent for the metal ions concerned.     

Cyclodextrins as chiral stationary phases in capillary gas chromatography. Part VII: Cyclodextrins with an inverse substitution pattern – synthesis and enantioselectivity

Transferring the site of specific substitution of dipentylated cyclodextrins with methyl or acyl residues from the secondary 3-hydroxyl group to the primary 6-hydroxyl group was expected to provide new information on the mechanism of chiral recognition. The 3-position points towards and the 6-position points away from the cyclodextrin cavity which via inclusion complex formation is supposed to play a major role in chiral separation. The “inverse” 6-O-acyl-2,3-di-O-pentyl-cyclodextrins displayed almost no enantioselectivity but the corresponding 6-O-methyl derivatives are a versatile supplement to the chiral capillary GC phases nowadays available. Among the compounds that could be enantiomerically resolved are alcohols, amino acids, alkyl halides, bicyclic ethers, acetals, olefins, other hydrocarbons and chiral pharmaceuticals.     

Microdevices for manipulation and accumulation of micro- and nanoparticles by dielectrophoresis

Microfluidic devices with three-dimensional (3-D) arrays of microelectrodes embedded in microchannels have been developed to study dielectrophoretic forces acting on synthetic micro- and nanoparticles. In particular, so-called deflector structures were used to separate particles according to their size and to enable accumulation of a fraction of interest into a small sample volume for further analysis. Particle velocity within the microchannels was measured by video microscopy and the hydrodynamic friction forces exerted on deflected particles were determined according to Stokes law. These results lead to an absolute measure of the dielectrophoretic forces and allowed for a quantitative test of the underlying theory. In summary, the influence of channel height, particle size, buffer composition, electric field, strength and frequency on the dielectrophoretic force and the effectiveness of dielectrophoretic deflection structures were determined. For this purpose, microfluidic devices have been developed comprising pairs of electrodes extending into fluid channels on both top and bottom side of the microfluidic channels. Electrodes were aligned under angles varying from 0 to 75 degrees with respect to the direction of flow. Devices with channel height varying between 5 and 50 microm were manufactured. Fabrication involved a dedicated bonding technology using a mask aligner and UV-curing adhesive. Particles with radius ranging from 250 nm to 12 microm were injected into the channels using aqueous buffer solutions.     

Cathodoluminescence Depth Profiling in SiO2:Ge Layers

 For investigation of the luminescent center profile cathodoluminescence measurements are used under variation of the primary electron energy E ₀ = 2…30 keV. Applying a constant incident power regime (E ₀·I ₀ = const), the depth profiles of luminescent centers are deduced from the range of the electron energy transfer profiles dE/dx. Thermally grown SiO₂ layers of thickness d = 500 nm have been implanted by Ge⁺-ions of energy 350 keV and doses (0.5–5)10¹⁶ ions/cm². Thus Ge profiles with a concentration maximum of (0.4 – 4) at% at the depth of d_m≅240 nm are expected. Afterwards the layers have been partially annealed up to T _a = 1100 °C for one hour in dry nitrogen. After thermal annealing, not only the typical violet luminescence (λ = 400 nm) of the Ge centers is strongly increased but also the luminescent center profiles are shifted from about 250 nm to 170 nm depth towards the surface. This process should be described by Ge diffusion processes, precipitation and finally Ge nanocluster formation. Additionally, a Ge surface layer is piled-up extending to a depth of roughly 25 nm.