The GROMOS software for biomolecular simulation: GROMOS05

We present the latest version of the Groningen Molecular Simulation program package, GROMOS05. It has been developed for the dynamical modelling of (bio)molecules using the methods of molecular dynamics, stochastic dynamics, and energy minimization. An overview of GROMOS05 is given, highlighting features not present in the last major release, GROMOS96. The organization of the program package is outlined and the included analysis package GROMOS++ is described. Finally, some applications illustrating the various available functionalities are presented.     

Gas phase molecular structure of bis(trifluoromethyl). mercury (CF3)2 Hg

The molecular structure of bis(trifluoromethyl)mercury has been determined by electron diffraction of gases. The best agreement between experiment and model was obtained for freely rotating CF₃ groups and the following geometric parameters (r°_α values): C-F = 1.345(3) Å, Hg-C = 2.101(5) Å and <FCF = 106.8°(0.2). The effect of CH₃/CF₃ substitution on the Hg-C bond length is discussed.     

Polymerization of 2-(chlorinated methyl)-4-methylene-1,3-dioxolanes

The polymerizations of the novel 2-(chlorinated methyl)-4-methylene-1,3-dioxolanes derived from mono-, di-, and trichloroacetaldehyde were investigated. Poly-2-trichloromethyl-4-methylene-1,3-dioxolane was of particular interest because of its high hydrolytic stability and nonflammability. The monomers could be polymerized with cationic catalysts via the methylene functions without cleavage of the dioxolane rings. This selectivity was due to the acetal-stabilizing negative substituents and to the use of Lewis acid complexes of low reactivity as catalysts. In contrast to previously reported poly-4-methylene-1,3-dioxolanes, the title polymers were high-melting colorless solids of good to excellent fire resistance.     

Diphenylarsinoderivate des Maleinsäureanhydrids und verwandte Verbindungen. Kristall- und Molekülstruktur des 2,3-Bis(diphenylstibino)maleinsäureanhydrids

The unusual properties of bis(diphenylphosphino)maleic anhydride and similar ditertiary phosphines has prompted the synthesis of analogous arsines and stibines. Bis(diphenylarsino)maleic anhydride,-maleic thioanhydride and-N-methyl maleic imide, bis(diphenylstibino)maleic anhydride (5) and-maleic thioanhydride are obtained as crystalline yellow or red compounds by the reaction of the corresponding 2,3-dichloromaleic acid derivatives with diphenyl(trimethylsilyl)arsine and-stibine resp. The uv/vis spectra and characteristic i.r. bands of selected compounds are given and compared with those of the corresponding phosphines. The strong shift of _C=C to lower wavenumbers observed in all compounds has caused the determination of crystal and molecular structure of5 by x-ray diffraction. Bond distances and angles are given. The complex formation of the new diarsine ligands has been examined by the preparation of Ni-, Cr- and Mo-carbonyl derivatives. As the first organylsulfane substituted maleic acid derivatives bis(phenylthio)maleic thioanhydride,-N-methyl-maleic imide and-maleic acid dimethylester are synthesized and described.

     

Die konformationsenergie des ferroc̄enylrestes

From equilibration experiments with ferrocenyl cyclohexanes substituted at position 4, an average conformational free enthalpy of 2.9±0.1 kcal/mole was established for the ferrocenyl group. The spatial requirement of ferrocenyl at the equilibrium equatorial ? axial is approximately equivalent to that of the phenyl residue (3.0±0.1 kcal/mole).     

The two diastereomers of [3] (2,5) (7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethano) - [3] (2,5-dimethoxyparacyclophane)

As the first set of stereomeric donor-acceptor cyclophanes with TCNQ as an acceptor, $\text{1}$ and $\text{2}$ were synthesized; their charge-transfer absorptions differ strongly as a consequence of the different donor-acceptor orientation.     

Bis(tetraphenylcyclobutadien)palladium(0)

Tetraphenylcyclobutadienepalladium dichloride reacts with 1,2,3,4-tetraphenyl-1,4-dilithiumbutadiene or with sodium with abstraction of halide to give the sandwich compound bis(tetraphenylcyclobutadiene)palladium(0). The structure of the latter is elucidated by spectroscopic methods and its reactions with Br₂, H₂, K and HNO₃ are described.     

New types of self-organizing interfacial alginate membranes

In this publication we describe a new self-association process, which leads to the formation of ultra-thin alginate layers at the interface between oil and water. The water phase contains a highly dilute solution of sodium alginate. These macromolecules are negatively charged and they are not surface active. The oil phase contains a small concentration of positively charged surfactants. At the interface between oil and water, the cationic surfactants tend to form complexes with the negatively charged alginate polyelectrolytes in the aqueous solutions. This leads to striking adsorption processes of the solved polysaccharide molecules at the oil-water interface. Upon the addition of calcium ions, a cross-linking process sets in and one obtains the thin viscoelastic membranes, which are anchored at the interface between oil and water. The thickness of these membranes is of the order of 0.2 mm. Similar structures can also be formed by solving positively charged Gemini surfactants in the oil phase. In this case, the cationic surfactant molecules induce the adsorption processes of alginate macromolecules, and they also act as cross-linking compounds. In a series of experiments, we measured the surface rheological properties of these ultra-thin alginate membranes. The results of these investigations point to the presence of electrostatically stabilized membranes. Special interest was given to the influence of the guluronate content of the alginates, which is important for the cross-linking mechanism according to the egg-box model. Finally, this article finishes with the discussion of the proposed building mechanisms of these membranes.