Atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation reversed-phase liquid chromatography/ion trap mass spectrometry of intact bacteriohopanepolyols

Atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation liquid chromatography/multi-stage ion trap mass spectrometry (APCI-LC/MS(n)) has been applied to the study of intact bacteriohopanepolyols. Spectral characterisation of bacteriohopanepolyols of known structure present in bacterial extracts (Zymomonas mobilis and a fermenter containing methanotrophs including Methylococcus capsulatus) has revealed greater structural detail than previous liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) methods and identified characteristic fragmentations indicative of numerous biohopanoid structures. Analysis of a Recent sedimentary extract from Lake Druzhby (Antarctica) has demonstrated the power of this technique to detect biohopanoids in complex samples including at least partial characterisation of previously unknown composite structures.     

Novel binding interactions of the DNA fragment d(pGpG) cross-linked by the antitumor active compound tetrakis(mu-carboxylato)dirhodium(II,II)

Insight into the N7/O6 equatorial binding interactions of the antitumor active complex Rh(2)(OAc)(4)(H(2)O)(2) (OAc(-) = CH(3)CO(2)(-)) with the nucleotide 5'-GMP and the DNA fragment d(pGpG) has been obtained by one- (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) NMR spectroscopy. The lack of N7 protonation at low pH values and the significant increase in the acidity of N1-H (pK(a) approximately 5.6 as compared to 8.5 for N7 only bound platinum adducts), indicated by the pH dependence study of the H8 (1)H NMR resonance for the HT (head-to-tail) isomer of Rh(2)(OAc)(2)(5'-GMP)(2), are consistent with bidentate N7/O6 binding of the guanine. The H8 (1)H NMR resonance of the HH (head-to-head) Rh(2)(OAc)(2)(5'-GMP)(2) isomer, as well as the 5'-G and 3'-G H8 resonances of the Rh(2)(OAc)(2) [d(pGpG)] adduct exhibit pH-independent titration curves, attributable to the added effect of the 5'-phosphate group deprotonation at a pH value similar to that of the N1 site. The enhancement in the acidity of N1-H, with respect to N7 only bound metal adducts, afforded by the O6 binding of the bases to the rhodium centers, has been corroborated by monitoring the pH dependence of the purine C6 and C2 (13)C NMR resonances for Rh(2)(OAc)(2)(5'-GMP)(2) and Rh(2)(OAc)(2) [d(pGpG)]. The latter studies resulted in pK(a) values in good agreement with those derived from the pH-dependent (1)H NMR titrations of the H8 resonances. Comparison of the (13)C NMR resonances of C6 and C2 for the dirhodium adducts Rh(2)(OAc)(2)(5'-GMP)(2) and Rh(2)(OAc)(2) [d(pGpG)] with the corresponding resonances of the unbound ligands at pH 8.0, showed substantial downfield shifts of Deltadelta approximately 11.0 and 6.0 ppm, respectively. The HH arrangement of the bases in the Rh(2)(OAc)(2) [d(pGpG)] adduct is evidenced by intense H8/H8 ROE cross-peaks in the 2D ROESY NMR spectrum. The presence of the terminal 5'-phosphate group in d(pGpG) results in stabilization of one left-handed Rh(2)(OAc)(2) [d(pGpG)] HH1 L conformer, due to the steric effect of the 5'-group, favoring left canting in cisplatin-DNA adducts. Complete characterization of the Rh(2)(OAc)(2[d(pGpG)] adduct revealed notable structural features that resemble those of cis-[Pt(NH(3))(2) [d(pGpG)]]; the latter involve repuckering of the 5'-G sugar ring to C3'-endo (N-type) conformation, retention of C2'-endo (S-type) 3'-G sugar ring conformation, and anti orientation with respect to the glycosyl bonds. The superposition of the low energy Rh(2)(OAc)(2) [d(pGpG)] conformers, generated by simulated annealing calculations, with the crystal structure of cis-[Pt(NH(3))(2) [d(pGpG)]], reveals remarkable similarities between the adducts; not only are the bases almost completely destacked upon coordination to the metal in both cases, but they are favorably poised to accommodate the bidentate N7/O6 binding to the dirhodium unit. Unexpectedly, the two metal-metal bonded rhodium centers are capable of engaging in cis binding to GG intrastrand sites by establishing N7/O6 bridges that span the Rh-Rh bond.     

Construction de complexes tétranucléaires de ruthénium à ossature planaire par condensation de deux unités diruthénium à l'aide de ligands pontants: Synthèse et structure moléculaire de [Ru4(CO)8{μ2-P(Cy)2}4] et de [Ru4(CO)8{μ4-P(Cy)}2{μ2-P(Cy)2}2] (Cy = cyclohexyl)

Assembly of Tetranuclear Ruthenium Complexes with Planar Metal Core by Condensation of Two Diruthenium Units Using Bridging Ligands: Synthesis and Molecular Structure of [Ru₄(CO)₈{μ₂-P(Cy)₂}₄] and [Ru₄(CO)₈{μ₄-P(Cy)}₂{μ₂}₂](Cy = Cyclohexyl) The dinuclear complexes [Ru₂(CO)₆{μ-P(Cy)₂}₂] ( 1 ) or [Ru₂(CO)₄{μ-(HCO₂)}₂{P(Cy)₂H}₂] ( 2 ) react in THF solution at 160° to give the tetranuclear complexes [Ru₄(CO)₈{μ₂-P(Cy)₂}₄] ( 3 ) and [Ru₄(CO)₈{μ₄-P(Cy)}₂{μ₂-P(Cy)₂}₂] ( 4 ), as well as the trinuclear complex [Ru₃(CO)₇(μ₂-H){μ₂-P(Cy)₂}₃] ( 5 ). If the reaction is performed at 200°, the bicapped tetranuclear species 4 is obtained in a higher yield, whereas 3 and 5 are formed in trace amounts only. The phenyl derivatives [Ru₂(CO)₆{μ-P(Ph)₂}₂] ( 6 ) or [Ru₂(CO)₄{μ-(EtCO₂)}₂{P(Ph)₂H}₂] ( 7 ) react in a similar manner to give only the complex [Ru₄(CO)₈{μ₄-P(Ph)}₂{μ₂-P(Ph)₂}₂] ( 8 ), analogous to 4 . The molecular structure of 3 consists of a planar framework of four Ru-atoms, each Ru—Ru bond being bridged by a μ₂-dicyclohexylphosphino ligand. The complex 4 represents a planar rectangular Ru core, both faces being capped by μ₄-cyclohexylphosphinidene ligands and two opposite edges being bridged by μ₂-dicyclohexylphosphino ligands.     

Direct detection and quantitation of He@C60 by ultrahigh-resolution Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry

In this paper, we report negative ion microelectrospray Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectrometry of C60 samples containing approximately 1% 3He@C60 or 4He@C60. Resolving He@C60- and 4He@C60- from C60 containing 3 or 4 13C instead of 12C atoms is technically challenging, because the target species are present in low relative abundance and are very close in mass. Nevertheless, we achieve baseline resolution of 3He@C60- from 13C3(12C57-) and 4He@C60- from 13C4(12C56-) in single-scan mass spectra obtained in broadband mode without preisolation of the ions of interest. The results constitute the first direct mass spectrometric observation of endohedral helium in a fullerene sample at this (low) level of incorporation. The results also demonstrate the feasibility of determining the extent of He incorporation from the FT-ICR mass spectral peak heights. The present measurements are in agreement with those obtained by the pyrolysis method [1-3]. Although limited in sensitivity, the mass spectral method is faster and easier than pyrolysis.     

Catalytic asymmetric synthesis of allylic thiol derivatives

The palladium(II) complex [(Rp,S)-COP-Cl]2 and its enantiomer catalyze the rearrangement of linear prochiral O-allyl carbamothioates under mild conditions to provide branched S-allyl carbamothioates in high yield and high enantiomeric purity.     

Light-induced metastable states in oxalatenitrosylruthenium(II) and terpyridinenitrosylruthenium(II) complexes

Two extremely long lived metastable states (SI and SII) can be accessed by irradiation with light in the blue-green spectral range at temperatures below 200 K in Cs(2)[Ru(ox)(NO)Cl(3)], [Ni(cyclam)][Ru(ox)(NO)Cl(3)].3H(2)O, and [Ru(terpy)(NO)(OH)Cl][PF(6)]. The crystal structures of the ground states of the oxalate-containing compounds are presented, and the influence of the atomic distances of the cations/anions is discussed with respect to the decay temperatures. The radiationless thermal decay of the metastable states is detected by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) for the three compounds. Both metastable states decay exponentially in time under isothermal conditions. The excited states are energetically separated from the ground state by potential barriers given by the activation energy of the Arrhenius law. In [Ni(cyclam)][Ru(ox)(NO)Cl(3)].3H(2)O the enthalpy maximum of the thermal decay of SII appears at 182 K, which is a relatively high decay temperature for SII. The reason for this strong temperature shift compared to those of the other compounds could be due to the polarization effect of Ni(2+) on the electron density at the Ru site via the Cl atom.     

Inulinase production by Kluyveromyces marxianus NRRL Y-7571 using solid state fermentation

Inulinase is an enzyme relevant to fructose production by enzymatic hydrolysis of inulin. This enzyme is also applied in the production of fructo-oligosaccharides that may be used as a new food functional ingredient. Commercial inulinase is currently obtained using inulin as substrate, which is a relatively expensive raw material. In Brazil, the production of this enzyme using residues of sugarcane and corn industry (sugarcane bagasse, molasses, and corn steep liquor) is economically attractive, owing to the high amount and low cost of such residues. In this context, the aim of this work was the assessment of inulinase production by solid state fermentation using by Kluyveromyces marxianus NRRL Y-7571. The solid medium consisted of sugar cane bagasse supplemented with molasses and corn steep liquor. The production of inulinase was carried out using experimental design technique. The effect of temperature, moisture, and supplements content were investigated. The enzymatic activity reached a maximum of 445 units of inulinase per gram of dry substrate.     

Cooperative binding at lipid bilayer membrane surfaces

The binding of copper(II) ions to membrane-bound synthetic receptors has been investigated. Complexation fitted a 4:1 receptor:copper(II) model, and the observed binding constants are significantly enhanced at the membrane relative to solution; these effects can be explained by the lower polarity of the membrane-water interface and the concentrating effect of the membrane, with no observed contribution from receptor preorganization. The stoichiometry of the complex formed is very sensitive to the concentration of the receptor in the membrane, and at low concentrations, binding is reduced relative to solution controls. This implies that by increasing or decreasing the number of receptors in their membranes, cells can finely tune biological responses such as chemotaxis that depend on the size of the receptor-ligand clusters formed.