PHOTOKINETIC ASPECTS OF SPECIFIC HYDROGEN BONDING IN ALL-TRANS RETINAL AT ROOM TEMPERATURE

Room-temperature hydrogen-bonding of all- trans retinal (ATR) with 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP) in cyclohexane results in fluorescence enhancement and triplet yield quenching; these effects, as well as the associated absorption spectral changes in both ground and triplet states and the kinetics of H-bonding in the triplet state, have been studied by steady-state absorption-emission and laser flash-photolytic transient measurements. The fluorescence enhancement is predominantly controlled by the H-bonding in the ground state (static interaction) and gives a value of 440 M ^-1 for the corresponding equilibrium constant which is very similar to the value (420 M ^-1) obtained from the analysis of absorption spectral data as a function of [HFIP˜. The quantum yield of triplet occupation (ø_T) of the H-bonded complex, ATR-HFIP, in cyclohexane is non-negligible and is about one-third of ø_T of free ATR. The kinetic data of H-bonding equilibration in the triplet state, observable on a nanosecond time scale, indicate that the triplet ATR is a stronger base than the ground state as far as H-bonding with HFIP is concerned.     

Photooxidation of Methionine Derivatives by the 4-Carboxybenzophenone Triplet State in Aqueous Solution. Intracomplex Proton Transfer Involving the Amino Group

Abstract— Oxidation of the triplet state of 4-carboxybenzophenone (CB) by a series of five substituted methionines and three methionine-containing dipeptides was monitored under laser flash photolysis conditions in aqueous solution. Spectral resolution techniques were employed to follow the concentration profiles of the intermediates formed from the quenching events. From these concentration profiles, quantum yields for the intermediates were determined. Branching ratios were evaluated for the decay of the charge-transfer complex by the competing processes of back electron transfer, proton transfer and escape of radical ions. The relative prominence of these processes was discussed in terms of the proton-transfer tendencies of the nominal sulfur-radical-cationic species. A systematic decrease was observed in the quantum yields for the escape of radical ions along with a correlated increase in the proton-transfer yields. The enhanced propensity of the sulfur radical cations to depro-tonate is due to deprotonation at the carbons adjacent to the sulfur-cationic site and at the unsubstituted amino groups when present. This scheme was supported by an observed decrease in the yields of dimeric sulfur radical cations with an increase in the electron-withdrawing abilities of the substituents, making the radical-cationic species stronger acids. The involvement of protons on the amino groups was implicated by the correlation of the quantum yields of ketyl radical formation in the photochemistry experiments with the rate constants for the reaction of the CB radical anion with the sulfur-containing substrates in pulse radiolysis experiments.     

Hydrogen-deuterium exchange in bulk LiBH4

Because of its apparent simplicity, diffusion of hydrogen in solids can be regarded as a general model system for diffusion. However, only rudimentary knowledge exists for the dynamics of hydrogen in complex hydrides. Insight into the specific diffusion process is given by hydrogen-deuterium exchange experiments. Thermogravimetry and Raman spectroscopy are used to measure the hydrogen-deuterium exchange during the decomposition of LiBH4. At a temperature of 523 K the self-diffusion constant of deuterium in LiBH4 is estimated to be D approximately 7 x 10(-14) m(2) s(-1). A careful analysis of the Raman spectra shows that hydrogen is statistically exchanged by deuterium in LiBH4; i.e., the diffusing species is assumed to be the single hydrogen atom.     

Valuations on Convex Sets of Oriented Hyperplanes

We discuss valuations on convex sets of oriented hyperplanes in ^d. For d = 2, we prove an analogue of Hadwigers characterization theorem for continuous, rigid motion invariant valuations.     

Stabilization of sulfide radical cations through complexation with the peptide bond: mechanisms relevant to oxidation of proteins containing multiple methionine residues

The recent study on the *OH-induced oxidation of calmodulin, a regulatory "calcium sensor" protein containing nine methionine (Met) residues, has supported the first experimental evidence in a protein for the formation of S therefore N three-electron bonded radical complexes involving the sulfur atom of a methionine residue and the amide groups in adjacent peptide bonds. To characterize reactions of oxidized methionine residues in proteins containing multiple methionine residues in more detail, in the current study, a small model cyclic dipeptide, c-(L-Met-L-Met), was oxidized by *OH radicals generated via pulse radiolysis and the ensuing reactive intermediates were monitored by time-resolved UV-vis spectroscopic and conductometric techniques. The picture that emerges from this investigation shows there is an efficient formation of the Met (S therefore N) radicals, in spite of the close proximity of two sulfur atoms, located in the side chains of methionine residues, and in spite of the close proximity of sulfur atoms and oxygen atoms, located in the peptide bonds. Moreover, it is shown, for the first time, that the formation of Met(S therefore N) radicals can proceed directly, via H+-transfer, with the involvement of hydrogen from the peptide bond to an intermediary hydroxysulfuranyl radical. Ultimately, the Met(S therefore N) radicals decayed via two different pH-dependent reaction pathways, (i) conversion into sulfur-sulfur, intramolecular, three-electron-bonded radical cations and (ii) a proposed hydrolytic cleavage of the protonated form of the intramolecular, three-electron-bonded radicals [Met(S therefore N)/Met(S therefore NH)+] followed by electron transfer and decarboxylation. Surprisingly, also alpha-(alkylthio)alkyl radicals enter the latter mechanism in a pH-dependent manner. Density functional theory computations were performed on the model c-(L-Met-Gly) and its radicals in order to obtain optimizations and energies to aid in the interpretation of the experiments on c-(L-Met-L-Met).     

Nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of benzylic zinc reagents with aromatic bromides, chlorides and tosylates

Benzylic zinc reagents prepared by direct insertion of zinc to benzylic chlorides in the presence of LiCl undergo smooth cross-coupling reactions with aromatic chlorides, bromides and tosylates using Ni(acac)(2) and PPh(3) as a catalyst system.