Mass spectrometric methods prove the use of beeswax and ruminant fat in late Roman cooking pots

Lipid extracts of sherds of archaeological late Roman cooking pots were analysed using high temperature-gas chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometer and liquid chromatography with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometer detection (LC-APCI-MS). With these advanced techniques the use of beeswax was shown through identification of the constituting alkanes, mono and diesters. The detection of high amounts of saturated triacylglycerols (TAGs) further indicated that animal fat was processed in these pots. Part of the animal fat was characterised as originating from ruminants due to the presence of trans-fatty acids. The distribution of saturated TAGs and the higher concentration of stearic acid compared to palmitic acid in the transesterified lipid extract indicated that this was sheep fat. The results illustrate how complex mixtures can be unravelled and original contents of ancient ceramic vessels can be determined using specialised analytical equipment.     

Construction of metal-organic frameworks: versatile behaviour of a ligand containing mono- and bidentate coordination sites

Five new coordination polymers based on a new 2,2'-bipyridine derived ligand N,N'-bis(pyridin-4-yl)-2,2'-bipyridine-5,5'-dicarboxamide (=L) are reported herein. Isostructural three-dimensional coordination polymers with a rare (4,6)-connected network of {4(4).6(2)}(3){4(6).8(9)}(2) topology were synthesised from Cu(NO(3))(2), Zn(NO(3))(2) or a mixture of Cu(NO(3))(2)/Fe(BF(4))(2) with L in complexes {[Cu(5)L(6)]·(NO(3))(10)·(H(2)O)(18)}(∞) (1), {[Zn(5)L(6)]·(NO(3))(10)·(H(2)O)(18)}(∞) (2) and {[Fe(x)Cu(y)L(6)]·(NO(3))(10)·(H(2)O)(18)}(∞) (3; where x+y=5). Complexes with two-dimensional grid structures resulted from treatment with CoCl(2) or Cd(NO(3))(2) with L in complexes {[CoLCl(2)]·DMF}(∞) (4) and {CdL(NO(3))(2)}(∞) (5).     

Mapping of possible prion protein self-interaction domains using peptide arrays

Background  

The common event in transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) or prion diseases is the conversion of host-encoded protease sensitive cellular prion protein (PrP^C) into strain dependent isoforms of scrapie associated protease resistant isoform (PrP^Sc) of prion protein (PrP). These processes are determined by similarities as well as strain dependent variations in the PrP structure. Selective self-interaction between PrP molecules is the most probable basis for initiation of these processes, potentially influenced by chaperone molecules, however the mechanisms behind these processes are far from understood. We previously determined that polymorphisms do not affect initial PrP^C to PrP^Sc binding but rather modulate a subsequent step in the conversion process. Determining possible sites of self-interaction could elucidate which amino acid(s) or amino acid sequences contribute to binding and further conversion into other isoforms. To this end, ovine – and bovine PrP peptide-arrays consisting of 15-mer overlapping peptides were probed with recombinant sheep PrP^C fused to maltose binding protein (MBP-PrP).     

Kinetic and spectroscopic study of 1O2 generation from H2O2 catalyzed by LDH-MoO4(2-) (LDH=layered double hydroxide)

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs), exchanged with molybdate, decompose H2O2 to form one molecule of singlet-state dioxygen (1O2) from two molecules of H2O2. The dependence of the kinetics of H2O2 decomposition on Mo and H2O2 concentrations and on temperature has been related to structural characteristics of the material (X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), IR spectroscopy, N2 adsorption, thermogravimetry) and to molybdate speciation as revealed by in-situ studies in the presence of peroxide (FT Raman, diffuse reflectance UV/visible spectroscopy). The H2O2 decomposition rate is linearly correlated with the amount of LDH-exchanged molybdate, except when a considerable fraction of the molybdate occupies less accessible interlayer positions. A maximum in the H2O2 decomposition rate as the H2O2 concentration is increased is due to the successive formation of mono-, di-, tri-, and tetraperoxomolybdates. This behavior was modeled successfully by using the equilibrium constants for formation of the Mo-peroxo complexes, and the rate constants for decay of the peroxomolybdates with 1O2 liberation. Time-resolved diffuse reflectance and Raman observations of the various MoO4(2-)-peroxide adducts are in line with the proposed kinetic scheme. Of all the Mo-peroxo species on the LDH, the triperoxomolybdate has the highest rate for decay to 1O2. Comparison with the kinetics of dissolved molybdate shows that the monomolecular decay of all peroxomolybdate species proceeds much faster at the LDH surface than in solution. Consequently, maximal rates per Mo atom are at least twice as high for the heterogeneous LDH catalyst as for the homogeneous systems.     

Rb2I(OH): Ein Hydroxidiodid im System RbOH/RbI

Rb₂I(OH): A Hydroxide Iodide in the System RbOH/RbI The pseudobinary system RbOH/RbI was investigated by X-ray methods. The crystal structure of Rb₂I(OH) was solved by single crystal data: Rb₂I(OH): Pnma, Z = 4, a = 7.748(1) Å, b = 5.654(2) Å,c = 13.254(2) Å Z(F_o) with (F_o)² ? 3σ = (F_o)² = 449, Z (parameter) = 25, R/R_w = 0.021/0.023 Rb₂I(OH) crystallizes in a new type of structure, built up by a three dimensional network of [Rb₂(OH)⁺] containing the iodide ions.     

The solid state and solution chemistry of dichlorobis(pyridine)cobalt(II)

The thermal decomposition of dichlorobisquinolinecobalt(II) was investigated. Kinetic analyses were performed on the dynamic and isothermal curves. The dynamic and d.s.c. studies revealed two simultaneously reactions while the isothermal reactions represented single processes. The scheme of thermal decomposition is:

New and highly efficient synthesis of 3-substituted 1-hydroxybenz[g]isoquinoline-5,10-diones

A new and efficient strategy for the synthesis of 3-substituted 1-hydroxybenz[g]isoquinoline-5,10-diones by reaction of 2-methoxycarbonyl-1,4-naphthoquinone with different pyridinium salts under Kröhnke conditions is disclosed. This one-step reaction was found to be dependent on the substitution pattern of the aromatic nucleus in the pyridinium salts.     

Phase-field modeling of void evolution and swelling in materials under irradiation

Void swelling is an important phenomenon observed in both nuclear fuels and cladding materials in operating nuclear reactors. In this work we develop a phase-field model to simulate void evolution and void volume change in irradiated materials. Important material processes, including the generation of defects such as vacancies and self-interstitials, their diffusion and annihilation, and void nucleation and evolution, have been taken into account in this model. The thermodynamic and kinetic properties, such...     

One Way Traffic: Base-to-Backbone Hole Transfer in Nucleoside Phosphorodithioate

The directionality of the hole-transfer processes between DNA backbone and base was investigated by using phosphorodithioate [P(S⁻)=S] components. ESR spectroscopy in homogeneous frozen aqueous solutions and pulse radiolysis in aqueous solution at ambient temperature confirmed initial formation of G^.+-P(S⁻)=S. The ionization potential of G-P(S⁻)=S was calculated to be slightly lower than that of guanine in 5′-dGMP. Subsequent thermally activated hole transfer from G^.+ to P(S⁻)=S led to dithiyl radical (P-2S^.) formation on the μs timescale. In parallel, ESR spectroscopy, pulse radiolysis, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations confirmed P-2S^. formation in an abasic phosphorodithioate model compound. ESR investigations at low temperatures and higher G-P(S⁻)=S concentrations showed a bimolecular conversion of P-2S^. to the σ²-σ*¹-bonded dimer anion radical [-P-2S 2S-P-]⁻ [ΔG (150 K, DFT)=−7.2 kcal mol⁻¹]. However, [-P-2S 2S-P-]⁻ formation was not observed by pulse radiolysis [ΔG° (298 K, DFT)=−1.4 kcal mol⁻¹]. Neither P-2S^. nor [-P-2S 2S-P-]⁻ oxidized guanine base; only base-to-backbone hole transfer occurs in phosphorodithioate.     

Bakers' Yeast Reduction of γ and δ Ketonitriles: Intermediates for the Synthesis of (S)-5-Hexanolide and Other Chiral Lactones

Abstract

A number of γ and δ ketonitriles have been synthesized and their reduction with bakers yeast carefully studied. Both 4-oxopentanenitrile and 5-oxohexanenitrile are reduced in moderate yields to the corresponding (S) alcohols of high ee while other substrates gave products of varying optical purities. These alcohols are useful intermediates for the preparation of chiral lactones, including the synthetically important (S)(?)-4-methylbutyrolactone and (S)-(?)-5-hexanolide.