Coordination around thorium(IV) in aqueous perchlorate,chloride and nitrate solutions

The coordination around the thorium(IV) ion in aqueous perchlorate, chloride and nitrate solutions has been determined from large angle X-ray scattering measurements. In perchlorate solutions, where inner-sphere complexes are not formed, the first coordination sphere contains 8.0±0.5 water molecules with Th-H₂O bond lengths of 2.48₅ Å. In chloride solutions inner-sphere complexes are formed, which lead to an increase in the coordination number. In nitrate solutions the nitrate ions are bonded as bidentate ligands to the thorium ion. The bond lengths are similar to those found in crystalline hydrates of thorium nitrate. The coordination numbers found for thorium(IV) in solution are compared with previously reported values for lower charged ions of similar size.On leave from Department of Inorganic Chemistry Royal Institute of Technology S-10044 Stockholm Sweden     

Structure determination of zinc iodide complexes formed in aqueous solution

Structures of the complexes formed in aqueous solutions between zinc(II) and iodide ions have been determined from large-angle X-ray scattering, Raman and far-IR measurements. The coordination in the hydrated Zn²⁺ hexaaqua ion and the first iodide complex, [ZnI]⁺, is octahedral, but is changed into tetrahedral in the higher complexes, [ZnI₂(H₂O)₂], [ZnI₃(H₂O)]^– and [ZnI₄]^2–. The Zn-I bond length is 2.635(4)Å in the [ZnI₄]^2– ion and slightly shorter, 2.592(6)Å, in the two lower tetrahedral complexes. In the octahedral [ZnI(H₂O)₅]⁺ complex the Zn-I bond length is 2.90(1)Å. The Zn-O bonding distances in the complexes are approximately the same as that in the hydrated Zn²⁺ ion, 2.10(1)Å.     

MM-PBSA free energy analysis of endo-1,4-xylanase II (XynII)-substrate complexes: binding of the reactive sugar in a skew boat and chair conformation

The binding of xylotetraose in different conformations to the active site of endo-1,4-beta-xylanase II (XynII) from Trichoderma reesei was studied using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and free energy analyses employing the MM-PBSA (Molecular Mechanics-Poisson-Boltzmann Surface Area) method. MD simulations of 1 ns were done for the substrate xylotetraose having the reactive sugar, which is bound in the -1 subsite of XynII in the 4C1 (chair) and 2So (skew boat) ground state conformations, and for the transition state of the XynII catalysed hydrolysis of the beta-glycosidic linkage. According to the simulations and free energy analysis, XynII binds the substrate with the -1 sugar in the 2So conformation 59.8 kJ mol(-1) tighter than the substrate with the sugar in the 4C1 conformation. The reactive 2So conformation resembles closely the reaction transition state and has the breaking glycosidic bond in a pseudo-axial orientation ready for facile bond cleavage. The transition state was calculated to be bound 77.1 kJ mol(-1) tighter than the 4C1 ground state conformation. The molecular mechanical interaction energy between the enzyme and the reactive pyranoside unit at the -1 subsite was 75.7 kJ mol(-1) more favorable for the binding of the 2So conformation than the 2C1 conformation, explaining the clearly tighter binding of the reactive structure The results of this study indicate that in the Michaelis complex XynII, a member of the family 11 xylanase, the substrate is bound in a skew boat conformation and in the catalytic reaction, the -1 sugar proceeds from the 4C1 conformation through 2So to the transition state with the -1 sugar in the 2,5B conformation.     

Action of HCl on 3-hydroxypyrazolo(iso)quinolines to give 1-chloropyrazoles: evidence for an addition–elimination mechanism by ab initio calculations in gas phase and water

 Addition–elimination reactions involving a nucleophile and a remote leaving group [S^H _N(AE)^tele] are well-known under basic conditions, especially amongst electron-poor six-membered heterocycles, but are less commonly encountered for five-membered heterocycles and are rare under acidic conditions. Concentrated HCl converts 1-hydroxy-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c] isoquinoline and 1-hydroxy-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]quinoline into 3-chloro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]isoquinoline and 3-chloro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]quinoline, respectively. However, apparently neither the isomeric 1-hydroxy-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c](iso)-quinolines nor the parent 1-hydroxypyrazole undergo this reaction. Additionally, all these systems are refractory under basic conditions. We present a plausible mechanism for the reaction, involving the 3-addition of Cl^- to the diprotonated heterocycle, followed by the elimination of water. Calculations of the initial transition states and intermediates, using optimisation at B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p), including thermochemistry [HF/6-31+G(d)], and single-point Poisson–Boltzmann self-consistent reaction field determination of the free energy of solvation (Jaguar Poisson–Boltzmann self-consistent reaction field), support this mechanism and reproduce the observed order of reactivity, the addition step being 2–4 kcal less favourable for the isomeric 1-hydroxy-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c](iso)quinolines and provide a rationalisation for the role of strong acid. Received: 27 June 2002 / Accepted: 6 September 2002 / Published online: 14 February 2003     

Addition of palladium and platinum tri-tert-butylphosphine groups to Re-Sn and Re-Ge bonds

The reaction of Re2(CO)8[mu-eta2-C(H)=C(H)Bu(n)](mu-H) with Ph3SnH at 68 degrees C yielded the new compound Re2(CO)8(mu-SnPh2)2 (10) which contains two SnPh2 ligands bridging two Re(CO)(4) groups, joined by an unusually long Re-Re bond. Fenske-Hall molecular orbital calculations indicate that the bonding in the Re2Sn2 cluster is dominated by strong Re-Sn interactions and that the Re-Re interactions are weak. The 119Sn M?ssbauer spectrum of 10 exhibits a doublet with an isomer shift (IS) of 1.674(12) mm s(-1) and a quadrupole splitting (QS) of 2.080(12) mm s(-1) at 90 K,characteristic of Sn(IV) in a SnA2B2 environment. The IS is temperature dependent, -1.99(14) x 10(-4) mm s(-1) K(-1); the QS is temperature independent. The temperature-dependent properties are consistent with the known Gol'danskii-Kariagin effect. The germanium compound Re2(CO)8(mu-GePh2)2 (11) was obtained from the reaction of Re2(CO)8[mu-eta2-C(H)=C(H)Bu(n)](mu-H) with Ph3GeH. Compound 11 has a structure similar to that of 10. The reaction of 10 with Pd(PBu(t)3)2 at 25 degrees C yielded the bis-Pd(PBu(t)3) adduct, Re2(CO)8(mu-SnPh2)2[Pd(PBu(t)3)]2 (12); it has two Pd(PBu(t)3) groups bridging two of the four Re-Sn bonds in 10. Fenske-Hall molecular orbital calculations show that the Pd(PBu(t)3) groups form three-center two-electron bonds with the neighboring rhenium and tin atoms. The mono- and bis-Pt(PBu(t)3) adducts, Re2(CO)8(mu-SnPh2(2)[Pt(PBu(t)3)] (13) and Re2(CO)8(mu-SnPh2)2[Pt(PBu(t)3)]2 (14), were formed when 10 was treated with Pt(PBu(t)3)2. A mono adduct of 11, Re2(CO)8(mu-GePh2)2[Pt(PBu(t)3)] (15), was obtained similarly from the reaction of 11 with Pt(PBu(t)3)2.     

Preparation of benzyne complexes of group 10 metals by intramolecular suzuki coupling of ortho-metalated phenylboronic esters: molecular structure of the first benzyne-palladium(0) complex

A series of nickel(II) and palladium(II) aryl complexes substituted in the ortho position of the aromatic ring by a (pinacolato)boronic ester group, [MBr[o-C(6)H(4)B(pin)]L(2)] (M = Ni, L(2) = 2PPh(3) (2a), 2PCy(3) (2b), 2PEt(3) (2c), dcpe (2d), dppe (2e), and dppb (2f); M = Pd, L(2) = 2PPh(3) (3a), 2PCy(3) (3b), and dcpe (3d)), has been prepared. Many of these complexes react readily with KO(t)Bu to form the corresponding benzyne complexes [M(eta(2)-C(6)H(4))L(2)] (M = Ni, L(2) = 2PPh(3) (4a), 2PCy(3) (4b), 2PEt(3) (4c), dcpe (4d); M = Pd, L(2) = 2PCy(3) (5b)). This reaction can be regarded as an intramolecular version of a Suzuki cross-coupling reaction, the driving force for which may be the steric interaction between the boronic ester group and the phosphine ligands present in the precursors 2 and 3. Complex 3d also reacts with KO(t)Bu, but in this case disproportionation of the initially formed eta(2)-C(6)H(4) complex (5d) leads to a 1:1 mixture of a novel dinuclear palladium(I) complex, [(dcpe)Pd(mu(2)-C(6)H(4))Pd(dcpe)] (6), and a 2,2'-biphenyldiyl complex, [Pd(2,2'-C(6)H(4)C(6)H(4))(dcpe)] (7d). Complexes 2a, 3b, 3d, 4b, 5b, 6, and 7d have been structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction; complex 5b is the first example of an isolated benzyne-palladium(0) species.     

Highly diastereoselective conjugate additions of monoorganocopper reagents to chiral imides

Stereoselective conjugate additions to chiral N-enoyl amides employing various monoorganocuprate reagents, Li[RCuI], are described. The presence of TMSI in the addition of Li[RCuI] in THF provided the highest stereoselectivities. Reversed major diastereomeric ratios were obtained employing Li[RCuI] in ether or conventional copper-promoted Grignard reagents. The results presented support the favored anti-s-cis conformation of the substrates using Li[RCuI]/TMSI in THF, while the copper-promoted Grignard reagents or the Li[RCuI] reagents in ether favor the opposite syn-s-cis conformation. Influence of lithium ions on the stereoselective conjugate addition of the monoorganocuprate reagent, Li[BuCuI], has been investigated and two different mechanistic pathways are presented. The results show that iodotrimethylsilane (TMSI) is crucial for the asymmetric conjugate addition of the copper reagent, but only in THF or when 12-crown-4 is used. The reaction is thought not to involve any halosilane in any critical steps in the organocopper mechanisms conducted in ether. The (CuI)₄(SMe₂)₃ complex precursor plays an instrumental role for the conjugate addition using monoorganocopper reagents.     

Quantitative analysis of conformational exchange contributions to 1H-15N multiple-quantum relaxation using field-dependent measurements. Time scale and structural characterization of exchange in a calmodulin C-terminal domain mutant

Multiple-quantum spin relaxation is a sensitive probe for correlated conformational exchange dynamics on microsecond to millisecond time scales in biomolecules. We measured differential 1H-15N multiple-quantum relaxation rates for the backbone amide groups of the E140Q mutant of the C-terminal domain of calmodulin at three static magnetic field strengths. The differential multiple-quantum relaxation rates range between -88.7 and 92.7 s(-1), and the mean and standard deviation are 7.0 +/- 24 s(-1), at a static magnetic field strength of 14.1 T. Together with values of the 1H and 15N chemical shift anisotropies (CSA) determined separately, the field-dependent data enable separation of the different contributions from dipolar-dipolar, CSA-CSA, and conformational exchange cross-correlated relaxation mechanisms to the differential multiple-quantum relaxation rates. The procedure yields precise quantitative information on the dominant conformational exchange contributions observed in this protein. The field-dependent differences between double- and zero-quantum relaxation rates directly benchmark the rates of conformational exchange, showing that these are fast on the chemical shift time scale for the large majority of residues in the protein. Further analysis of the differential 1H-15N multiple-quantum relaxation rates using previously determined exchange rate constants and populations, obtained from 15N off-resonance rotating-frame relaxation data, enables extraction of the product of the chemical shift differences between the resonance frequencies of the 1H and 15N spins in the exchanging conformations, deltasigma(H)deltasigma(N). Thus, information on the 1H chemical shift differences is obtained, while circumventing complications associated with direct measurements of conformational exchange effects on 1H single-quantum coherences in nondeuterated proteins. The method significantly increases the information content available for structural interpretation of the conformational exchange process, partly because deltasigma(H)deltasigma(N) is a signed quantity, and partly because two chemical shifts are probed simultaneously. The present results support the hypothesis that the exchange in the calcium-loaded state of the E140Q mutant involves conformations similar to those of the wild-type apo (closed) and calcium-loaded (open) states.     

Redox-switchable direction of photoinduced electron transfer in an Ru(bpy)3(2+)-viologen dyad

Quenching of the 3MLCT excited state of [Ru(bpy)3]2+ (bpy=bipyridine) by the reduction products (MV*+ and MV0) of methyl viologen (MV2+) was studied by a combination of electrochemistry with laser flash photolysis or femtosecond pump-probe spectroscopy. Both for the bimolecular reactions and for the reactions in an Ru(bpy)3(2+)-MVn+ dyad, quenching by MV*+ and MV0 is reductive and gives the reduced ruthenium complex [Ru(bpy)3]+, in contrast to the oxidative quenching by MV2+. Rate constants of quenching (kq), and thermal charge recombination (krec) and cage escape yields (phi(ce)) were determined for the bimolecular reactions, and rates of forward (kf) and backward (kb) electron transfer in the dyad were measured for quenching by MV2+, MV*+, and MV0. The reactions in the dyad are very rapid, with values up to kf = 1.3 x 10(12) s(-1) for *Ru(bpy)3(2+)-MV*+. In addition, a long-lived (tau = 15 ps) vibrationally excited state of MV*+ with a characteristically structured absorption spectrum was detected; this was generated by direct excitation of the MV*+ moiety both at 460 and 600 nm. The results show that the direction of photoinduced electron transfer in a Ru(bpy)3-MV molecule can be switched by an externally applied bias.     

An intercomparison of sampling techniques for measurements of radiocaesium in upland pasture and soil

An intercomparison of sampling procedures used by five laboratories for the determination of radiocaesium in vegetation and peaty soil was carried out at two locations in Cumbria. The multiple sampling has given information on the homogeneity of the parameters studied at each location. The parameters comprise soil bulk densities, total deposition of¹³⁷Cs, deposition of¹³⁷Cs in three soil layers, biomass densities, concentrations of¹³⁷Cs in pasture, and activity ratios (¹³⁴Cs/¹³⁷Cs) in soil and vegetation. The determination of total deposition of¹³⁷Cs gave no indication of differences between the laboratories. The results from the soil profiles do indicate significant differences between laboratories. One laboratory using a coring technique observed difficulties during sampling due to compression of the soil. The coring technique should thus be avoided or applied with extreme care for the sampling of depth profiles in peaty soil. The results from the sampling of pasture show no indication of differences between the laboratories. For the parameters studied the observed variabilities across soil depths and locations range from 10% to 81% in terms of relative standard deviations. A comparison across all results at the two locations indicate a 50% higher field variability at one of the sites relative to the other.