Electronic energy transfer from the S2 state of rhodamine 6G

In this paper we present the results of an experimental study of intermolecular electronic energy transfer (EET) from the short-lived Second excited singlet state of rhodamine 6G (R6G) to the ground state of 2,5-bis [5′-tert-butyl-2-benzoxazolyl] thiophene (BBOT). The S₂ state of the donor was excited by sequential, time-delayed, two-photon excitation (STDTPE) utilizing the second harmonic and the first harmonic of a mode-locked Nd³⁺: glass laser, while the EET process was interrogated by monitoring the enhancement of the S₁ → S₀ fluorescence of BBOT. The enhancement of the fluorescence intensity of BBOT was found to be linear in the energies of the two exciting pulses, and linear in the concentration of the energy acceptor (over the BBOT concentration range of (0.3–7) × 10^?5 M), which is in accord with the predictions of the Forster—Dexter mechanism for resonant EET from an ultrashort-lived donor state at low acceptor concentrations. Quantitative measurements of the S₂ → S₀ fluorescence yield in R6G solution directly excited by STDTPE and of the S₁ → S₀ fluorescence of BBOT from R6G + BBOT solutions resulting from EET led to the values of Y_D(S₂ → S₀) = (2.1 ± 0.5) × 10^?6 for the emission quantum yield of the S₂ state of R6G and τr_D(S₂) ≈ 3 × 10^?14 s for the lifetime of the metastable S₂ state of this molecule.     

High-frequency and -field EPR investigation of a manganese(III) N-confused porphyrin complex, [Mn(NCTPP)(py)2

We report the first high-frequency and -field electron paramagnetic resonance (HFEPR) study of a Mn(III) N-confused porphyrin (NCP) complex (NCP is also known as inverted porphyrin or 2-aza-21-carbaporphyrin). We have found a striking variation in the electronic properties of the S = 2 Mn(III) ion coordinated by NCP compared to other Mn(III) porphyrinoid complexes. Thus, inversion of a single pyrrole ring greatly changes the equatorial ligand field exerted and leads to large magnitudes of both the axial and rhombic zero-field splitting [respectively, D = -3.084(3) cm(-1), E = -0.608(3) cm(-1)], which are unprecedented in other Mn(III) porphyrinoids.     

Ligand requirements for glmS ribozyme self-cleavage

Natural RNA catalysts (ribozymes) perform essential reactions in biological RNA processing and protein synthesis, whereby catalysis is intrinsic to RNA structure alone or in combination with metal ion cofactors. The recently discovered glmS ribozyme is unique in that it functions as a glucosamine-6-phosphate (GlcN6P)-dependent catalyst believed to enable "riboswitch" regulation of amino-sugar biosynthesis in certain prokaryotes. However, it is unclear whether GlcN6P functions as an effector or coenzyme to promote ribozyme self-cleavage. Herein, we demonstrate that ligand is absolutely requisite for glmS ribozyme self-cleavage activity. Furthermore, catalysis both requires and is dependent upon the acid dissociation constant (pKa) of the amine functionality of GlcN6P and related compounds. The data demonstrate that ligand is integral to catalysis, consistent with a coenzyme role for GlcN6P and illustrating an expanded capacity for biological RNA catalysis.     

Simple efficient synthesis of LTB4 and 12-epi-LTB4

Using L-and D-arabinose respectively as the source of chirality at C-12 in LTB₄, efficient new syntheses of LTB₄ and 12-epi-LTB₄ have been realized.     

Proton affinity of β-oxalylaminoalanine (BOAA): Incorporation of direct entropy correction into the single-reference kinetic method

A new version of the single-reference-extended kinetic method is presented in which direct entropy correction is incorporated. Results of calibration experiments with the monodentate base pyridine and the bidentate base ethylenediamine are presented for which the method provides proton affinities in excellent agreement with published values and reasonable predictions for the protonation entropies. The method is then used to determine the proton affinity and protonation entropy of the non-protein amino acid beta-oxalylaminoalanine (BOAA). The PA of BOAA is found to be 933.1 +/- 7.8 kJ/mol and a prediction for the protonation entropy of -39 J mol(-1) K(-1) is also obtained, indicating a significant degree of intramolecular hydrogen bonding in the protonated form. These results are supported by hybrid density functional theory calculations at the B3LYP/6-311++G**//B3LYP/6-31+G* level. They indicate that the preferred site of protonation is the alpha-nitrogen atom (PA = 935.0 kJ/mol) and that protonated BOAA has a strong hydrogen bond between the hydrogen on the alpha-amino group and one of the carbonyl oxygen atoms on the side chain.     

Structure of a de novo designed protein model of radical enzymes

The use of side chains as catalytic cofactors for protein mediated redox chemistry raises significant mechanistic issues as to how these amino acids are activated toward radical chemistry in a controlled manner. De novo protein design has been used to examine the structural basis for the creation and maintenance of a tryptophanyl radical in a three-helix bundle protein maquette. Here we report the detailed structural analysis of the protein by multidimensional NMR methods. An interesting feature of the structure is an apparent pi-cation interaction involving the sole tryptophan and a lysine side chain. Hybrid density functional calculations support the notion that this interaction raises the reduction potential of the W degrees /WH redox pair and helps explain the redox characteristics of the protein. This model protein system therefore provides a powerful model for exploring the structural basis for controlled radical chemistry in protein.     

Electron and nuclear dynamics of molecular clusters in ultraintense laser fields. I. Extreme multielectron ionization

In this paper we present a theoretical and computational study of extreme multielectron ionization (involving the stripping of all the electrons from light, first-row atoms, and the production of heavily charged ions, e.g., Xe(+q) (q< or =36) from heavy atoms) in elemental and molecular clusters of Xe(n),(D(2))(n), and (CD(4))(n) (n=55-1061) in ultraintense (intensity I=10(15)-10(19) W cm(-2)) laser fields. Single atom or molecule multielectron ionization can be adequately described by the semiclassical barrier suppression ionization (BSI) mechanism. Extreme cluster multielectron ionization is distinct from that of a single atomic or molecular species in terms of the mechanisms, the ionization level and the time scales for electron dynamics and for nuclear motion. The novel compound mechanism of cluster multielectron ionization, which applies when the cluster size (radius R(0)) considerably exceeds the barrier distance for the BSI of a single constituent, involves a sequential-parallel, inner-outer ionization. The cluster inner ionization driven by the BSI for the constituents is induced by a composite field consisting of the laser field and inner fields. The energetics and dynamics of the system consisting of high energy (< or =3 keV) electrons and of less, similar 100 keV ions in the laser field was treated by molecular dynamics simulations, which incorporate electron-electron, electron-ion, ion-ion, and charge-laser interactions. High-energy electron dynamics also incorporates relativistic effects and includes magnetic field effects. We treat inner ionization considering inner field ignition, screening and fluctuation contributions as well as small [(< or =13%)] impact ionization contributions. Subsequent to inner ionization a charged nanoplasma is contained within the cluster, whose response to the composite (laser+inner) field results in outer ionization, which can be approximately described by an entire cluster barrier suppression ionization mechanism.     

Mechanistic studies on the formation and reactivity of dioxygen adducts of diiron complexes supported by sterically hindered carboxylates

Dioxygen activation by enzymes such as methane monooxygenase, ribonucleotide reductase, and fatty acid desaturases occurs at a nonheme diiron active site supported by two histidines and four carboxylates, typically involving a (peroxo)diiron(III,III) intermediate in an early step of the catalytic cycle. Biomimetic tetracarboxylatodiiron(II,II) complexes with the familiar "paddlewheel" topology comprising sterically bulky o-dixylylbenzoate ligands with pyridine, 1-methylimidazole, or THF at apical sites readily react with O(2) to afford thermally labile peroxo intermediates that can be trapped and characterized spectroscopically at low temperatures (193 K). Cryogenic stopped-flow kinetic analysis of O(2) adduct formation carried out for the three complexes reveals that dioxygen binds to the diiron(II,II) center with concentration dependences and activation parameters indicative of a direct associative pathway. The pyridine and 1-methylimidazole intermediates decay by self-decomposition. However, the THF intermediate decays much faster by oxygen transfer to added PPh(3), the kinetics of which has been studied with double mixing experiments in a cryogenic stopped-flow apparatus. The results show that the decay of the THF intermediate is kinetically controlled by the dissociation of a THF ligand, a conclusion supported by the observation of saturation kinetic behavior with respect to PPh(3), inhibition by added THF, and invariant saturation rate constants for the oxidation of various phosphines. It is proposed that the proximity of the reducing substrate to the peroxide ligand on the diiron coordination sphere facilitates the oxygen-atom transfer. This unique investigation of the reaction of an O(2) adduct of a biomimetic tetracarboxylatodiiron(II,II) complex provides a synthetic precedent for understanding the electrophilic reactivity of like adducts in the active sties of nonheme diiron enzymes.     

Studies on the substrate specificity of Escherichia coli galactokinase

In vitro glycorandomization (IVG) technology is dependent upon the ability to rapidly synthesize sugar phosphates. Compared with chemical synthesis, enzymatic (kinase) routes to sugar phosphates would be attractive for this application. This work focuses upon the development of a high-throughput colorimetric galactokinase (GalK) assay and its application toward probing the substrate specificity and kinetic parameters of Escherichia coli GalK. The demonstrated dinitrosalicylic assay should also be generally applicable to a variety of sugar-processing enzymes. [reaction: see text]