Pyrazolate-based copper(II) and nickel(II) [2 x 2] grid complexes: protonation-dependent self-assembly, structures and properties

The pyrazole-based diamide ligand N,N'-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)pyrazole-3,5-dicarboxamide (H(3)L) has been structurally characterised and successfully employed in the preparation of [2 x 2] grid-type complexes. Thus, the reaction of H(3)L with Cu(ClO(4))2.6H(2)O or Ni(ClO(4))2.6H(2)O in the presence of added base (NaOH) affords the tetranuclear complexes [M(4)(HL(4))].8H(2)O (1: M = Cu, 2: M = Ni). Employment of a mixture of the two metal salts under otherwise identical reaction conditions leads to the formation of the mixed-metal species [Cu(x)Ni(4-x)(HL)(4)].8H(2)O (x相似文献   

The pattern of distribution of amino groups modulates the structure and dynamics of natural aminoglycosides: implications for RNA recognition

Aminoglycosides are clinically relevant antibiotics that participate in a large variety of molecular recognition processes involving different RNA and protein receptors. The 3-D structures of these policationic oligosaccharides play a key role in RNA binding and therefore determine their biological activity. Herein, we show that the particular NH2/NH3(+)/OH distribution within the antibiotic scaffold modulates the oligosaccharide conformation and flexibility. In particular, those polar groups flanking the glycosidic linkages have a significant influence on the antibiotic structure. A careful NMR/theoretical analysis of different natural aminoglycosides, their fragments, and synthetic derivatives proves that both hydrogen bonding and charge-charge repulsive interactions are at the origin of this effect. Current strategies to obtain new aminoglycoside derivatives are mainly focused on the optimization of the direct ligand/receptor contacts. Our results strongly suggest that the particular location of the NH2/NH3(+)/OH groups within the antibiotics can also modulate their RNA binding properties by affecting the conformational preferences and inherent flexibility of these drugs. This fact should also be carefully considered in the design of new antibiotics with improved activity.     

Dilatational rheology of beta-casein adsorbed layers at liquid-fluid interfaces

The rheological behavior of beta-casein adsorption layers formed at the air-water and tetradecane-water interfaces is studied in detail by means of pendant drop tensiometry. First, its adsorption behavior is briefly summarized at both interfaces, experimentally and also theoretically. Subsequently, the experimental dilatational results obtained for a wide range of frequencies are presented for both interfaces. An interesting dependence with the oscillation frequency is observed via the comparative analysis of the interfacial elasticity (storage part) and the interfacial viscosity (loss part) for the two interfaces. The analysis of the interfacial elasticities provides information on the conformational transitions undergone by the protein upon adsorption at both interfaces. The air-water interface shows a complex behavior in which two maxima merge into one as the frequency increases, whereas only a single maximum is found at the tetradecane interface within the range of frequencies studied. This is interpreted in terms of a decisive interaction between the oil and the protein molecules. Furthermore, the analysis of the interfacial viscosities provides information on the relaxation processes occurring at both interfaces. Similarly, substantial differences arise between the gaseous and liquid interfaces and various possible relaxation mechanisms are discussed. Finally, the experimental elasticities obtained for frequencies higher than 0.1 Hz are further analyzed on the basis of a thermodynamic model. Accordingly, the nature of the conformational transition given by the maximum at these frequencies is discussed in terms of different theoretical considerations. The formation of a protein bilayer at the interface or the limited compressibility of the protein in the adsorbed state are regarded as possible explanations of the maximum.     

Mechanistic Insights into a Sustainable Mechanochemical Synthesis of Ettringite

Mechanochemistry offers an environmentally benign and facile synthesis method for a variety of cement paste constituents. In addition, these methods can be used to selectively tune the properties of cement components. The mineral ettringite is an important component of cementitious materials and has additional technological potential due to its ion exchange properties. Synthesis of ettringite via mechanochemistry is an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional wet-chemical synthesis established in industry. This contribution explores the mechanism of a two-step mechanochemical synthesis of ettringite, which was previously found to greatly improve the reaction conversion as compared with one-pot synthesis. The crystallinity of Al(OH)₃ was found to decrease during the first stage of this mechanochemical synthesis. This was correlated to a significant decrease in the particle size of Al(OH)₃ in this stage. No other significant changes were found for the other components, suggesting that mechanochemical activation of Al(OH)₃ is responsible for the enhanced formation of ettringite by the two-step approach. The environmentally friendly approach developed for ettringite synthesis offers a versatile synthetic strategy, which can be applied to synthesise further cementitious materials.     

Sulfide oxygenation by tert-butyl hydroperoxide with mononuclear (Me3TACN)Mn catalysts

Mononuclear (Me₃TACN)MnX₃ compounds, where X is Cl⁻, Br⁻, or N₃⁻, and Me₃TACN is 1,4,7-N,N′,N″-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane, have been tested for catalyzing both sulfide oxygenation and styrene epoxidation by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) and display turnover frequencies (TOF) up to 200 h⁻¹ at room temperature. Sulfoxides or sulfones may be produced selectively by varying reaction conditions. Product distribution from the oxygenation reactions of ethyl phenyl sulfide, 2-chloroethyl phenyl sulfide, and styrene is consistent with a mechanism involving an early single-electron transfer (SET) step.