Infrared spectrum of 4-methoxypicolinic acid N-oxide: computation of asymmetric O-H stretching band

In this article we studied the strong intramolecularly hydrogen-bonded system 4-methoxypicolinic acid N-oxide. The potential energy surface V = V(rOH,rOO) and the corresponding dipole moment function were calculated using the DFT B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) level of approximation. The time-independent vibrational Schr?dinger equation was solved using a rectangular grid basis set and shifted Gaussian basis set. The vibrational spectrum and metric parameters were also calculated. Effects of deuteration were considered. The calculated vibrational spectra were compared with the experimental spectra. The vibrational transition corresponding to asymmetric O-H stretching that occurs at about 1400 cm-1 compares well with the experimentally assigned O-H asymmetric stretching band centered at 1380 cm-1. The corresponding asymmetric O-D stretching band was predicted to be at 1154 cm-1, while the experimental O-D band was not assigned due to its very low intensity. Several overtones and hot transitions of significant intensities were located in the vicinity of the fundamental O-H stretching frequency, effectively broadening the infrared absorption attributed to the O-H stretching mode. This is in a good agreement with the observed broad protonic absorptions found in the infrared spectra of the title compound and its analogs. We have shown that the Gaussian basis set is the method of choice for a two-dimensional vibrational problem that requires several hundreds of vibrational basis functions and when high accuracy of the eigenvalues is required or when extending the calculations to more vibrational degrees of freedom. We have also demonstrated that for a large number of basis functions the Gramm-Schmidt orthogonalization procedure outperforms symmetric and canonical orthogonalization schemes.     

Alpha-substituted organic peroxides: synthetic strategies for a biologically important class of gem-dihydroperoxide and perketal derivatives

In this paper we review the recent developments in the synthesis of alpha-substituted hydroperoxides. Alpha-substituted hydroperoxides are interesting compounds due to their chemistry and bioactivity and as intermediates for the synthesis of other peroxides, of which cyclic peroxides are of major importance. Although the emphasis of this report will be on the derivatives of gem-dihydroperoxides, perketals, as well as the less studied nitrogen and sulfur derivatives, will also be covered.     

Virtually epimerization-free synthesis of peptide-alpha-thioesters

Under slightly basic or neutral reaction conditions peptide-alpha-thioesters are photochemically synthesized from peptide-alpha-nitroindoline precursors, either in solution, or by direct photorelease from a solid support.     

Chiral separation of sympathomimetics and beta-blockers by ligand-exchange CE using Cu(II) complexes of L-tartaric acid and L-threonine as chiral selectors

This paper deals with the use of Cu(II) complexes of L-tartaric acid or L-threonine as selectors for the chiral separation of drugs containing amino alcohol structure by ligand-exchange CE. Using Cu(II) ions as a complexing agent, a series of sympathomimetics and beta-blockers were resolved. It was found that the resolution strongly depends on selector concentration and pH. The optimum pH for complexation was 12.     

Crystal structure, electronic structure, and physical properties of Ti1-deltaMo1+deltaAs4 and Ti1-deltaMo1+deltaSb4

The new ternary pnictides, Ti(1-delta)Mo(1+delta)Pn4 (Pn = As, Sb), were uncovered during our search for novel thermoelectric materials. Both compounds crystallize in the OsGe2 type in the monoclinic space group C2/m, with lattice dimensions of a = 10.1222(9) A, b = 3.6080(3) A, c = 8.1884(8) A, beta = 120.230(2) degrees , and V = 258.38(7) A3 (Z = 2) for Ti(0.79(1))Mo(1.21)Sb4 and a = 9.1580(2) A, b = 3.3172(1) A, c = 7.6666(1) A, beta = 119.496(1) degrees , and V = 202.720(4) A3 (Z = 2) for Ti(0.86(2))Mo(1.14)As4. The electronic structure calculations predicted metallic behavior for these compounds, which was in agreement with the measured temperature dependence of the electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient.     

Influence of the methacrylate monolith structure on genomic DNA mechanical degradation, enzymes activity and clogging

The chromatography of mechanically sensitive macromolecules still represents a challenge. While larger pores can reduce the mechanically induced cleavage of large macromolecules and column clogging, the column performance inevitably decreases. To investigate the effect of pore size on the mechanical degradation of DNA, column permeability and enzyme biological activity, methacrylate monoliths with different pore sizes were tested. Monolith with a 143 nm pore radius mechanically damaged the DNA and was clogged at flow rates above 0.5 ml min(-1) (26 cm h(-1)). For monoliths with a pore radius of 634 nm and 2900 nm, no mechanical degradation of DNA was observed up to 5 ml min(-1) (265 cm h(-1)) above which the HPLC itself became the main source of damage. A decrease of a permeability appeared at flow rate 1.8 ml min(-1) (95 cm h(-1)) and 2.3 ml min(-1) (122 cm h(-1)), respectively. The effect of the pore size on enzyme biological activity was tested with immobilized DNase and trypsin on all three monoliths. Although the highest amount of enzyme was immobilized on the monolith with the smallest pores, monolith with the pore radius 634 nm exhibited the highest DNase biological activity probably due to restricted access for DNA molecules into the small pores. Interestingly, specific biological activity was increasing with a pore size decrease. This was attributed to higher number of contacts between a substrate and immobilized ligand.     

Trace analysis of surfactants using chromatographic and electrophoretic techniques

Because of the widespread use, increased application of new formulations and immense impact on organisms and ecology surfactants are still in the focus of analytical chemistry. The development of methods with higher selectivity and lower detection limits is important to meet the requirements of greater responsibility for health of people and environment. Efficient separation methods, like HPLC, GC and CE, in combination with sensitive detection, like MS, are to be preferred over collective techniques which can suffer from interfering components. A review on trace analysis of ionic and neutral surfactants including sample preparation steps is presented, considering especially those methods which provide information about homologous and isomeric distribution of surfactant mixtures. Examples for the determination of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates in river water by HPLC and CE are discussed to show the capability of these methods for environmental analyses. As future trends increased applications of LC/MS (very high sensitivity) and also of CE (robustness and possibility for rapid method development) can be predicted. Received: 30 July 1998 / Revised: 28 October 1998 / Accetped: 1 November 1998     

Mevalonate-Independent Biosynthesis of Terpenoid Volatiles in Plants: Induced and Constitutive Emission of Volatiles

Terpenoids from flower and leaf volatiles are predominantly synthesized along the mevalonate-independent pathway, as shown by administration of [D₂]deoxy-D -xylulose and [D₅]mevalolactone. The parallel use of two pathways for the biosynthesis of the sesquiterpenoid-derived 4,8-dimethylnona-1,3,7-triene (DMNT, see picture) may be important to ensure the synthesis of the volatile alarm codes of plants.