Defect Structure in Te-doped GaAs Single Crystals after Plastic Deformation (II). Dislocation Slip and Cell Formation

At temperatures above the brittle-to-ductile transition (490 °C) in Te-doped GaAs three types of predominant defect configurations have been observed after uniaxial compression along a [001] direction: (i) twins and stacking faults (500 … 520 °C), (ii) slip zones of dislocations (≈550 °C) and (iii) dislocation cells (580 … 590 °C). In Part II quantitative details of the appearance of slip and cell formation are given. Leading segments of gliding half loops are mainly of 60° type. Cell walls were formed by multiple slip of perfect dislocations.     

Phenanthrene-fused boron-dipyrromethenes as bright long-wavelength fluorophores

A new class of boron-dipyrromethene (BDP or BODIPY) dyes was obtained by phenanthrene fusion to the beta-pyrrole positions, absorbing in the wavelength range of important laser sources. Despite a 'propeller-like' distorted structure in the crystalline state, the chromophore absorbs (log epsilon > or = 5) and fluoresces (Phif > or = 0.8) strongly and can be easily turned into a fluorescence light-up probe. Incorporation into latex beads produces bright and photostable single-dye and F?rster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) particles for microscopy applications.     

Membrane-mediated induction and sorting of K-Ras microdomain signaling platforms

The K-Ras4B GTPase is a major oncoprotein whose signaling activity depends on its correct localization to negatively charged subcellular membranes and nanoclustering in membrane microdomains. Selective localization and clustering are mediated by the polybasic farnesylated C-terminus of K-Ras4B, but the mechanisms and molecular determinants involved are largely unknown. In a combined chemical biological and biophysical approach we investigated the partitioning of semisynthetic fully functional lipidated K-Ras4B proteins into heterogeneous anionic model membranes and membranes composed of viral lipid extracts. Independent of GDP/GTP-loading, K-Ras4B is preferentially localized in liquid-disordered (l(d)) lipid domains and forms new protein-containing fluid domains that are recruiting multivalent acidic lipids by an effective, electrostatic lipid sorting mechanism. In addition, GDP-GTP exchange and, thereby, Ras activation results in a higher concentration of activated K-Ras4B in the nanoscale signaling platforms. Conversely, palmitoylated and farnesylated N-Ras proteins partition into the l(d) phase and concentrate at the l(d)/l(o) phase boundary of heterogeneous membranes. Next to the lipid anchor system, the results reveal an involvement of the G-domain in the membrane interaction process by determining minor but yet significant structural reorientations of the GDP/GTP-K-Ras4B proteins at lipid interfaces. A molecular mechanism for isoform-specific Ras signaling from separate membrane microdomains is postulated from the results of this study.     

Activation and Coordination of Ammonia at [Cp*Ir(H)2]: NMR and Matrix Isolation Studies

¹H NMR exchange spectroscopy of a reaction mixture of [Cp*Ir(H)₄] ( 1 ; Cp*=1,2,3,4,5‐pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) and ammonia suggests an exchange of hydrogen atoms between the hydrido ligands and ammonia. Treatment of 1 with ND₃ led to an H/D exchange between ND₃ and the hydrido ligands of 1 . Subsequent studies showed that photolysis of 1 isolated in frozen argon matrices leads to the formation of the iridium compounds [Cp*Ir(H)₂] ( 2 ) and [Cp*Ir(H)₃] ( 4 ), as it was confirmed by IR spectroscopy. In the presence of water the aqua complex [Cp*Ir(H)₂(OH₂)] ( 3 ) was generated simultaneously. Accordingly, photolysis of 1 in an argon matrix doped with ammonia gave rise to the ammine complex [Cp*Ir(H)₂(NH₃)] ( 5 ). IR assignments were supported by calculations of the gas‐phase IR spectra of 1 – 5 by DFT methods.     

Mononuclear Tetraamineplatinum(II) Complexes: Synthesis,Anticancer Activity,DNA Binding,and Cellular Uptake

The synthesis of three bis[(tert‐butoxy)carbonyl]‐protected (tetramine)dichloroplatinum complexes 2a – c of formula cis‐[PtCl₂(LL)] and of their cationic deprotected analogs 3a – c and their evaluation with respect to in vitro cytotoxicity, intramolecular stability, DNA binding, and cellular uptake is reported. The synthesis comprises the complexation of K₂[PtCl₄] with di‐N‐protected tetramines 1a – c to give 2a – c and subsequent acidolysis, yielding 3a – c . The cytotoxicity of the complexes is in direct relation to the length of the polyamine. Complexes 3a – c display a significant higher affinity for CT DNA as well as for cellular DNA in A2780 cells than cisplatin.     

Preparative and 1H NMR Investigation on Regioselective Silylation of Starch Dissolved in Dimethyl Sulfoxide

Reaction of starch 1 dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) with bulky thexyldimethylchlorosilane (TDSCl) in the presence of pyridine leads to regioselectively functionalized silyl ethers with a degree of substitution (DS) up to 1.8. The control of the DS_Si, of the regioselectivity, and of the reaction pathway is described in detail. The reaction proceeds homogeneously up to DS_Si of 0.6. With ongoing silylation the polymers form a separate phase incorporating the silylating agent to form TDS‐starches with DS_Si values higher than 1.0. After peracetylation of the silyl starches, the substitution pattern has been characterized not only in the anhydroglucose repeating units (AGU) but also in the non‐reducing terminal end groups (TEG) by means of two‐dimensional ¹H NMR techniques. Up to DS_Si 1.0, a very high regioselective functionalization of the primary 6‐OH groups in the AGU as well as in the TEG is detectable. With increasing silylation (DS_Si > 1.0), the subsequent silylation takes place at the 2‐OH groups of the AGU and at the 3‐OH groups of the TEG. These results are compared with our own investigations on the silylation of starch in the reaction system N‐methylpyrrolidone (NMP)/ammonia and on the silylation of cellulose in N,N‐dimethylacetamide (DMA)/LiCl/pyridine solution.