An investigation of dipeptides containing polar and nonpolar side groups by curie-point pyrolysis tandem mass spectrometry

Methionyl-leucine, leucyl-methionine, phenylalanyl-leucine, and leucyl-phenylalanine have been analyzed to determine dipeptide fragmentation mechanisms in Curie-point pyrolysis tandem mass spectrometry. Results show that fragmentations of dipeptides follow two general pathways, one involving direct cleavage of the dipeptide and the other involving cyclization of the dipeptide. Unique products and strong changes in relative mass spectral peak intensities arise, depending on constituent amino acid residues and their sequence. Also, the length and nature of the side groups strongly direct fragmentation. From these results, the major peaks in the spectra of eight other dipeptides could be readily explained; this suggests that a significant number of dipeptides follow the same general fragmentation mechanisms.     

Graphical unitary group approach to arbitrary spin representations

A graph theoretic approach to the representation of N particle systems involving arbitrary single-particle spin is presented. The method is a generalization of the Distinct Row Table (DRT ) technique employed by Shavitt in developing the graphical unitary group approach (GUGA ) to electronic spin-orbitals. A detailed analysis of the DRT and GUGA representations is presented based on several theoretical considerations and computer-tested implementations. The use of the representation to establish rules concerning the evaluation of the matrix elements of the group generators is also discussed.     

Photochemical electron transfer reactions of tirapazamine

The absorption and fluorescence spectra of 3-aminobenzo-1,2,4-triazine di-N-oxide (tirapazamine) have been recorded and exhibit a dependence on solvent that correlates with the Dimroth ET30 parameter. Time-dependent density functional theory calculations reveal that the transition of tirapazamine in the visible region is pi-->pi* in nature. The fluorescence lifetime is 98+/-2 ps in water. The fluorescence quantum yield is approximately 0.002 in water. The fluorescence of tirapazamine is efficiently quenched by electron donors via an electron-transfer process. Linear Stern-Volmer fluorescence quenching plots are observed with sodium azide, potassium thiocyanate, guanosine monophosphate and tryptophan (Trp) methyl ester hydrochloride. Guanosine monophosphate, tyrosine (Tyr) methyl ester hydrochloride and Trp methyl ester hydrochloride appear to quench the fluorescence at a rate greater than diffusion control implying that these substrates complex with tirapazamine in its ground state. This complexation was detected by absorption spectroscopy.     

Selective Production of Renewable para‐Xylene by Tungsten Carbide Catalyzed Atom‐Economic Cascade Reactions

Tungsten carbide was employed as the catalyst in an atom‐economic and renewable synthesis of para‐xylene with excellent selectivity and yield from 4‐methyl‐3‐cyclohexene‐1‐carbonylaldehyde (4‐MCHCA). This intermediate is the product of the Diels–Alder reaction between the two readily available bio‐based building blocks acrolein and isoprene. Our results suggest that 4‐MCHCA undergoes a novel dehydroaromatization–hydrodeoxygenation cascade process by intramolecular hydrogen transfer that does not involve an external hydrogen source, and that the hydrodeoxygenation occurs through the direct dissociation of the C=O bond on the W₂C surface. Notably, this process is readily applicable to the synthesis of various (multi)methylated arenes from bio‐based building blocks, thus potentially providing a petroleum‐independent solution to valuable aromatic compounds.     

A pi-stacking terthiophene-based quinodimethane is an n-channel conductor in a thin film transistor

A terthiophene-based quinodimethane, 3',4'-dibutyl-5,5' '-bis(dicyanomethylene)-5,5' '-dihydro-2,2':5',2' '-terthiophene (1) was synthesized and crystallized. Compound 1 has a planar quinoid geometry that is stabilized by dicyanomethylene groups at each end of the molecule. In the crystal each molecule is part of a dimerized face-to-face pi-stack, with intermolecular spacings of 3.47 and 3.63 A, respectively. Cyclic voltammetry showed that 1 could be reversibly reduced and oxidized in methylene chloride solution. Thin film transistors (TFTs) were prepared by vacuum evaporation of 1 onto SiO2(300 nm)/Si substrates, followed by evaporation of Ag source and drain contacts. The doped Si substrate served as the gate electrode. X-ray diffraction and atomic force microscopy indicate the films are polycrystalline, with the long axes of the molecules approximately perpendicular to the substrate. The TFT measurements revealed n-channel conduction in films of 1, with room-temperature electron field effect mobilities as high as 0.005 cm2/Vs. The butyl side chains give 1 appreciable solubility in a range of common solvents, and preliminary TFT results on films cast from chlorobenzene show electron mobility as high as 0.002 cm2/Vs. These results indicate that pi-stacked quinoidal thiophene oligomers are a promising new class of soluble n-channel organic semiconductors.     

1,2,5-, 1,3,4- and 1,2,4-Oxadiazoles

Discrepancies found for some oxygen-containing compounds in a recent VESCF study of dipole moments have been further investigated by studying in detail furan, oxazole, isoxazole, and three isomeric oxadiazoles. In a preliminary geometrical study it was found that the method described previously for estimating ring angles and bond lengths satisfactorily accounted for observed geometries. However in those compounds where more than one ring atom carries lone pair -electrons, the electrostatic forces originating in these lone-pair dipoles have a considerable influence on ring geometry. When this is incorporated in the geometrical treatment, good agreement with known geometries is obtained.The effect of using Burns' rules for orbital exponents rather than Slater's rules to derive lone pair moments and the effect of including lone pair potentials in the hamiltonian have been studied. The best agreement between calculated and observed dipole moments (within 0.2 D) is obtained by using the BJ method that was used in the previous study but with revised values for some of the basic resonance integrals. The revised values are shown to be more in keeping with the relevant bond lengths and atomic numbers than the values previously used.

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Zusammenfassung Die in einer VESCF- (PPP mit Elektronegativitäts-Variation) Untersuchung über Dipolmomente aufgetretenen Abweichungen bei einigen O-haltigen Ringen wurden untersucht. Bei Ringen, die mehrere einsame Elektronenpaare tragen, muß die kürzlich angegebene einfache Methode zur Bestimmung der Geometrie durch zusätzliche Berücksichtigung der elektrostatischen Kräfte zwischen diesen Elektronenpaaren erweitert werden. Die Burnsschen Orbitalexponenten führen bei den einsamen Elektronenpaaren zu besseren Ergebnissen, als die Slaterschen. Die besten Dipolmomente werden mit der sog. BJ-Methode erhalten (Fehler < 0,2 D); allerdings wurden einige Resonanzintegrale gegenüber früheren Rechnungen abgeändert. Diese Resonanzintegrale entsprechen auch besser den Bindungslängen und Kernladungen.

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Résumé On a réétudié les contradictions trouvées pour certains composés oxygénés dans une étude récente des moments dipolaires par la méthode VESCF, en examinant en détail le furane, l'oxazole, l'isoxazole et trois oxadiazoles isomères. La méthode précédemment décrite pour l'estimation des angles du cycle et des longueurs de liaison rend compte de façon satisfaisante des géometries observées. Cependant dans les composés où plus d'un atome du cycle porte des paires libres d'électrons , les forces électrostatiques provenant de ces dipôles ont une influence considérable sur la géométrie du cycle. Lorsque l'on tient compte de cela dans le traitement de la géométrie, un bon accord est obtenu avec l'expérience.On a étudié l'effet provoqué par l'usage des règles de Burns plutôt que celles de Slater pour les exposants orbitaux pour l'obtention des moments des paires libres ainsi que l'effet de l'inclusion des potentiels des paires libres dans l'hamiltonien. Le meilleur accord entre moments dipolaires calculés et observés (á 0,2 D. près) est obtenu en utilisant la méthode BJ utilisée dans l'étude précédente mais avec des valeurs révisées pour certaines intégrales de résonance fondamentales. Ces nouvelles valeurs sont plus consistances avec les longueurs de liaison et les nombres atomiques que celles précédemment utilisées.