Micro- and semi-micro-determination of halogens

Summary Rapid methods for the micro- and semi-micro-determination of halogens by dry combustion are described. Semi-micro-samples are burnt in a quartz capsule. The halogen is expelled from ash-containing compounds by vanadium pentoxide. The halogens are absorbed in hot alkali. Chlorine and bromine are titrated with alcoholic silver-nitrate, mercuric halogenide-diphenylcarbazide being used as indicator. Iodine is titrated with thiosulphate after oxidation to iodate.

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Zusammenfassung Schnell-Methoden für die Mikro- und Halbmikrohalogenbestimmung durch trockene Verbrennung werden beschrieben. Halbmikroeinwaagen werden in einem Quarzeinlegeröhrchen verbrannt. Aus aschehaltigen Substanzen werden die Halogene durch Vanadiumpentoxyd ausgetrieben. Die Halogene werden in heißem Alkali absorbiert. Chlor und Brom werden mit alkoholischer Silbernitratlösung titriert, wobei Quecksilberhalogenid-Diphenylcarbazid als Indikator verwendet wird. Jod wird nach Oxydation zu Jodat mit Thiosulfat titriert.

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Résumé On décrit des méthodes rapides de micro et de semimicrodosage des halogènes par combustion sèche. On calcine les semimicroéchantillons dans une capsule de quartz. L'halogène est expulsé des cendres par le pentoxyde de vanadium. On absorbe les halogènes au moyen d'alcali chaud. Le chlore et le brome sont titrés par une solution alcoolique de nitrate d'argent en utilisant comme indicateur de l'halogènure mercuriquediphénylcarbazide. On titre l'iode au thiosulfate après oxydation en iodate.

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With 1 figure.     

Crystal and molecular structure of bicyclo[2,2,1]hept-5-ene-2,3-endo-dicarboxylic acid

The crystal and molecular structure of bicyclo[2,2,1]hept-5-ene-2,3-endo-dicarboxylic acid, C₉H₁₀O₄, has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. The crystals are monoclinic:P2₁/c,a = 11·009(5),b = 7·394(5),c = 10·479(5) Å, = 98 ° 22(3) andZ = 4. The least-squares refinement of 1826 diffractometer reflexions resulted in a conventionalR of 0·074. Bond distances and angles of the bicyclo [2,2, 1]hept-5-ene ring system agree well with other recently published structures of this type, including similar asymmetry of bond distances. Hydrogen bonding of the acid groups occurs between the molecules so as to form infinite chains in the direction of thea-axis. Large anisotropic thermal motions of the oxygen atoms of one carboxylic acid group are, presumably, the result of differences in hydrogen-bonding geometry.     

Crystal and molecular structure of 1,1′,3,3′-tetraphenyloxaldiamidrazone

1,1,3,3-Tetraphenyloxaldiamidrazone, C₂₆H₂₄N₆, crystallizes in the monoclinic system: space groupP2₁/c,a= 13.946(1) Å,b= 5.706(1) Å,c= 17.109(1) Å, = 125.31(1) °,D _m = 1.254,D _c = 1.259 gcm^–3 andZ= 2. Intensities were obtained from –2 scans with a Syntex automated diffractometer using graphite-monochromated MoK radiation. The structure was solved by direct methods. Full-matrix least-squares refinement of all positional and thermal (anisotropic for the nonhydrogen atoms and isotropic for the hydrogen atoms) parameters using 2022 reflections [I>2(itI)] converged at a conventionalR of 0.041. The molecule is characterized by a conjugated pi system which includes the central N=C–C=N moiety and two of the four aniline groups. No intermolecular and only weak intramolecular hydrogen bonds are present.     

Genomics of selected human odorant receptors

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in odorant receptor genes may influence the protein sequence and consequently also the function of the receptors. An analysis of the HapMap data for human OR3A1 was performed and provided evidence that genetic differences subject to ancestry and gender can be recognized. A genomic comparison of individuals shows the diversity of odorant receptor genes and therefore potentially the variety of the sense of smell. At this time, two complete human genomes are available in public domain, which we used for this purpose.     

Genomics of selected human odorant receptors

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in odorant receptor genes may influence the protein sequence and consequently also the function of the receptors. An analysis of the HapMap data for human OR3A1 was performed and provided evidence that genetic differences subject to ancestry and gender can be recognized. A genomic comparison of individuals shows the diversity of odorant receptor genes and therefore potentially the variety of the sense of smell. At this time, two complete human genomes are available in public domain, which we used for this purpose. Correspondence: Anton Beyer, Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, University of Vienna, A-1090 Vienna, Austria.     

Anthracene-Porphyrin Nanoribbons

π-Conjugated nanoribbons attract interest because of their unusual electronic structures and charge-transport behavior. Here, we report the synthesis of a series of fully edge-fused porphyrin-anthracene oligomeric ribbons (dimer and trimer), together with a computational study of the corresponding infinite polymer. The porphyrin dimer and trimer were synthesized in high yield, via oxidative cyclodehydrogenation of singly linked precursors, using 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ) and trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TfOH). The crystal structure of the dimer shows that the central π-system is flat, with a slight S-shaped wave distortion at each porphyrin terminal. The extended π-conjugation causes a dramatic red-shift in the absorption spectra: the absorption maxima of the fused dimer and trimer appear at 1188 nm and 1642 nm, respectively (for the nickel complexes dissolved in toluene). The coordinated metal in the dimer was changed from Ni to Mg, using p-tolylmagnesium bromide, providing access to free-base and Zn complexes. These results open a versatile avenue to longer π-conjugated nanoribbons with integrated metalloporphyrin units.     

A dipicolinic acid tag for rigid lanthanide tagging of proteins and paramagnetic NMR spectroscopy

A new lanthanide tag was designed for site-specific labeling of proteins with paramagnetic lanthanide ions. The tag, 4-mercaptomethyl-dipicolinic acid, binds lanthanide ions with nanomolar affinity, is readily attached to proteins via a disulfide bond, and avoids the problems of diastereomer formation associated with most of the conventional lanthanide tags. The high lanthanide affinity of the tag opens the possibility to measure residual dipolar couplings in a single sample containing a mixture of paramagnetic and diamagnetic lanthanides. Using the DNA-binding domain of the E. coli arginine repressor as an example, it is demonstrated that the tag allows immobilization of the lanthanide ion in close proximity of the protein by additional coordination of the lanthanide by a carboxyl group of the protein. The close proximity of the lanthanide ion promotes accurate determinations of magnetic susceptibility anisotropy tensors. In addition, the small size of the tag makes it highly suitable for studies of intermolecular interactions.     

Synthetic and mechanistic aspects of a new method for ruthenium-metalation of porphyrins and Schiff-bases

A new method is presented for metalation of a wide range of free-base, neutral, cationic, and anionic porphyrins in refluxing dimethylformamide (DMF) using an easily prepared [Ru(DMF) 6](OTf) 3 complex, and comparisons are made with the more familiar metalation procedure using Ru 3(CO) 12. Both procedures generate Ru (II)(porp)(CO)L complexes (L = solvent); use of the Ru (III)-triflate precursor gives yields comparable to, or greater than, those obtained with the carbonyl, and generates no Ru-chlorin impurities. Mechanistic studies on the meso-tetraphenylporphyrin system reveal that the DMF furnishes the CO, which in the presence of essential water reduces the metal, and metalation likely occurs via a Ru (II)-CO species. Corresponding metalation of tetradentate Schiff-bases gives trans-[Ru (III)(Schiff- base)(DMF) 2]OTf complexes in yields of approximately 50%, a limitation being the accompanying hydrolysis of the Schiff-base through the presence of trace water.     

Domain shapes, coarsening, and random patterns in ternary membranes

A number of morphological and statistical aspects of domain formation in singly and doubly supported ternary membranes have been investigated. Such ternary membranes produce macroscopic phase separation in two fluid phases and are widely used as raft models. We find that membrane interactions with the support surface can have a critical influence on the domain shapes if measures are not taken to screen these interactions. Combined AFM and fluorescence microscopy demonstrate small (500 nm) irregular domains and incomplete formation of much larger (5 microm) round domains. These kinetically trapped structures are the result of interactions between the membrane and the support surface, and they can be effectively removed by employing doubly supported membranes under physiological salt concentrations. These decoupled supported membranes display macroscopic round domains that are easily perturbed by fluid shear flow. The system allows a quantitative characterization of domain coarsening upon being cooled into the coexistence region. We determine the domain growth exponent alpha = 0.31, which is in close agreement with the theoretical value of 1/3. Analysis of the spatial domain pattern in terms of Voronoi polygons demonstrates a close similarity to equilibrated cellular structures with a maximized configurational entropy.