Comparison of the Properties of SnCl(3)(-) and SnBr(3)(-) Complexes of Platinum(II)

The complexes M(3)[Pt(SnX(3))(5)] (M = Bu(4)N(+), PhCH(2)PPh(3)(+); X = Cl, Br), cis-M(2)[PtX(2)(SnX(3))(2)] (M = Bu(4)N(+), PhCH(2)PPh(3)(+), CH(3)PPh(3)(+), Pr(4)N(+); X = Cl, Br), and [PhCH(2)PPh(3)](2)[PtBr(3)(SnBr(3))] have been prepared and characterized by (119)Sn and (195)Pt NMR, far-infrared, and electronic absorption and emission spectroscopies. In acetone solutions the [Pt(SnX(3))(5)](3)(-) ions retain their trigonal bipyramidal structures but are stereochemically nonrigid as evidenced by (119)Sn and (195)Pt NMR spectroscopy. For [Pt(SnCl(3))(5)](3)(-) spin correlation is preserved between 183 and 363 K establishing that the nonrigidity is due to intramolecular tin site exchange, probably via Berry pseudorotation. Whereas, [Pt(SnCl(3))(5)](3)(-) does not undergo loss of SnCl(3)(-) or SnCl(2) to form either [Pt(SnCl(3))(4)](2)(-) or [PtCl(2)(SnCl(3))(2)](2)(-), [Pt(SnBr(3))(5)](3)(-) is not stable in acetone solution in the absence of excess SnBr(2) and forms [PtBr(2)(SnBr(3))(2)](2)(-) and [PtBr(3)(SnBr(3))](2)(-) by loss of SnBr(2). Similarly, [PtCl(2)(SnCl(3))(2)](2)(-) is stable in acetone at ambient temperatures but disproportionates at elevated temperatures and [PtBr(2)(SnBr(3))(2)](2)(-) loses SnBr(2) in acetone to form [PtBr(3)(SnBr(3))](2)(-). The crystal structures of methyltriphenylphosphonium cis-dibromobis(tribromostannyl)platinate(II) and benzyltriphenylphosphonium tribromo(tribromostannyl)platinate(II) have been determined. Both compounds crystallize in the triclinic space group P&onemacr; in unit cells with a = 12.293(16) ?, b = 12.868(6) ?, c = 25.047(8) ?, alpha = 96.11(3) degrees, beta = 91.06(3) degrees, gamma = 116.53(3) degrees, rho(calc) = 2.30 g cm(-)(3), Z = 3 and with a = 11.046(7) ?, b = 14.164(9) ?, c = 22.549(10) ?, alpha = 89.44(4) degrees, beta = 83.32(5) degrees, gamma = 68.31(5) degrees, rho(calc) = 1.893 g cm(-)(3), Z = 2, respectively. Least-squares refinements converged at R = 0.057 and 0.099 for 4048 and 4666 independent observed reflections with I/sigma(I) > 3.0 and I/sigma(I) > 2.0, respectively. For the former, the asymmetric unit contains 1.5 cis-[PtBr(2)(SnBr(3))(2)](2)(-) ions, 0.5 of which is disordered in such a way as to be pseudocentrosymmetric. This disordering involves a half-occupied PtBr(2) unit appearing on either side of the center. Simultaneously, one bromine from each SnBr(3) ligand changes sides while the other two bromines appear in average positions with very small displacements between their positions. The Pt-Sn distance in [PtBr(3)(SnBr(3))](2)(-) (2.486(3) ?) is slightly shorter than that incis-[PtBr(2)(SnBr(3))(2)](2)(-) (2.4955(3) ?, average), and both are significantly longer than that previously found in cis-[PtCl(2)(SnCl(3))(2)](2)(-) (2.3556 ?, average), which is not consistent with the relative magnitudes of the (1)J((195)Pt-(119)Sn) coupling constants (28 487, 25 720, and 27 627 Hz, respectively). From our electronic absorption and emission studies of the Pt-SnX(3)(-) complexes, we conclude that (a) the low-energy transitions are d-d transitions analogous to those found in [PtX(4)](2)(-) systems, (b) the SnCl(3)(-) ligand is a stronger sigma donor than SnBr(3)(-), (c) the triplet state from which the emission occurs is split by spin-orbit coupling into different spin-orbit states, (d) a forbidden spin-orbit state must lie at or near the bottom of the spin-orbit manifold, (e) the solid state crystal environment perturbs the platinum-tin halide electronic states, and (f) dispersion of the samples in solvents changes this perturbation, which can be rationalized in terms of an in-plane distortion of the square planar platinum coordination sphere.     

Carbon-13 NMR shielding in the twenty common amino acids: comparisons with experimental results in proteins

We have used ab initio quantum chemical techniques to compute the (13)C(alpha) and (13)C(beta) shielding surfaces for the 14 amino acids not previously investigated (R. H. Havlin et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1997, 119, 11951-11958) in their most popular conformations. The spans (Omega = sigma(33) - sigma(11)) of all the tensors reported here are large ( approximately 34 ppm) and there are only very minor differences between helical and sheet residues. This is in contrast to the previous report in which Val, Ile and Thr were reported to have large ( approximately 12 ppm) differences in Omega between helical and sheet geometries. Apparently, only the beta-branched (beta-disubstituted) amino acids have such large CSA span (Omega) differences; however, there are uniformly large differences in the solution-NMR-determined CSA (Deltasigma = sigma(orth) - sigma(par)) between helices and sheets in all amino acids considered. This effect is overwhelmingly due to a change in shielding tensor orientation. With the aid of such shielding tensor orientation information, we computed Deltasigma values for all of the amino acids in calmodulin/M13 and ubiquitin. For ubiquitin, we find only a 2.7 ppm rmsd between theory and experiment for Deltasigma over an approximately 45 ppm range, a 0.96 slope, and an R(2) = 0.94 value when using an average solution NMR structure. We also report C(beta) shielding tensor results for these same amino acids, which reflect the small isotropic chemical shift differences seen experimentally, together with similar C(beta) shielding tensor magnitudes and orientations. In addition, we describe the results of calculations of C(alpha), C(beta), C(gamma)1, C(gamma)2, and C(delta) shifts in the two isoleucine residues in bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor and the four isoleucines in a cytochrome c and demonstrate that the side chain chemical shifts are strongly influenced by chi(2) torsion angle effects. There is very good agreement between theory and experiment using either X-ray or average solution NMR structures. Overall, these results show that both C(alpha) backbone chemical shift anisotropy results as well as backbone and side chain (13)C isotropic shifts can now be predicted with good accuracy by using quantum chemical methods, which should facilitate solution structure determination/refinement using such shielding tensor surface information.     

Single crystal structure determination of a new zirconium N-ethylpyridinium phosphonate: Zr(O(3)PCH(2)CH(2)NC(5)H(5))(F(-))(3)

We describe the structure of a new zirconium N-ethylpyridinium phosphonate, Zr(O(3)PCH(2)CH(2)NC(5)H(5))(F(-))(3), that has been determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis (monoclinic, P2(1)/c (No. 14), a = 12.3634(12) A, b = 9.3090(17) A, c = 9.8077(13) A, beta = 112.819(8) degrees, V = 1040.4(3) A(3), Z = 4). This structure is unlike any other reported zirconium phosphonate. Octahedral coordination about zirconium is completed by three oxygen atoms of three different phosphonate groups and three fluoride ligands. The structure is composed of corrugated infinite layers of these Zr octahedra that corner share their three oxygen atoms with the phosphonate tetrahedra. The appended cationic pyridinium groups lie between the inorganic sheets and are charge-balanced by the [Zr(O(3)P-)(3)F(3)](-) octahedra. This structure represents a new example of the structure-directing influence of cationic organic ligands on the zirconium phosphonate framework.     

The effect of Pt oxidation state and concentration on the photocatalytic removal of aqueous ammonia with Pt-modified titania

Platinum-modified titanium (IV) oxide (Pt-TiO₂) was used to photocatalytically oxidize aqueous ammonia selectively to nitrogen gas. The photocatalyst was solvent deposited on acrylic (PMMA) supports for use in simple distributive reactors. Pt was photodeposited on the titania surface within each reactor with concentrations ranging from 0.4% (w/w) to 5.1% (w/w) Pt. The oxidation state of the deposited Pt was subsequently modified using reduced phosphotungstic acid. Time-dependent kinetic studies were used to demonstrate the effect of oxidation state on the photocatalytic activity of the Pt-TiO₂. It was determined that treatment with reduced phosphotungstic acid enhanced the reaction rate and selectivity to nitrogen gas of the Pt-TiO₂ photocatalysts. Most significantly, treatment of Pt-TiO₂ with reduced phosphotungstic acid shifts the optimum Pt concentration to higher Pt loadings. The reactor containing 3.2% (w/w) post-treated Pt demonstrated the most favorable combination of NH₃ degradation rate and selectivity to N₂, resulting in the removal of 28.34% total nitrogen from 1.7 L of a 45.5 ppm NH₃-N solution within 72 h.     

HESS observations of the galactic center region and their possible dark matter interpretation

The detection of gamma rays from the source HESS J1745-290 in the Galactic Center (GC) region with the High Energy Spectroscopic System (HESS) array of Cherenkov telescopes in 2004 is presented. After subtraction of the diffuse gamma-ray emission from the GC ridge, the source is compatible with a point source with spatial extent less than 1.2;{'}(stat) (95% C.L.). The measured energy spectrum above 160 GeV is compatible with a power law with photon index of 2.25+/-0.04(stat)+/-0.10(syst) and no significant flux variation is detected. It is finally found that the bulk of the very high energy emission must have non-dark-matter origin.     

XAS and microscopy studies of the uptake and bio-transformation of copper in Larrea tridentata (creosote bush)

Herein we present work directed toward understanding the mechanisms employed by Larrea tridentata (Creosote bush) to uptake and simultaneously defend against the presence of excess copper. The location and nature of copper in the plant have been studied on several length scales: greater than 10 μm (scanning electron microscopy), less than 10 μm (transmission electron microscopy) and atomic level structure and speciation (EXAFS and XANES). Two interesting results are apparent: creosote takes up or adsorbs copper from the soil in the Cu(II) oxidation state and transports it to the leaves where copper is found as Cu(I) and Cu(II). The transport agent appears to be a Cu phytochelatin. Additionally, creosote may be immobilizing and excreting copper via at least two additional mechanisms: storage of metals in vacuoles and excretion of copper into the sticky resinous substance found on the leaf surface. Creosote may also accumulate wind-blown particulates that can easily adhere to the resinous sticky surface of the plant. If, however, the particulates are <10 μm they may enter the leaf by respiration through the plant ‘stomata’ that have openings between 5 μm and 10 μm. As such, creosote may be a natural bio-indicator for airborne particulates that are <10 μm.     

Measuring local optical properties: near-field polarimetry of photonic block copolymer morphology

Ultrahigh molecular weight polystyrene-b-polyisoprene block copolymers (BCs), noted for their photonic behavior, were imaged using transmission near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) and NSOM polarimetry. Our improved scheme for polarization modulation (PM) polarimetry, which accounts for optical anisotropies of the NSOM aperture probe, enables mapping of the local diattenuation and birefringence (with separately aligned diattenuating and fast axes) in these specimens with subdiffraction limited resolution. PM-NSOM micrographs illuminate the mesoscopic optical nature of these BC specimens by resolving individual microphase domains and defect structures.