Synthesis and magnetic properties of copper (II)-lanthanoid (III) binuclear complexes with N,N′-bis(3-aminopropyl) oxamido ligand

Six novel μ-oxamido binuclear complexes, namely Cu(axpn)Ln(L)₂(ClO₄)₃ (Ln: Eu, Gd, Tb, Nd, Ho, Er), where oxpn is N,N'-bis(3-aminopropyl) oxamido, L denotes 5-nitro,10-phenanthroline (abbreviated as NO₂-phen), have been synthesized and characterised. The magnetic susceptibility of complexes Cu(oxpn)Gd(NO₂-phen)2(ClO₄)₃.2H₂O was measured over the 4–300 K and the observed data were successfully simulated by equation based on spin Hamiltonian operator (H = -2J₁ · S₂), giving the exchange integral J(Cu-Gd)=-1.62 cm^?1. This indicates a weak antiferromagnetic interaction between the Cu(II) and Gd(III) ions.     

Evidence for unfolding and refolding of gas-phase cytochrome <Emphasis Type="Italic">c</Emphasis> ions in a Paul trap

The folding pathways of gas-phase cytochrome c ions produced by electrospray ionization have been studied by an ion trapping/ion mobility technique that allows conformations to be examined over extended timescales (10 ms to 10 s). The results show that the +9 charge state emerges from solution as a compact structure and then rapidly unfolds into several substantially more open structures, a transition that requires 30-60 ms; over substantially longer timescales (250 ms to 10 s) elongated states appear to refold into an array of folded structures. The new folded states are less compact than those that are apparent during the initial unfolding. Apparently, unfolding to highly open conformations is a key step that must occur before +9 ions can sample more compact states that are stable at longer times.     

DNA-binding studies of mixed ligand cobalt(III) complexes

The DNA binding characteristics of mixed ligand complexes of the type [Co(en)₂(L)]Br₃ where en = N,N′-ethylenediamine and L = 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy), 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione (phendione), dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine (dppz) have been investigated by absorption titration, competitive binding fluorescence spectroscopy and viscosity measurements. The order of intercalative ability of the coordinated ligands is dppz > phen > phendione > bpy in this series of complexes.     

Application of matrix solid-phase dispersion to the determination of a new generation of fungicides in fruits and vegetables

A method based on matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) and gas chromatography to determine eight fungicides in fruits and vegetables is described. Fungicide residues were identified and quantified using nitrogen-phosphorus detection and electron-capture detection connected in parallel and confirmed by mass spectrometric detection. The method required 0.5 g of sample, C18 bonded silica as dispersant sorbent, silica as clean-up sorbent and ethyl acetate as eluting solvent. Recoveries from spiked orange, apple, tomato, artichoke, carrot and courgette samples ranged from 62 to 102% and relative standard deviations were less than 15% in the concentration range 0.05-10 mg kg(-1). Detection and quantitation limits ranged 3-30 microg kg(-1) and 10-100 microg kg(-1), respectively, with linear calibration curves up to 10 mg kg(-1). The analytical characteristics of MSPD compared very favourably with the results of a classical multiresidue method, which uses ethyl acetate and anhydrous sodium sulphate for the extraction.     

Long term stability of organic selenium species in aqueous solutions

Long term stability of organic selenium compounds (selenocystine, selenomethionine, trimethylselenonium ion) has been studied over a one year period for 2 analyte concentrations: 25 and 150 μg/L Se, at pH 4.5 in the dark, under different storage conditions: temperature of –20°C, 4°C, 20°C, 40°C; in Pyrex, Teflon, or polyethylene containers; in an aqueous matrix or in the presence of a chromatographic counter ion (pentyl sulfonate at 10^–4 mol/L concentration). Light effects have also been tested. The stability of the selenium species was monitored by HPLC-ICP/MS. Storage conditions can drastically alter the stability of organic selenium species. Organoselenium compounds were shown to be stable in the dark over a one year period in an aqueous matrix at pH 4.5 in Pyrex containers at both 4°C and 20°C. Pyrex vials exposed to natural sunlight at room temperature resulted in a steady decrease of the selenoamino acid concentration. Teflon containers caused losses of less than 25% at both 4° C and 20° C in the dark. However, polyethylene vials presented, at all temperatures tested, a rapid decrease of the TMSe⁺ concentration. The stability of the Se species studied did not show significant differences between 4° C and 20° C in any container material used. Storage of solutions at 40° C led to slight differences between the Pyrex and Teflon containers. However, polyethylene presented a drastic decrease of the three species over time at this higher temperature. Solutions frozen at –20° C in polyethylene vials did not stabilize the TMSe⁺ signal. Finally, concentrations and matrices of the samples did not significantly affect the stability of the species. Received: 15 July 1996 / Revised: 14 July 1997 / Accepted: 18 July 1997     

Optimization of the reduction of Se(VI) to Se(IV) in a microwave oven

 Parameters for the reduction of Se(VI) to Se(IV) in HCl medium by heating in a microwave oven have been optimized. The reduction resulted to be quantitative applying 100% power, corresponding to 600 W heating for 2 min in 6 mol/L or for 3 min in 4 mol/L HCl. The behavior of selenomethionine and selenocystine under the optimized reduction conditions was studied in order to evaluate a possible interference of these selenium species in the determination of Se(VI). The final determination of Se(IV), and Se(VI) were done by hydride generation-atomic absorption spectrometry. The analytical merits of the method are reported. The method was applied to the selective determination of Se(IV), and Se(VI) in spiked river and lake water. Received: 6 December 1996/Revised: 1 April 1997/Accepted: 3 April 1997     

Development of a fibrinolytic surface: specific and non-specific binding of plasminogen

Plasminogen is the primary zymogen in the fibrinolytic pathway, and its primary function involves degradation of fibrin. Biomaterials often show adsorption of fibrinogen and subsequent formation of fibrin. Plasminogen's function in vivo could be adapted to facilitate its activation and fibrinolytic function on a biomaterial surface. In order to elucidate plasminogen function adsorbed to a model fibrinolytic surface ligands known to affect plasminogen properties in solution were attached to model silica surfaces to study the effects of immobilized ligands as fibrinolytic activators. Model silica surfaces were synthesized which contained covalently attached lysine moieties (surface I), sulfonate moieties (surface II) or a combination of both (surface III). Lysine moieties on these model surfaces interact specifically with multiple lysine-binding sites of plasminogen and induce a number of changes in conformation and function. Sulfonate moieties interact non-specifically with accessible lysine and arginine residues of plasminogen and also affect the function of plasminogen. Inherent physico-chemical properties monitored following plasminogen adsorption were activation to plasmin, enzymatic activity, fluorescent intensity, and fluorescent polarization, monitored by total internal reflection fluorescence, each of which are affected by plasminogen conformation.

Correlations were as follows: increased fluorescent intensity and decreased fluorescent polarization were indicative of plasminogen conformational changes and are correlated to increased enzymatic activity of plasmin. Surfaces I and III showed a 20% increase in fluorescent intensity, and a 25% and 8% decrease in fluorescent polarization, respectively, in comparison to surface II. The specific activity for surfaces I and III was increased 11.3 and 1.8 fold above that found for surface II. Plasminogen incubated with sulfonate groups in solution resulted in no increase in fluorescent intensity and a slight decrease in fluorescent polarization as compared with plasminogen alone and reduced specific activity of plasmin in the presence of sulfonate as compared with plasmin alone. Lysine or ε-aminocaproic acid (ACA) incubated with plasmin in solution showed a 30% and 10% increase in fluorescent intensity, a 24% and 5% decrease in fluorescent intensity, and maximum specific activity increased 3.6 and 2.5 fold, respectively, over plasminogen alone.

Interactions of plasminogen with ligands for its lysine-binding sites produced dramatic effects both in solution and adsorbed to model fibrinolytic surfaces. The characterization of these interactions along with known fibrin interactions will allow selection of appropriate surface modifications to enhance the fibrinolysis of thrombus formed at a biomaterial interface. These modifications may lead to a native-like surface structure to protein and cellular components of blood and create a more biocompatible surface.     

Rate constant of unimolecular decomposition of the radical (CH3)2juvyCCH(CH3)2

The energy of activation of CH ₃ ^. radical rupture from the radical (CH₃)₂juvyCCH(CH₃)₂ is 142.2 kJ mol^–1; the selfcombination rate constant is k_c {(CH₃)₂juvyCCH(CH₃)₂}=10^7.3 dm³ mol^–1 s^–1.

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CH ₃ ^. (CH₃)₂juvyCCH(CH₃)₂ 142,2 /, k_c {(CH₃)₂juvyCCH(CH₃)₂}=10^{7,3 3–1 –1}.

     

Kinetics and mechanism of the oxidation of benzyl alcohol by potassium chlorochromate

The kinetics of the oxidation of benzyl alcohol by potassium chlorochromate, KCrClO₃, has been studied in dimethyl sulfoxide-dichloromethane medium. The reaction is catalyzed by acid. The effects of temperature and solvent composition were studied and activation parameters evaluated. Probable mechanisms are discussed.

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, KCrClO₃, . . . .

     

Square, hexagonal, and row phases of PTCDA and PTCDI on Ag-Si(111)square root(3) x square root(3)R30 degrees

We have investigated the ordered phases of the perylene derivatives perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic-3,4,9,10-dianhydride (PTCDA) and the imide analogue PTCDI on the Ag-Si(111)square root(3) x square root(3)R30 degrees surface using scanning tunneling microscopy. We find that PTCDA forms square, hexagonal, and herringbone phases, which coexist on the surface. The existence of a square phase on a hexagonal surface is of particular interest and is a result of a near commensurability between the molecular dimensions and the surface lattice. Contrast variations across the square islands arise from PTCDA molecules binding to different sites on the surface. PTCDI on Ag-Si(111)square root(3) x square root(3)R30 degrees forms extended rows, as well as two-dimensional islands, both of which are stabilized by hydrogen bonding mediated by the presence of imide groups. We present models for the molecular arrangements in all these phases and highlight the role of hydrogen bonding in controlling this order.