Thermoanalytical investigations of niobium(V) complexes of 4-isopropylphenol

Thermal behaviour of newly synthesized niobium(V) aryloxides of composition [NbCl_5−n (OC₆H₄CH(CH₃)₂-4) _n ] (where n = 1 → 5) synthesized by the reactions of niobium pentachloride with 4-isopropylphenol in predetermined molar ratios in carbon tetrachloride has been studied by thermogravimetric (TG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) techniques. The results showed that thermal decomposition of complex of composition [NbCl₄(OC₆H₄CH(CH₃)₂-4)] resulted in the formation of NbOCl₃ as the ultimate decompositional product while all other complexes yielded Nb₂O₅ as the final product of thermal decomposition. From the mathematical analysis of TG data, the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters viz. energy of activation, frequency factor, entropy of activation, etc. have been evaluated using Coats–Redfern equation.     

Free-standing nanogold membranes as scaffolds for enzyme immobilization

We demonstrate herein the formation of a free-standing gold nanoparticle membrane and its use in the immobilization of the enzyme, pepsin. The nanogold membrane is synthesized by the spontaneous reduction of aqueous chloroaurate ions at the liquid-liquid interface by the bifunctional molecule bis(2-(4-aminophenoxy)ethyl) ether (DAEE) taken in chloroform. This process results in the formation of a robust, malleable free-standing nanogold membrane consisting of gold nanoparticles embedded in a polymeric background. Recognizing that gold nanoparticles are excellent candidates for immobilization of enzymes, we have immobilized pepsin on the nanogold membrane, leading to a new class of biocatalyst. A highlight of the new pepsin-nanogold biocatalyst is the ease with which separation from the reaction medium may be achieved. The catalytic activity of pepsin in the bioconjugate was comparable to that of the free enzyme in solution. The pepsin-nanogold membrane bioconjugate material exhibited excellent biocatalytic activity over 10 successive reuse cycles as well as enhanced pH, temperature, and temporal stability.     

Antagonistic blue- and red-light regulation of cab-gene expression during photosynthetic adaptation in Scenedesmus obliquus.

During adaptation of the photosynthetic apparatus of the green alga Scenedesmus obliquus to various light qualities, the accumulation of chlorophylls and pigment-protein complexes (with specific consideration of chlorophyll a/b-binding (Cab) proteins) and cab-gene expression were determined. The fluence rate dependences for chlorophyll accumulation and cab-gene expression were very different. Very low fluence rates of violet (404 nm), blue (461 nm) and red (650 nm) light below the photosynthetic threshold, i.e. between 10(-3) and 10(-1) mumol m-2 s-1, inhibited all of these reactions in cells grown under heterotrophic conditions. At elevated fluence rates (above 1 mumol m-2 s-1), red light retained its negative regulation, whereas blue light stimulated pigment accumulation. Under autotrophic conditions the pattern was more complex, because chlorophyll accumulation was unaffected by light below the photosynthetic threshold. However, the expression of cab-genes was inhibited by red light but stimulated by blue light. Cells adapted to fluence rates, which ensured photosynthetic energy supply (above 1 mumol m-2 s-1), showed an increase in chlorophyll accumulation, blue light being more effective than red light. The results confirm and extend our previous discovery of two antagonistically acting photoreceptors in Scenedesmus which mediate and coordinate the complex functional and structural changes associated with photosynthetic adaptation. One of these receptor pigments is a blue-light receptor with positive action; the other is a violet-red-light receptor which can operate far below the photosynthetic threshold and exerts a negative regulation.     

Determination of urinary succinylacetone by capillary gas chromatography

The average analytical recovery of succinylacetone added to urine and separated by capillary gas chromatography was 69% for solvent extraction and 72% for anion exchange separation. Treating succinylacetone with hydroxylamine hydrochloride at a pH of less than 5 caused formation of a derivative separated by capillary gas chromatography into two isomers: 3-methyl-5- isoxazole propionate and 5-methyl-3- isoxazole propionate as their trimethylsilyl derivatives (molecular weight 227). In a pH greater than or equal to 5, succinylacetone dioxime was formed and separated into 3 isomers as their trimethylsilyl derivatives (molecular weight 404). Succinylacetone dioxime was converted to 3(5)-methyl-(3)5- isoxazole propionate whenever the pH of the solution was dropped to less than 5. Mass spectra of both derivatives are shown. This study demonstrates that capillary gas chromatography is suitable for use in urinary succinylacetone determination.     

Synthesis, characterization and interaction of a new chiral trinuclear complex [bis(aquodiaminotryptophanato) CuII–Sn2IV]chloride with calfthymus DNA

The new chiral trinuclear complex, [bis(aquodiaminotryptophanato)Cu^II–Sn₂^IV] chloride (1) was synthesized by employing a well-designed three-step pathway under anhydrous conditions. Interaction of the complex (1) with calf-thymus DNA was studied by spectrophotometry, cyclic voltammetry and viscosity measurements. The kinetic studies of calf-thymus DNA binding were carried out at 260 nm (λ_max of calf-thymus DNA) under pseudo-first order conditions. The rate constants, k_obs, were evaluated by the linear least squares regression method. The absorption spectra of the complex with calf-thymus DNA shows ‘hyperchromism’ which is attributed to the electrostatic interaction with calf-thymus DNA. The electrochemical behavior of complex (1) was studied in DMSO/H₂O (5:5) solution and showed a quasireversible Cu^II/Cu^I redox couple. The voltammetric studies of the complex in the absence and in the presence of DNA exhibit a shift in the formal potential E ⁰ and ratio of cathodic to anodic peak currents i_pa/i_pc indicating strong binding of the complex to calf-thymus DNA. The viscosity of DNA decreases with increasing concentration of the complex, suggesting that complex (1)binds to calf-thymus DNA by electrostatic association.     

Synthesis, spectral characterization and biological studies of some organotin(IV) complexes of L-proline, trans-hydroxy-L-proline and L-glutamine

New organotin(IV) complexes of the general formula R3Sn(L) (where R=Me, n-Bu and HL=L-proline; R=Me, Ph and HL=trans-hydroxy-L-proline and L-glutamine) and R2Sn(L)2 (where R=n-Bu, Ph and HL=L-proline; R=Ph, HL=trans-hydroxy-L-proline) have been synthesized by the reaction of RnSnCl(4-n) (where n=2 or 3) with sodium salt of the amino acid (HL). n-Bu2Sn(Pro)2 was synthesized by the reaction of n-Bu2SnO with L-proline under azeotropic removal of water. The bonding and coordination behavior in these complexes have been discussed on the basis of IR and 119Sn M?ssbauer spectroscopic studies in the solid-state. Their coordination behavior in solution has been discussed with the help of multinuclear (1H, 13C and 119Sn) NMR spectral studies. The 119Sn M?ssbauer and IR studies indicate that L-proline and trans-hydroxy-L-proline show similar coordination behavior towards organotin(IV) compounds. Pentacoordinate trigonal-bipyramidal and hexacoordinate octahedral structures, respectively, have been proposed for the tri- and diorganotin(IV) complexes of L-proline and trans-hydroxy-L-proline, in which the carboxylate group acts as bidentate group. L-glutamine shows different coordination behavior towards organotin(IV) compounds, it acts as monoanionic bidentate ligand coordinating through carboxylate and amino group. The triorganotin(IV) complexes of L-glutamine have been proposed to have trigonal-bipyramidal environment around tin. The newly synthesized complexes have been tested for their antiinflammatory and cardiovascular activities. Their LD50 values are >1000 mg kg-1.     

New organotin(IV) ascorbates: synthesis, spectral characterization, biological and potentiometric studies

New organotin(IV) ascorbates of the general formulae R(3)Sn(HAsc) (where R = Me , n-Pr, n-Bu and Ph) and R(2)Sn(Asc) (where R = n-Bu and Ph) have been synthesized by the reaction of R(n)SnCl(4-n) (where n = 2 or 3) with monosodium-l-ascorbate. The bonding and coordination behaviour in these complexes are discussed on the basis of UV-Vis, IR, Far-IR, (1)H and (13)C NMR, and (119)Sn Mossbauer spectroscopic studies. L-Ascorbic acid acts as a monoanionic bidentate ligand in R(3)Sn(HAsc) coordinating through O(1) and O(3). The Mossbauer studies together with IR and NMR studies suggest that for these polymeric derivatives, the polyhedron is trigonal bipyramidal around tin with three organic groups in the equatorial positions. In R(2)Sn(Asc), L-ascorbic acid acts as dianionic tetradentate ligand and a polymeric structure with octahedral geometry around tin with trans organic groups has been tentatively proposed. The complexes have been assayed for their anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular activity. Ph(2)Sn(Asc) has been found to show the highest activity among the studied complexes. It is suggested on the basis of potentiometric studies of Me(2)Sn(IV) and Me(3)Sn(IV) systems with L-ascorbic acid that under physiological conditions (pH = 7.0) Me(2)Sn(HAsc)(OH) (approximately 60%), Me(2)Sn(OH)(2) (approximately 40%) and Me(3)Sn(HAsc) (approximately 60%), Me(3)Sn(OH) (approximately 40%), respectively, are existing, which may be responsible for their biological activities.