Mutagenesis approaches to deduce structure-function relationships in terpene synthases

This review highlights mutagenesis studies of terpene synthases, specifically sesquiterpene synthases and oxidosqualene cyclases. Mutagenesis studies of these enzymes have provided mechanistic insights, structure-function relationships for specific enzymatic residues, novel terpene structures and enzymes with novel activities. The literature through 2002 is reviewed and 113 references cited.     

Determination of the valence distribution of vanadium in polyolefin catalysts prepared from vanadium trichloride

An electrochemical method has been developed for determining the relative amounts of V(II) and V(III) in polyolefin catalysts prepared using aluminum alkyls and vanadium trichloride. The catalyst, usually obtained as a slurry in n-heptane, is titrated potentiometrically with ceric sulfate using a platinum indicator electrode. Under proper experimental conditions, 2 breaks are obtained, corresponding to the reactions V(II) →V(III) + e and V(III) →V(IV) + e. Interferences from other components of the catalyst are negligible. The method is useful for the analysis of both laboratory catalysts and grab samples taken from pilot plant reactors.     

Characterisation of Tokaj wines based on free amino acids and biogenic amines using ion-exchange chromatography

Summary Tokaj wines (Szamorodni and Aszu wines) of Hungarian origin were investigated on the basis of free amino acids and biogenic amines. The separation and determination of these compounds was performed by an amino acid analyser equipped with an ion-exchange resin column. The total amount of free amino acids and biogenic amines was higher in Aszu wines than in Szamorodni wines. The main amino acids were proline and arginine, while the major biogenic amines were tyramine and putrescine. The free amino acid and biogenic amine content of Aszu wines depended on the vineyards the wines originated from. Presented at Balaton Symposium '01 on High-Performance Separation Methods, Siófok, Hungary, September 2–4, 2001     

Reactions of Acylpyruvic Acids and 2,3-Dihydrofuran-2,3-diones with 2,3-Diaminopyridine

Acylpyruvic acids readily react with 2,3-diaminopyridine to form (Z)-3-acylmethylene-1H-3,4-di- hydropyrido[2,3-b]pyrazin-2-ones. 5-Aryl-2,3-dihydrofuran-2,3-diones which can be regarded as lactones derived from -enolized aroylpyruvic acids react with 2,3-diaminopyridine under mild conditions, yielding regioisomeric (Z)-2-aroylmethylene-4H-1,2-dihydropyrido[2,3-b]pyrazin-3-ones. The structure of the products and reaction chemoselectivity are discussed.     

Fractionation and Determination of Different Lead Species in Contaminated Soils

A new approach was proposed to fractionating soil lead species differing in mobility and biological availability. Ground solid samples were retained as a stationary phase in a rotating coiled column while continuously pumping aqueous solutions of salts and complexing agents necessary for the sequential leaching of different element species. It was shown that field-flow fractionation in a rotating coiled column is suitable for separating three lead species in an automatic mode within 4 h, as compared to several days for conventional methods of sequential extraction. The study of lead elution curves at different fractionation steps provides additional information about its mobilization under changing environmental conditions.     

Glass and polymeric membrane electrodes for the measurement of pH in milk and cheese

While there is a considerable interest in the food industry in determining various analytes using ion-selective electrodes (ISEs), only few reports describe their use for direct measurements in food. In this study, the suitability of glass electrodes and ionophore-based solvent polymeric ISEs for the determination of pH in Process cheese, Cheddar cheese and milk was investigated. The liquid junction potential between a 3 M KCl bridge electrolyte and diluted as well as undiluted Process cheese was found to be negligible. Reference electrodes with ceramic plug and sleeve-type junctions performed well, although precautions needed to be taken to prevent plugging at the junctions. While the protein rennet casein posed no problems in pH measurements, the extraction of neutral lipophilic compounds or hydrophobic peptides into solvent polymeric membranes was evident, resulting in some loss of selectivity for monovalent cations upon exposure to cheese. However, it was found that ISEs based on tridodecylamine (R₃N) as ionophore and o-nitrophenyl octyl ether (oNPOE) as plasticizer can be used to accurately measure the pH of milk and, after desensitization of the electrodes in a cheese emulsion, of diluted Process cheese. Since pH measurements with a glass electrode showed that emulsions of cheese moderately diluted to a cheese content of 70% have the same pH as undiluted cheeses, it is possible to determine the pH in cheese with ionophore-based ISEs. R₃N membranes also performed well in undiluted milk.     

HeI-Photoelektronen-Spektrum von Cl-NSO

The ultraviolet photoelectron spectrum of the N-chlorothionylimide molecule (Cl-NSO) has been obtained and analyzed. The spectrum is interpreted by comparison with the known spectra of the parent compounds H-NSO, SO₂ and the related molecules Cl-NCO and H-NCO as well as with the aid ofab initio SCF-calculations in terms of ionization from the eight highest filled valence molecular orbitals in this molecule.

     

Natural radioactivity of building materials

Experiments were designed to measure trace uranium concentration and the rate of radon exhalation from masonry structural materials, both bare and surface finished and coated. LR115 cellulose nitrate track detectors were used to record the alpha emission from structural material surface. Fission track, neutron activation and fluorometric analysis methods were used to determine the uranium content. Most types of paints studied will reduce alpha contribution and radon emanation from building materials.     

Structural isomerism of mono- and sesquiterpenoid skeletons

A generator of chemical structures (CONGEN) has been utilized to investigate two aspects of the structural isomerism of mono- and sesquiterpenoid skeletons: (1) the scope of possible isomers under various structural constraints; and (2) the scope of possible isomers based on a mechanistic model which allows interactive exploration of reactions of formation and interconversion. The possibilities, even under severe constraints, are many more than the structural types commonly encountered in natural. These results indicate the potential danger of structural assignment based in part on biogenic grounds.     

Phthalocyanines and related compounds: XLII. Synthesis of phenyl-substituted tetraazachlorins and tetraazabacteriochlorins

New oxidation-resistant hexaphenyl-substituted tetramethyltetraazachlorin, its nickel complex, and tetraphenyl-substituted octamethyltetraazabacteriochlorin and octamethyltetraazaisobacteriochlorin nickel complexes were synthesized for the first time by mixed condensation of diphenylm aleonitrile with tetramethylsuccinonitrile in the presence of lithium dimethylaminoethoxide or nickel chloride. The products were characterized by electronic absorption, ¹H NMR, and mass spectra. Mixed condensation of diphenylsuccinonitrile with phthalonitrile in the presence of nickel chloride was found to give nickel complexes of phenylsubstituted benzo-fused tetraazaporphyrins rather than their hydrogenated derivatives.