Syntheses, structures, and surface aromaticity of the new carbaalane [(AlH)(6)(AlNMe(3))(2)(CCH(2)R)(6)] (R = Ph, CH(2)SiMe(3)) and a stepwise functionalization of the inner and outer sphere of the cluster

The reaction of the acetylene RC triple bond CH (R = Ph, CH(2)SiMe(3)) with an excess of AlH(3).NMe(3) in boiling toluene leads to the carbaalane [(AlH)(6)(AlNMe(3))(2)(CCH(2)R)(6)] (R = Ph 1, CH(2)SiMe(3) 2) in good yield. Treatment of 2 with BCl(3) under varying conditions gives the chlorinated products [(AlCl)(6)(AlNMe(3))(2)(CCH(2)CH(2)SiMe(3))(6)] 3 and [(AlCl)(6)(AlNMe(3))(2)(CCH(2)CH(2)SiMe(2)Cl)(6)] 4, respectively. The latter clearly demonstrates that the cluster can be stepwise functionalized within the inner and outer sphere. The X-ray single-crystal structures of 1, 2, and 4 have been determined. All compounds have in common that the central core consists of a cluster having eight aluminum and six carbon atoms. The bonding properties in this cluster are described as a new manifestation of three-dimensional surface aromaticity. Each Al(4)C fragment of the cube is formed by four bonds with three electron pairs, thus leading to a strong delocalization of the electrons. A phenomenological modeling using a three-dimensional Hückel scheme with fitted parameters to reproduce the energies from ab initio calculations revealed that the orbital scheme localized at one Al(4)C fragment possesses an orbital sextet with a large HOMO-LUMO gap. This is in line with the criteria of aromaticity. The idea of aromaticity was sustained also by qualitative valence bond reasons enumerating the different resonance structures by means of graph theoretical methods.     

Thioacylation reactions for the surface functionalization of phosphorus-containing dendrimers

The functionalization of phosphorus-containing dendrimers was easily achieved through thioacylation reactions involving new dendrimers capped with dithioester end groups and various functionalized amines. These reactions were successfully applied to the first generation (12 end groups) and the third generation of the dendrimer (48 end groups) and allowed their functionalization by various primary or secondary amines, alcohols, glycols, and azides. [reaction: see text]     

Synthesis of carbaalane halogen derivatives

The carbaalane halogen derivatives [(AlX)(6)(AlNMe(3))(2)(CCH(2)CH(2)SiMe(3))(6)] (X = F (9), Cl (7), Br (10), I (11)) were prepared in toluene from [(AlH)(6)(AlNMe(3))(2)(CCH(2)CH(2)SiMe(3))(6)] (6) and BF(3).OEt(2), BX(3) (X = Br, I), Me(3)SnF, and Me(3)SiX (X = Cl, Br, I), respectively. A partially halogenated product [(AlH)(2)(AlX)(4)(AlNMe(3))(2)(CCH(2)CH(2)SiMe(3))(6)] (12) (X = Cl (approximately 40%), Br (approximately 60%)) was obtained from 5 and impure BBr(3). [(AlH)(6)(AlNMe(3))(2)(CCH(2)Ph)(6)] (5) was converted to [(AlX)(6)(AlNMe(3))(2)(CCH(2)Ph)(6)] (X = F (13), Cl (14), Br (15), I (16)) using BF(3).OEt(2) and Me(3)SiX (X = Cl, Br, I), respectively. The X-ray single-crystal structures of 11.C(6)H(6), 12.3C(7)H(8), 13.6C(7)H(8), and 15.4C(7)H(8) were determined. Compounds 7 and 9-11 are soluble in benzene/toluene and could be well characterized by NMR spectroscopy and MS (EI) spectrometry. The results demonstrate the facile substitution of the hydridic hydrogen atoms in 5 and 6 by the halides with different reagents.     

Genome-based proteomics

Protein-protein interactions play crucial roles in various biological pathways and functions. Therefore, the characterization of protein levels and also the network of interactions within an organism would contribute considerably to the understanding of life. The availability of the human genome sequence has created a range of new possibilities for biomedical research. A crucial challenge is to utilize the genetic information for better understanding of protein distribution and function in normal as well as in pathological biological processes. In this review, we have focused on different platforms used for systematic genome-based proteome analyses. These technologies are in many ways complementary and should be seen as various ways to elucidate different functions of the proteome.     

Photoelectron spectroscopy of isolated multiply negatively charged oligonucleotides

Ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy in an ion beam was used to investigate the electronic properties of isolated DNA oligonucleotides [dA(5)-4H](4-) and [dT(5)-4H](4-), carrying four excess negative charges. We find the fourth adiabatic electron affinity to be slightly negative for [dA(5)-4H](4-), while it is positive for [dT(5)-4H](4-). This implies a significant influence of the base composition on energetics, which is in turn relevant for analytic applications and also for charge transport properties.     

Two types of intramolecular addition of an Al-N multiple-bonded monomer LAlNAr' arising from the reaction of LAl with N3Ar' (L = HC[(CMe)(NAr)]2, Ar' = 2,6-Ar2C6H3, Ar = 2,6-iPr2C6H3)

The reaction of beta-diketiminated aluminum(I) monomer LAl with a large bulky azide N3Ar' (L = HC(CMeNAr)2, Ar' = 2,6-Ar2C6H3, Ar = 2,6-iPr2C6H3) in the temperature range from -78 degrees C to room temperature affords two different isomers 2 and 3, which have been characterized by spectroscopic and X-ray structural analyses, as well as elemental analysis. The variable-temperature 1H NMR kinetic studies of this reaction indicate the existence of the monomer LAlNAr' (1) at low temperature and the thermal stability of the compounds increases in the order of 1 < 2 < 3.     

Structure Elucidation of the Diagnostic Product Ion at <Emphasis Type="Italic">m/z</Emphasis> 97 Derived from Androst-4-en-3-One-Based Steroids by ESI-CID and IRMPD Spectroscopy

Structure elucidation of steroids by mass spectrometry has been of great importance to various analytical arenas and numerous studies were conducted to provide evidence for the composition and origin of (tandem) mass spectrometry-derived product ions used to characterize and identify steroidal substances. The common product ion at m/z 97 generated from androst-4-ene-3-one analogs has been subject of various studies, including stable isotope-labeling and (high resolution/high accuracy) tandem mass spectrometry, but its gas-phase structure has never been confirmed. Using high resolution/high accuracy mass spectrometry and low resolution tandem mass spectrometry, density functional theory (DFT) calculation, and infrared multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD) spectroscopy employing a free electron laser, the structure of m/z 97 derived from testosterone was assigned to protonated 3-methyl-2-cyclopenten-1-one. This ion was identified in a set of six cyclic C₆H₉O⁺ isomers as computed at the B3LYP/6-311++G(2d,2p) level of theory (protonated 3-methyl-2-cyclopenten-1-one, 2-methyl-2-cyclopenten-1-one and 2-cyclohexen-1-one). Product ions of m/z 97 obtained from MS² and MS³ experiments of protonated 3-methyl-2-cyclopenten-1-one, 2-methyl-2-cyclopenten-1-one, 2-cyclohexen-1-one, and testosterone corroborated the suggested gas-phase ion structure, which was eventually substantiated by IRMPD spectroscopy yielding a spectrum that convincingly matched the predicted counterpart. Finally, the dissociation pathway of the protonated molecule of testosterone to m/z 97 was revisited and an alternative pathway was suggested that considers the exclusion of C-10 along with the inclusion of C-5, which was experimentally demonstrated with stable isotope labeling.     

Polychloride monoanions from [Cl3]- to [Cl9]- : a Raman spectroscopic and quantum chemical investigation

Polychloride monoanions stabilized by quaternary ammonium salts are investigated using Raman spectroscopy and state-of-the-art quantum-chemical calculations. A regular V-shaped pentachloride is characterized for the [N(Me)(4)][Cl(5)] salt, whereas a hockey-stick-like structure is tentatively assigned for [N(Et)(4)][Cl(2)???Cl(3)(-)]. Increasing the size of the cation to the quaternary ammonium salts [NPr(4)](+) and [NBu(4)](+) leads to the formation of the [Cl(3)](-) anion. The latter is found to be a pale yellow liquid at about 40 °C, whereas all the other compounds exist as powders. Further to these observations, the novel [Cl(9)](-) anion is characterized by low-temperature Raman spectroscopy in conjunction with quantum-chemical calculations.     

Self-assembly of class II hydrophobins on polar surfaces

Hydrophobins are structural proteins produced by filamentous fungi that are amphiphilic and function through self-assembling into structures such as membranes. They have diverse roles in the growth and development of fungi, for example in adhesion to substrates, for reducing surface tension to allow aerial growth, in forming protective coatings on spores and other structures. Hydrophobin membranes at the air-water interface and on hydrophobic solids are well studied, but understanding how hydrophobins can bind to a polar surface to make it more hydrophobic has remained unresolved. Here we have studied different class II hydrophobins for their ability to bind to polar surfaces that were immersed in buffer solution. We show here that the binding under some conditions results in a significant increase of water contact angle (WCA) on some surfaces. The highest contact angles were obtained on cationic surfaces where the hydrophobin HFBI has an average WCA of 62.6° at pH 9.0, HFBII an average of 69.0° at pH 8.0, and HFBIII had an average WCA of 61.9° at pH 8.0. The binding of the hydrophobins to the positively charged surface was shown to depend on both pH and ionic strength. The results are significant for understanding the mechanism for formation of structures such as the surface of mycelia or fungal spore coatings as well as for possible technical applications.