Tryptophan–water interaction in Monellin: Hydration patterns from molecular dynamics simulation

Femtosecond spectroscopy carried out earlier on Monellin and some other systems has given insights into the hydration dynamics of the proteins. In the present work, molecular dynamics simulations have been performed on Monellin to study the hydration dynamics. A method has been described to follow up the molecular events of the protein–water interactions in detail. The time constants of the survival correlation function match well with the reported experimental values. This validates the procedure, adapted here for Monellin, to investigate the hydration dynamics in general.     

Polymerization of methyl methacrylate with cupric laurate–benzoin system as initiator

The polymerization of methyl methacrylate initiated by cupric laurate in combination with benzoin has been investigated in carbon tetrachloride medium at 60°C. The rate of polymerization was found to be proportional to the square root of both cupric ion and benzoin concentrations, and to the 1.5th power of the monomer concentration. Spectral studies indicated that there is a complex formation between cupric ion and the monomer methyl methacrylate. A reaction scheme, based on initial formation of the complex and its subsequent reaction with benzoin to produce the free radicals responsible for initiation has been postulated to explain the observed results.     

Synthesis and studies of CuHg(NCX)4 (X = S,Se) and their complexes and application of the softness parameter in the elucidation of their structure

Complexes of CuHg(NCS)₄, CuHg(NCS)₂ (NCSe)₂ and CuHg(NCSe)₄ with tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, pyridine, 2-aminopyridine, nicotinamide, bipyridine and phenanthroline have been prepared and comparative studies made. Bipyridine and phenanthroline form cationic—anionic [CuL₃]²⁺ [Hg(SCN)₄]^2? (L = bipy, phen) complexes with CuHg(NCS)₄ and dinuclear bridged complexes with CuHg(NCSe)₄ and CuHg(NCS)₂ (NCSe)₂. For other ligands the nature of the complexes is binuclear or polynuclear. The comparative stability of the -XCN- bridge (X = S, Se) is CuHg(NCSe)₄ > CuHg(NCS)₂ (NCSe)₂ > CuHg(NCS)₄.     

Paper chromatography in the separation of ions

Summary A study has been made of the separation of alkali and alkaline earth metals. With mixtures of solvents, such as ethyl cellosolve, water and hydrochloric acid and acetone, water and hydrochloric acid in the ratio of 702010 and at different temperatures, a complete separation of alkaline earth metals was effected. Of the alkali metals only lithium, sodium and potassium could be separated from each other but rubidium and caesium always accompanied potassium.     

Effect of cholesterol on the properties of phospholipid membranes. 4. Interatomic voids

The properties of the interatomic voids present in fully hydrated dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC)-cholesterol mixed membranes of different compositions are analyzed in detail using a generalized variant of the Voronoi-Delaunay method on the basis of computer simulation results. The systems investigated are chosen from both sides of the DMPC-cholesterol miscibility gap; the pure DMPC bilayer has also been included in the analysis as a reference system. The results obtained show that the empty space is organized in a more compact way, forming larger voids in the presence than in the absence of cholesterol. The voids located in the region of the rigid cholesterol rings become, on average, less spherical, oriented more parallel with the membrane normal axis with increasing cholesterol concentration, whereas an opposite effect of cholesterol is observed in the middle of the membrane among the chain terminal methyl groups. In general, the preferential orientation of the voids is found to strongly correlate with that of the molecules in the hydrocarbon phase of the membranes. The membranes are found to contain rather large voids, the volume of which can be an order of magnitude larger than the largest spherical cavities present in the systems. These voids are elongated or branching channels rather than big empty holes. The voids located among the DMPC and cholesterol molecules are lying preferably parallel with the membrane normal axis. The existence of such empty channels can be of great importance in the cross-membrane permeation of small, uncharged penetrants, in particular, of polar molecules.     

Reactions of unsaturated aldehydes with cyclopentadiene in solvents of various polarities

The rate constants of cycloaddition of cyclopentadiene to unsaturated aldehydes in different solvents cannot be correlated with a single parameter, in particular, the Brownstein parameter. The data set can be fitted only by multiparameter equations in which the decisive factor increasing the reaction rate is the capability of a solvent for electrophilic solvation. The same parameter also governs the ratio of the endo and exo isomers of the addition product.     

A new oxidimetric reagent: potassium dichromate in a strong phosphoric acid medium—I Titrimetr1c determination of manganese

A new method has been developed for the direct titrimetric determination of manganese^II, depending on its oxidation to manganese^III with potassium dichromate at room temperature in a strong phosphoric acid medium using a potentiometric or photometric endpoint. Oxygen of the air does not interfere. The potentiometric method gives results to an accuracy within ± 0.3% for 20–150 mg of manganese/50 ml of titration solution; with the photometric method 5–17 mg of manganese/40 ml of titration solution can be determined with an error of 0.3–1.0% depending on the amount present. Potassium dichromate in 12.0M phosphoric acid has a formal redox potential of about 1.5 V and this reagent appears to have great possibilities in titrimetric analysis.     

Ruthenium(III) chloride catalyzed acylation of alcohols, phenols, thiols, and amines

Ruthenium(III) chloride catalyzes the acylation of a variety of phenols, alcohols, thiols, and amines under mild conditions. Some of the major advantages of this method are high yields, short reaction times, ease of operation, and compatibility with other protecting groups.